Punta Cana Airport is about 195 km from Santo Domingo, 2 hours 30 minutes to over 3 hours depending on traffic entering the capital. A private transfer costs around US$150 to US$200 per vehicle in 2026, and the bus from Bávaro costs a fraction of that, about RD$450 to RD$500 per person according to published references worth confirming.
One question before you book: if your final destination is Santo Domingo, can you fly into Las Américas Airport (SDQ) instead? It is about 30 minutes from the Colonial Zone. This route makes sense if you're pairing Punta Cana beach time with days in the capital, or found a much cheaper flight into PUJ.
Reference prices (2026)
| Option | Price |
|---|---|
| Official airport taxi | US$180 to US$220 |
| Shared shuttle (per person) | US$25 to US$40 |
| Private car (1 to 3 people) | US$150 to US$200 |
| Van (up to about 10 people) | US$180 to US$260 |
Approximate 2026 prices, one way, to the Colonial Zone or the Polígono Central. We couldn't confirm a published official taxi fare; historical references are around US$200. Private cars and vans are per vehicle; the shared shuttle is per person with few departures. Some quotes exclude tolls, so ask.
One-way prices, approximate, based on posted fares and 2025 and 2026 quotes. Confirm the final price before you book.
Tolls
Several booths: the Coral ones, those on the bypass or highway near La Romana, and Las Américas near Santo Domingo's airport. Since January 2025 most charge RD$100 per car; in total budget about RD$400 to RD$600 one way (around US$6 to US$10).
The drive
Cars take the Autovía del Coral toward La Romana, bypass the city and continue on the eastern highway past San Pedro de Macorís, Juan Dolio and Boca Chica. They then join the Autopista Las Américas, pass Santo Domingo's airport and cross the bridge over the Ozama River into the city. It is four-lane highway almost all the way, with several toll booths.
The slow part is the end. From Boca Chica on, traffic thickens, and entering Santo Domingo at rush hour (roughly 7:00 to 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 to 7:00 p.m.) can add 30 to 45 minutes. Friday afternoons and Sundays when people return from the beach are the worst. There are service stations with restrooms and food along the way, handy on a drive of almost three hours.
The reverse trip, Santo Domingo to PUJ for a flight, needs a buffer: leave at least 5 hours before an international departure.
Which option suits you
With luggage or as a family, a pre-booked private transfer (US$150 to US$200) is the most direct option: terminal pickup, hotel drop-off, no changes. For groups of 5 to 10, a van (US$180 to US$260) cuts the per-person cost sharply. The official taxi tends to cost more, with references around US$200.
If you're traveling light on a budget, the bus is the real alternative. Expreso Bávaro and APTPRA leave from the Friusa stop in Bávaro (not from the airport) several times a day, the last in mid-afternoon according to published references, and arrive near Parque Enriquillo or Avenida Máximo Gómez in Santo Domingo. The ride takes about 3 to 3.5 hours. You need a taxi or Uber from the airport to Friusa first, about 20 minutes.
There are a few shared shuttles from the airport to the capital (about US$25 to US$40 per person) on fixed schedules with advance booking. Uber is unreliable here, as many drivers won't accept such long trips. A rental car is an option if you're comfortable in Dominican traffic, but dropping it in another city carries a fee.
Hotels in the area
- Billini Hotel
- Casas del XVI
- Hodelpa Nicolás de Ovando
- JW Marriott Hotel Santo Domingo
- InterContinental Real Santo Domingo
- Renaissance Santo Domingo Jaragua Hotel & Casino
- Embassy Suites by Hilton Santo Domingo
- Catalonia Santo Domingo
- Sheraton Santo Domingo
Tips
- Avoid arriving in Santo Domingo between 4:00 and 7:00 p.m. if you can: the last stretch can stretch by almost an hour.
- If you take the bus, buy the ticket at the stop at least 30 minutes ahead and confirm the last departure of the day.
- Ask whether your transfer includes tolls; on this route they add up to about RD$400 to RD$600 one way.
- Stop at a service station around San Pedro de Macorís or Juan Dolio if you're traveling with children.
- If your trip ends in Santo Domingo, consider flying home from SDQ instead of returning to PUJ.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the trip from PUJ to Santo Domingo?
Between 2 hours 30 minutes and 3 hours by private car, longer at rush hour. By bus, about 3 to 3.5 hours from Bávaro.
How much is a private transfer to Santo Domingo?
Around US$150 to US$200 per vehicle in 2026, and US$180 to US$260 by van.
Is there a bus from Punta Cana Airport to Santo Domingo?
Not directly from the terminal. Expreso Bávaro and APTPRA buses leave from Friusa in Bávaro, about 20 minutes from the airport, for about RD$450 to RD$500 per person.
How many tolls are there?
Several, most at RD$100 per car since January 2025. In total about RD$400 to RD$600 one way.
Everything about getting to Santo Domingo
Other airports to Santo Domingo
- La Isabela Airport (JBQ) to the Colonial Zone30 to 45 min
- Las Américas Airport (SDQ) to Piantini35 min to 1 h 15 min
- Las Américas Airport (SDQ) to the Zona Colonial30 to 50 min