Flights to Dominican Republic

The Dominican Republic is located in the Caribbean on the eastern two-thirds of the island of Hispaniola. The other one third of the island is occupied by Haiti. A mixture of old world colonialism and new world resorts, elements of both blend together in the Dominican Republic offering something for everyone who visits the island.

Santo Domingo, the capital of the Dominican Republic, is considered one of the most romantic spots in the Caribbean. The Zona Colonial, an intact colonial district, is a maze of wonderful old buildings dramatically situated on the river. The El Conde, an outdoor market, is also located in Santo Domingo. Here you will find street vendors, restaurants, cafes, and quaint little boutiques. The outdoor cafes are the perfect place to sit back and enjoy a Presidente, the local beer, or one of what locals call the three B’s of rum: Brugal, Barcelo, or Bermudez.

For a beach vacation you will want to head to Puerto Plata and neighboring Playa Dorado, the tourism capital of Santo Domingo. Puerto Plata is a bustling town with a vibrant nightlife. The old city has many historic buildings and is surrounded by the new city and concrete barrios. One kilometer east is the resort town of Playa Dorado. The resort is walled off and considered very safe for tourists. Within the walls are everything needed for a beach vacation- sun, sand, hip clubs, and comfortable lodging.

There are many modes of transportation in Santo Domingo, the tow most popular being bus and gua-guas. Gua-guas are old vans that serve as communal taxis. While you will get local flavor with a gua-gua and they are cheap, they are often overcrowded and dirty. You will also want to be wary of taxis as unlicensed drivers can be dangerous. Cocotours, Santo Domingo’s premier touring company, has offices in each city offering visitors safe and affordable transportation options.

There are seven airports in Santo Domingo; the busiest being Punta Cana which is located on the eastern side of the island. Most visitors to the island arrive and depart from Punta Cana’s airport. Most incoming European flights are routed through Madrid and many American cities have direct flights.

Once your flight has landed, you will be required to purchase a tourist card for $10.00 if you didn’t purchase one with your tour operator when you booked your vacation. You can get your card at the airport and will need one per family member. Taxis are easily found already lined up outside waiting for passengers. Hail one, climb in, and enjoy your stay in this Caribbean old world paradise.