Wheelchair-Accessible Transfers in the DR 2026

An accessible transfer in the Dominican Republic is almost always booked ahead with a private transfer company: some run vans with a ramp or lift and wheelchair tie-downs, but there are few. We found no reliable published rates; for reference, a standard van from Punta Cana airport to Bávaro is around US$40 to US$80 in 2026, and an adapted vehicle is usually quoted higher, often around US$80 to US$150. Airport assistance is requested through your airline at least 48 hours ahead.

The short version: If you can transfer from your chair to a seat and your chair folds, any private minivan works, and it helps to tell the company so the driver assists. If you use a power chair or need to ride in it, book a ramp or lift van and get the vehicle type, tie-downs and maximum chair dimensions in writing. Request assistance from the airline and share your flight number with the transfer company.

First: Which Vehicle You Need

“Accessible” is used loosely on booking platforms. Some tag any van with room for a folding chair in the back as accessible. Before you book, work out which of these is you:

Your situation	Vehicle that works	What to confirm
You walk a few steps and use a folding chair	Standard sedan, SUV or minivan	That the driver helps load the chair
You cannot walk but can transfer with help	Minivan with sliding door, low step	Step height, help with the transfer
Power chair or heavy scooter	Ramp or lift van	Chair weight and dimensions, ramp or lift
You need to ride seated in your chair	Ramp or lift van with tie-downs	4-point tie-down system and occupant belt

Send the company your chair’s dimensions (width, length, seated height) and weight. Adapted vans have load limits on the ramp or lift.

Airport Assistance

Punta Cana (PUJ)

Punta Cana airport has ramps throughout its terminals, signposted priority seating and reserved parking for passengers with reduced mobility. It is a member of the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower program for non-visible disabilities, with dedicated lines and counters, and has received a Level 1 accessibility accreditation from Airports Council International. More on the terminal in the Punta Cana airport guide.

Some aircraft stands at Punta Cana are served by stairs rather than a jet bridge, according to traveler reports. If you cannot manage stairs, ask your airline how disembarkation will work.

Santo Domingo (SDQ) and Other Airports

Las Américas, Puerto Plata, La Romana and the other international airports offer wheelchair assistance arranged by the airline. We found no official detail on the equipment at each (for example, high-lift vehicles for boarding), so ask when you book. See the Las Américas airport guide.

How to Request It

Ask your airline when booking or at least 48 hours before. Say whether you can walk short distances, climb stairs or need help to your seat.
If you bring your own chair, the airline will ask for type, dimensions and, for power chairs, the battery type.
On landing, staff take you through immigration and customs to the exit.
Tell your transfer company you are coming out with assistance: it can take 20 to 40 minutes longer than for the rest of the flight.

Booking an Adapted Transfer

Book early. One to two weeks ahead in low season, more in high season (December to April), because adapted vehicles are scarce.
Ask for photos of the vehicle with the ramp deployed.
Confirm in writing ramp or lift, tie-downs, an occupant belt for the person in the chair, and space for companions and luggage.
Ask about driver help: whether they know how to secure the chair and will assist with transfers.
Share your flight number so they track delays.
Have a plan B. If the adapted van breaks down, can they send a standard minivan with two people to help?

To compare prices on the most requested routes: Punta Cana airport to Bávaro, Punta Cana airport to Cap Cana and La Romana airport to Casa de Campo.

Public Transport and Accessibility

Intercity coaches: Caribe Tours advertises special seats for passengers with disabilities, but we found no information on lifts. There are steps to board. See intercity buses.
Guaguas and carros públicos: not accessible.
Uber and taxis: work with a folding chair if you can transfer to a seat. We found no app-based accessible vehicle service in the country.
Santo Domingo Metro: the most accessible public option in the capital, but check each station before relying on it.

At Your Destination

Many large resorts in Punta Cana and Bávaro have adapted rooms, boardwalks over the sand and, in some cases, amphibious beach chairs for getting into the sea. The Colonial Zone in Santo Domingo, by contrast, has cobblestones and narrow sidewalks. Outside tourist areas, sidewalks are uneven or missing. When you book the hotel, ask for specifics: door widths, a roll-in shower and the distance from the room to the restaurant and the beach.

In Bávaro, the hotels are close to the airport (about 20 to 30 minutes), which keeps time in the vehicle short. More in Bávaro.

Departure Day

The trip back to the airport needs as much care as the arrival. Ask the company for the same adapted van and confirm the pickup time the day before. Plan to be at the airport at least three hours before an international flight, plus drive time, because check-in with a wheelchair and assistance to the gate take longer.

If you travel with a power chair, carry a printout of the battery details the airline asked for; the counter may ask again. Keep removable parts (cushion, armrests, joystick) in your carry-on so they do not go missing in the hold.

What to Ask the Hotel Before Booking the Transfer

Whether the main entrance has a ramp or steps, and whether the van can stop right in front.
Whether the resort has an electric cart or staff to help you reach the room, at very spread-out properties.
Whether loaner wheelchairs are available, in case yours is damaged on the flight.

Excursions and Day Trips

Most excursion operators in Punta Cana use large coaches, open safari trucks or boats with steps, which are hard or impossible with a wheelchair. If you want to visit Santo Domingo, Altos de Chavón or a beach outside your resort, the more workable approach is to book the adapted van by the hour or for a full day, so you set the pace, the stops and the time at each place. Ask for the same driver who did your airport transfer if things went well; they will already know how your chair is secured.

Group Trips With a Traveler With Limited Mobility

At weddings and on family trips, often only one person needs the adapted vehicle. The practical approach is to book the adapted van for that person and a companion, and a standard van for everyone else. See group van transfers.

Before You Travel

Have ready: flight number, chair type and dimensions, whether you can transfer, number of companions and bags, and the exact hotel name. With that you can request an accessible transfer quote and confirm the vehicle before you pay.

Frequently asked questions

Are there wheelchair ramp vans in Punta Cana?

Yes, some private transfer companies run vans with a ramp or lift and wheelchair tie-downs, but there are few of them. Book ahead and confirm in writing that the vehicle has a ramp or lift, not just room for a folding chair.

How much is an accessible transfer from Punta Cana airport to Bávaro?

We found no reliable published rates for ramp vans. For reference, a standard van is around US$40 to US$80 one way in 2026, and an adapted vehicle is usually quoted higher, often around US$80 to US$150. Ask for a quote with the vehicle type confirmed.

How do I request a wheelchair at the airport?

Request assistance through your airline when booking or at least 48 hours before the flight. The airline coordinates with staff at the arrival airport, who take you from the aircraft through immigration and customs to the exit, where your transfer waits.

Can I use Uber or a taxi with a wheelchair?

With a folding chair, and if you can transfer to a seat, yes: it fits in the trunk of most cars and minivans. We found no app-based accessible vehicle service in the country. With a power chair, or if you need to ride seated in your chair, you need a booked ramp van.

Are intercity buses accessible?

Caribe Tours advertises special seats for passengers with disabilities, but coaches have steps and we found no information on lifts. Local guaguas are not accessible. For travel between cities, an adapted private transfer is the realistic option.

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