The Complete Punta Cana Airport Transfer Guide
Everything you need to get from PUJ to your resort smoothly — how arrivals work, what the taxi desk really costs, and how to book the smart way.
Punta Cana is one of the busiest airports in the Caribbean, and one of the most distinctive — its terminals are open-air, with thatched palm-leaf roofs and no walls, so you feel the warm Caribbean air the moment you step off the plane. It's privately owned and famously relaxed, but it's also busy, and arrivals can move slowly at peak times.
The flow is simple: disembark, pass through immigration (have your details ready), collect your bags, then clear customs and walk out into the arrivals area. The Dominican Republic tourist card is now bundled into most airfares, so for most visitors there's nothing extra to buy on arrival — but always check your airline's confirmation.
Open-air, thatched-roof terminals (Terminal A & Terminal B) · One of the Caribbean's busiest airports · Most resort areas are 15–60 minutes away · Local currency: Dominican peso (RD$), USD widely accepted
Unlike a city airport, Punta Cana doesn't have metered street taxis. Instead there's an official taxi desk with fixed zone rates, paid in cash. It's legitimate and safe, but the rates are set and climb quickly with distance — roughly US$35–40 to Bávaro, and considerably more to Uvero Alto, La Romana or Santo Domingo.
The catch is that you only find out the price after a long flight, you pay on the spot, and at busy times there can be a queue. As at any airport, be polite but firm with anyone who approaches you offering a ride before you reach the official desk or your booked driver — stick to your pre-arranged transfer.
There are two main ways to pre-book your ride, and the right one depends on your group and your patience.
Cheapest per person and often bundled into package holidays. The downside: it waits until the van is full, then stops at several resorts before yours — a 30-minute drive can become 90. Fine if you're on a tight budget and not in a hurry.
Your own vehicle, leaving when you land and going straight to your hotel. Fixed price per vehicle (not per person), so for two or more people it's often comparable to a shuttle — and far quicker and more comfortable.
With a pre-booked private transfer, your driver waits in the arrivals meet-and-greet area holding a sign with your name. Walk out after customs and look for it. If you can't spot your driver, don't wander off or accept another ride — call the number on your booking confirmation first; the dispatcher will locate your driver. Save that confirmation to your phone (and a screenshot, in case you're offline) before you travel.
Punta Cana's resort strips are packed with similarly named properties — multiple Riu, Barceló, Meliá and Iberostar hotels sit side by side, and Cap Cana is gated. Enter the full resort name and any reservation reference so your driver reaches the right lobby.
Tipping: not compulsory, but appreciated for good service — a few dollars per bag or around 10% of the fare is normal. US dollars or Dominican pesos are both fine; carry small bills.
Luggage: standard cases are included. If you're travelling with golf clubs, surf or dive gear, or unusual quantities, note it at booking so the right vehicle is assigned.
Money: the peso (RD$) is the local currency, but USD is accepted across the resort areas. Since pre-booked transfers are paid online in advance, you really only need a little cash for tips and incidentals.
Both KiwiTaxi and GetTransfer let you request a child or booster seat at booking. Add it in the notes — there may be a small fee, and requesting ahead ensures the seat is actually fitted when the car arrives. For families, the door-to-door certainty of a private transfer (no waiting in a hot van) is often the single biggest stress-saver of the trip.
It's easiest to book your return at the same time as your arrival. Give your departure flight time and the platform schedules a pickup with a sensible buffer — generally around three hours before an international flight out of PUJ, since check-in and the airport can be busy. You'll get a reminder and a confirmed pickup time before the day.