Cibao International Airport

Cibao International Airport (STI) is in Licey al Medio, about 15 km and 20 to 30 minutes from central Santiago de los Caballeros. In 2026 a taxi to the center cost around US$25 to US$35 and an UberX about RD$700 to RD$900 (roughly US$11 to US$14). Jarabacoa is about 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes away, and the Puerto Plata and Cabarete coast 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes.

It is one of the country's busiest airports, with over 2.2 million passengers in 2025, mostly Dominicans flying to New York, Newark, Boston, Miami and Philadelphia. JetBlue runs the most flights, alongside American, Delta, United, Frontier, Copa, Air Europa and Arajet. Few beach tourists use it, but it is the best option for Santiago, Jarabacoa and Constanza, and an alternative to Puerto Plata when fares are better.

Routes from STI

One-way prices, approximate, based on posted fares and 2025 and 2026 quotes. Confirm the final price before you book.

After landing

Fill in the E-Ticket before you fly. After immigration, baggage claim and customs you come out into arrivals, which in Santiago is usually packed with waiting families, especially in December and at Easter. Transfer drivers wait there with signs; agree on a specific spot with yours, because in the crowd it is easy to miss each other. Official taxis wait right outside the exit, at all hours.

Taxis

Official taxis wait at the stand outside the exit and have no meters: the price is agreed before you get in and depends on destination and number of passengers. As a 2026 guide: around US$25 to US$35 (RD$1,500 to RD$2,100) to central Santiago, US$45 to US$60 to Puerto Plata and US$50 to US$65 to Cabarete. SUVs cost more. Payment is in cash, pesos or dollars.

Uber and ride apps

Uber can pick up at STI, but only with UberX: Uber's official page says the in-app taxi option isn't available at this airport. Uber gives an average of about RD$959 for a 27-minute trip from STI; other guides put it at RD$700 to RD$900 to the center. You may have a short walk to the meeting point, and there are fewer drivers at night: if nobody shows within about ten minutes after 10 p.m., head to the taxi stand. We have no verified information on inDrive at the airport.

Terminals

International flights use a single terminal with six gates (B1 to B6), where arrivals and departures share one hall. There is a separate building for charter and domestic flights. A new terminal and runway extension have been under construction for several years; published opening dates range from mid 2026 to early 2027. Until then, expect detours and temporary signs around the works.

Practical details

Money: there is an ATM in the terminal for pesos on arrival. US dollars are accepted at the airport and by taxis.

Phone: Claro and Altice are the main carriers. A 2026 guide gives around RD$150 for a Claro prepaid SIM, without saying where it is sold at the airport. An eSIM bought before you fly avoids the line. There is free wifi in the terminal.

Late arrivals: several New York flights land at night. Taxis run all night; Uber has fewer drivers.

Tips

• For Jarabacoa, book the transfer: it is over an hour of highway and mountain road.
• Compare flights into STI and POP if you're going to Cabarete; the drive from STI is longer but the fare may be cheaper.
• In December the exit is packed with families, so agree an exact meeting spot with your driver.
• Agree the taxi price, and that it is per car, before you get in.

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