From Las Américas to Bávaro is about 190 km, 2 hours 10 minutes to nearly 3 hours on the eastern highway and the Autopista del Coral. A private transfer costs around US$150 to US$220 per car in 2026, and the official taxi about US$150 to US$170.
Few people choose this route for fun: if you are staying in Punta Cana, the usual move is to fly into Punta Cana airport (PUJ), 20 to 40 minutes from the hotels. Arriving through SDQ makes sense when the flight is much cheaper, when your airline only flies to Santo Domingo, or when you combine a few days in the capital with the beach. Before booking, add the transfer to the airfare: for a couple, the fare saving needs to beat the US$150 to US$220 car to be worth it.
Reference prices (2026)
| Option | Price |
|---|---|
| Official airport taxi | US$150 to US$170 |
| Private car (1 to 3 people) | US$150 to US$220 |
| Van (up to about 10 people) | US$190 to US$280 |
Approximate one-way prices in 2026. Sichala publishes US$150 to Punta Cana and US$170 to Uvero Alto. Private transfers are per vehicle for 1 to 3 people to Bávaro or Cap Cana, with tolls included in most quotes; Uvero Alto or Macao adds about US$20 to US$40. Round trip is roughly double, sometimes with a small discount. A night transfer may carry a surcharge.
One-way prices, approximate, based on posted fares and 2025 and 2026 quotes. Confirm the final price before you book.
Tolls
Two or three tolls on the Autopista del Coral and the La Romana bypass (the Coral 1 and Coral 2 plazas and, depending on the route, La Romana). Coral 1 rose to RD$100 for cars in January 2025; budget about RD$200 to RD$400 (US$3 to US$6) in total each way. You don't pay the Las Américas toll, which is on the city side.
The drive
From the airport you head east on the Autopista Las Américas, past Boca Chica and Juan Dolio, to San Pedro de Macorís. From there the highway continues to La Romana, skirts it on the bypass and joins the Autopista del Coral, a wide modern road that cuts northeast through cane fields, passes near Bayahíbe and reaches the Punta Cana area without going through Higüey. The last stretch links to the Boulevard Turístico del Este, the access road for Cap Cana, Bávaro and Uvero Alto.
The drive usually takes about 2 hours 15 minutes to Bávaro in normal traffic. What stretches it: leaving on a Friday afternoon or the eve of a holiday, when eastbound traffic builds at the tolls, and Holy Week (Semana Santa), the heaviest weekend of the year. Drivers usually make a 10-minute stop at a gas station with restrooms halfway.
At night the Coral highway is well paved but unevenly lit, and outside towns there are motorbikes without lights. With a professional driver that is fine; if you would be driving yourself after a long flight, think twice.
Which option suits you
For two or more people, a pre-booked private transfer is the logical choice: a fixed price, tolls included, the driver tracks your flight and waits in arrivals. The official taxi costs the same or a little less, but you can't book it with the same certainty if your flight lands very late.
Uber from SDQ to Punta Cana exists in the app, but travelers report that many drivers won't accept such a long ride at the app price, or ask for more in cash. Don't plan on it as your main option. We also found no reliable shared shuttles from SDQ: several services have dropped Santo Domingo from their routes.
For solo travelers on a tight budget, the alternative is to go into the capital (taxi or Uber) and take an Expreso Bávaro or APTPRA bus to Bávaro; fares run around US$10 to US$17 and the trip, with stops, comes close to 3 to 4 hours. Renting a car makes sense if you will explore the east and return it at PUJ, but check the one-way drop fee.
Hotels in the area
- Barceló Bávaro Palace
- JOIA Bávaro by Iberostar
- Paradisus Palma Real
- Meliá Punta Cana Beach
- Lopesan Costa Bávaro Resort, Spa & Casino
- Riu Palace Bávaro
- Majestic Elegance Punta Cana
- Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Punta Cana
Tips
- Always compare the fare to PUJ with the fare to SDQ plus US$150 to US$220 for the transfer before deciding.
- If you land after 8:00 pm, consider a night in the capital or Boca Chica and driving in the morning.
- Confirm whether the price includes tolls and a stop for water or a restroom.
- For Uvero Alto or Macao, add about 25 to 35 minutes to the drive.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a transfer from Santo Domingo airport to Punta Cana?
Around US$150 to US$220 per private car for 1 to 3 people in 2026, and about US$190 to US$280 by van. Sichala's official taxi fare is US$150 to Punta Cana and US$170 to Uvero Alto.
How long does it take from SDQ to Bávaro?
From 2 hours 10 minutes to nearly 3 hours for about 190 km, depending on traffic. Friday afternoons, holidays and Holy Week are the slowest times.
Can you take an Uber from Santo Domingo airport to Punta Cana?
The app allows it, but travelers report that many drivers decline or ask for extra cash. It is safer to book a private transfer or use the official taxi.
How many tolls are there from SDQ to Punta Cana?
Two or three on the Autopista del Coral and the La Romana bypass, about RD$100 each for cars; around RD$200 to RD$400 in total each way.
Everything about getting to Bávaro
Other airports to Bávaro
- La Romana Airport (LRM) to Bávaro1 h 15 min to 1 h 40 min
- Punta Cana Airport (PUJ) to Bávaro20 to 35 min
- Punta Cana Airport (PUJ) to Cabeza de Toro15 to 25 min