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Destinations

Flights to the Dominican Republic: Santo Domingo, Santiago and Punta Cana

The busiest Caribbean market from the US, with nonstops from Miami, Fort Lauderdale, New York, Newark and Boston. Entry form, airports, airlines, seasons and baggage, verified September 2026.

Verified September 2, 2026

The Dominican Republic is the biggest air market in the Caribbean: 10.3 million passengers flew between the US and the DR in the year to June 2025. Three airports matter for US travelers. Las Américas (SDQ) serves the capital and has the most flights. Cibao (STI) serves Santiago and the north, and is the closest airport to Haiti's northern border. Punta Cana (PUJ) is the resort airport on the east coast. For Haitian families, the DR is both a destination in its own right and a plan B for reaching the north of Haiti overland when Cap-Haïtien flights are full.

Entry requirements

US citizens and most visitors complete the free electronic entry and exit form at migracion.gob.do before travel and show the QR code at immigration. The tourist card fee is included in the airfare. Haitian passport holders need a Dominican visa obtained in advance; the process has tightened since 2024 and can take weeks, so start early and ask us if you are unsure.

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Airports

SDQ is 30 km east of Santo Domingo, busy and slow at check-in in holiday weeks; arrive three hours ahead. STI is compact and quick, 15 km from Santiago, two hours from Dajabón. PUJ is efficient with e-gates and resort transfer desks in arrivals.

Airlines

Best time to fly

Fares rise for Christmas, Semana Santa and July to August. February to early April and September to early November are the value months. Hurricane risk is highest in September and October on the east coast.

Baggage realities

American Main Cabin and Delta Main include one 50 lb bag; JetBlue Blue Basic and Spirit include none; JetBlue Blue Plus includes one. Spirit's checked limit is 40 lb. Compare all-in totals for a family with suitcases; the cheapest headline fare is rarely the cheapest trip.

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Safety

The State Department rates the Dominican Republic Level 2, Exercise Increased Caution, mainly for crime in urban areas. Resort zones and Santiago are generally calm. Check the current advisory at travel.state.gov before you fly.

Read the State Department advisory

Money, SIM cards and getting around

Money: Dominican pesos; ATMs are everywhere and cards work in cities and resorts. SIM: Claro and Altice sell tourist SIMs at the airports. Transport: official airport taxis have posted rates; Caribe Tours and Metro coaches link Santo Domingo, Santiago and the north. For Dajabón and Haiti, use a pre-arranged driver and cross before 2 pm.

Routes to Dominican Republic