Cibao Airport (STI) to Cabarete

STI to Cabarete is about 70 km via the mountain road through Moca and Jamao al Norte, a 90 to 120 minute drive. In 2026 a private transfer costs around US$90 to US$150 and the airport taxi is negotiated at around US$55 to US$80.

As with Puerto Plata, the reason to land in Santiago is usually the flight: there are more frequencies from the northeastern United States. What's specific to Cabarete is that you don't need to go through Puerto Plata. Santiago's airport is east of the city, near Moca, and from there a road crosses the Cordillera Septentrional and drops to the coast between Sosúa and Cabarete. If the driver prefers to avoid the mountain, the alternative is via Santiago and Puerto Plata and then along the coast, longer but on wider roads.

Reference prices (2026)

Approximate 2026 prices, one way, per vehicle. A recent guide puts the airport taxi at US$50 to US$65; we widened that because it's negotiated and depends on the route. If you're bringing kite or surf boards, book a van or a car with a roof rack. Transfers via the longer Puerto Plata route may cost a bit more.

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

Tolls

None via the Moca and Jamao al Norte route. If the driver goes via Santiago and Puerto Plata and uses the Circunvalación Norte, there may be a toll of around RD$100 (current rate not confirmed).

The drive

The mountain route runs from the airport toward Moca, a farming city in the Cibao, then climbs the Jamao al Norte road. It's a two-lane road with many bends through coffee farms and humid forest, small villages, speed bumps and slow trucks. On the far side it drops toward the coast and joins Highway 5 near Sabaneta de Yásica, a few minutes from Cabarete.

By day it's a scenic drive; at night, in rain or with fog at the top, it's slow and calls for a driver who knows the road. The alternative via Santiago, Navarrete and Puerto Plata adds about 40 km but uses wider roads; from Puerto Plata it's another 35 to 45 minutes along the coast to Cabarete.

Which option suits you

Private transfer: the sensible choice, especially with boards or kids. Ask which route they'll take; at night the Puerto Plata route is more predictable even if longer.

Airport taxi: possible if you negotiate. Make sure the price is to your Cabarete hotel and not just to Sosúa.

Uber: you can try from STI, but a nearly two-hour trip across the mountains isn't always accepted, so confirm with the driver before loading your bags.

Bus: there's no convenient direct service. You'd take a bus from Santiago to Sosúa or Puerto Plata (Caribe Tours, Metro Tours) and then a taxi or guagua to Cabarete, plus a ride from the airport to the terminal first. Only for very light travelers.

Rental car: useful if you're spending weeks in Cabarete. Do the first drive by day and, if in doubt, take the Puerto Plata route.

Alternative: if there's a POP flight at a similar price, Cabarete is just 30 minutes from that airport.

Hotels in the area

• Millennium Resort & Spa
• Velero Beach Resort
• Viva Tangerine by Wyndham
• Hotel Villa Taina
• Celuisma Cabarete
• Natura Cabana Boutique Hotel & Spa
• Sea Horse Ranch

Tips

• If your flight lands at night, ask for the Puerto Plata route even though it takes a bit longer.
• Give board bag sizes when booking; on the mountain road you don't want boards loosely tied on the roof.
• There are few places to stop on the Jamao road; buy water and a snack at the airport.
• For the return, leave Cabarete about 4 hours before an international flight from STI.

Everything about getting to Cabarete

• CabareteDestinations
• Beaches in the area on Beaches.dobeaches.do

Other airports to Cabarete

• Puerto Plata Airport (POP) to Cabarete25 to 40 min
• Puerto Plata Airport (POP) to Río San Juan1 h 15 min to 1 h 40 min

Other routes from STI

• Jarabacoa55 km · 1 h to 1 h 20 min
• Puerto Plata90 km · 1 h 20 min to 1 h 50 min
• Santiago de los Caballeros17 km · 20 to 35 min