Las Américas International Airport (SDQ) is about 30 km from the Zona Colonial, 30 to 50 minutes depending on traffic, and about 35 km from Piantini, 40 to 60 minutes. La Isabela or El Higüero airport (JBQ), north of the city, is closer to the center but mainly handles domestic and regional flights.
Santo Domingo is the largest city in the island Caribbean and the only one in the country with a metro. Uber works well here, even from the airport, and traffic is what drives transfer times.
Nearby airports
| Airports | Distance | Drive time | |
|---|---|---|---|
| SDQ · Las Américas Airport | 30 km | 30 to 50 min | The capital's main airport, to the east by the sea. Official taxis and Uber with an assigned pickup point. |
| JBQ · La Isabela Airport (El Higüero) | 20 km | 25 to 45 min | To the north, closer to the business district. Mainly domestic, regional and private flights. |
| PUJ · Punta Cana Airport | 195 km | 2 h 30 min to 3 h | Only if you are combining with Punta Cana or the flight is much cheaper. |
Which airport to fly into
Almost all international flights to the capital land at Las Américas (SDQ), east of the city. From there you drive in on the seafront Autopista Las Américas and cross the Ozama River to the Zona Colonial (30 to 50 minutes), or carry on to the central business district of Piantini, Naco and Evaristo Morales (40 to 60 minutes, more at rush hour).
La Isabela or El Higüero (JBQ), in Santo Domingo Norte, is about 25 to 45 minutes from the business district and makes sense if your domestic or regional flight uses it. Punta Cana (PUJ) is 2.5 to 3 hours away: only worth it if you are combining the capital with the east coast or the flight is much cheaper.
Transfer routes to Santo Domingo
- Punta Cana Airport (PUJ) to Santo Domingo2 h 30 min to 3 h 20 min · US$150 to US$200
- Las Américas Airport (SDQ) to Piantini35 min to 1 h 15 min · US$40 to US$65
- Las Américas Airport (SDQ) to the Zona Colonial30 to 50 min · US$35 to US$60
- La Isabela Airport (JBQ) to the Colonial Zone30 to 45 min · US$40 to US$60
- Santo Domingo to Las Terrenas2 h to 2 h 45 min
- Santo Domingo to Puerto Plata3 h to 3 h 45 min
- Santo Domingo to Punta Cana2 h 30 min to 3 h 15 min
- Santo Domingo to Santiago2 h to 2 h 45 min
Areas and transfer times
The Zona Colonial, by the Ozama River, is the tourist area closest to SDQ: 30 to 50 minutes. It has boutique hotels, restaurants and almost everything within walking distance. Gazcue and the Malecón, just to the west, are 5 to 10 minutes farther and have seafront hotels. Piantini, Naco and Evaristo Morales, the central business district, are 40 to 60 minutes from SDQ and only 25 to 35 from JBQ; this is the area of business hotels, malls and restaurants.
Santo Domingo Este, between the airport and the river, is the closest option to SDQ (15 to 25 minutes), handy for very early flights. If your flight leaves at dawn, also consider Boca Chica, 10 minutes from the airport.
Hotels in Santo Domingo
Pick your hotel to get a transfer quote from the airport.
Zona Colonial
- Casas del XVI
- Hodelpa Nicolás de Ovando
- Billini Hotel
- Hotel Conde de Peñalba
- Hotel Palacio
- Hotel Doña Elvira
- El Beaterío Guest House
- Hotel Boutique Casa Sánchez
- Hodelpa Caribe Colonial
Malecón
- Renaissance Santo Domingo Jaragua Hotel & Casino
- Sheraton Santo Domingo
- Catalonia Santo Domingo
- Crowne Plaza Santo Domingo
- Hilton Santo Domingo
- Hotel Napolitano
Piantini
- JW Marriott Hotel Santo Domingo
- InterContinental Real Santo Domingo
- Embassy Suites by Hilton Santo Domingo
- Aloft Santo Domingo Piantini
- Hilton Garden Inn Santo Domingo Piantini
- Holiday Inn Santo Domingo
Gazcue
Bella Vista
Getting around
Uber is the most practical way to get around Santo Domingo, and it also works from SDQ: in May 2025 Uber announced an agreement with Aerodom, the airport operator, and the app shows the assigned pickup point at the terminal. Official airport taxis charge fixed fares by zone. inDrive also operates in the city.
The Santo Domingo Metro has two lines and a cable car in the north; it is cheap and useful for crossing the city without traffic, though it does not run into the heart of the Zona Colonial or to the airport. Carros públicos or conchos (shared cars on fixed routes) and guaguas cover the main avenues for a few dozen pesos, but they are crowded and Spanish only. Motoconchos exist, but with Uber this easy there is no need for them.
The Zona Colonial is walkable, as are the Malecón and Gazcue. Between the business district and the Zona Colonial, allow 15 to 30 minutes by Uber depending on traffic.
Tips
- Avoid arriving at or heading to SDQ between 5 and 8 p.m. on weekdays: traffic can double the time.
- For Uber at SDQ, follow the pickup point the app shows instead of waiting at the taxi curb.
- Use the metro to cross the city at rush hour.
- If you have a domestic flight, check whether it leaves from JBQ rather than SDQ.
Frequently asked questions
How long from SDQ to the Zona Colonial?
30 to 50 minutes, about 30 km on the Autopista Las Américas, depending on traffic.
Can I get an Uber at Las Américas Airport?
Yes. Since 2025 Uber has an agreement with the airport operator and the app shows you the pickup point. Check the app when you land.
What is JBQ airport?
It is La Isabela or El Higüero, in Santo Domingo Norte. It mainly handles domestic, regional and private flights and is closer to the business district than SDQ.
Can you walk around Santo Domingo?
The Zona Colonial, Gazcue and the Malecón, yes. Between neighborhoods, distances and traffic make Uber or the metro more practical.