When planning your trip to Cabarete, deciding where to land may seem like an obvious choice: Puerto Plata – the closest airport! However, a quick scan of flight prices will reveal that this isn’t always the cheapest option, so you may be considering other airports. To help you decide, we’ve written this essential Dominican Republic airport guide on how to get to Cabarete from each airport.
Skip to:
- General Tips
- The Airports at a Glance.
- Puerto Plata
- Santiago de los Caballeros
- Santo Domingo
- Punta Cana
General Tips
- When leaving an airport, try to have a mix of US dollars and pesos in small change. Many types of transport won’t have change available.
- Although you can rent a car at most airports we advise against this unless you are an experienced traveller The roads and driving style in the DR are likely to be a major change of pace.
- The times and prices shown here are averages at the time of writing, but are subject to change over time. Also, bear in mind that prices can be negotiable in certain circumstances!
- If travelling by taxi, you’ll likely be charged around $10 extra if you have large equipment like windsurfing gear.
The Airports at a Glance.
While there are eight international airports in the Dominican Republic, this article will only cover the four most relevant. Below are the airports listed from closest to furthest from Cabarete along with average journey times:
Puerto Plata Gregorio Luperón International Airport
Distance: 12.2 miles – Travel time: 20-40 minutes
Santiago de los Caballeros Cibao International Airport
Distance: 42.44 miles – Travel Time: 1.5-3 hours
Santo Domingo Las Américas International Airport
Distance: 146.44 miles – Travel Time: 4-7 hours
Punta Cana International Airport
Distance: 239.54 miles – Travel Time: 5-9 hours
Puerto Plata Gregorio Luperón International Airport
This airport is by far the closest and cheapest to travel to Cabarete from. In most cases, the convenience of Puerto Plata airport is just too good to ignore and it is the most popular option with travellers. Here are the best ways to get to Cabarete:
By taxi:
The easiest and most comfortable transport option is to jump in one of the many taxi vans outside the airport. Alternatively, we’d be happy to arrange a taxi for you!
Cost: $35-40USD/$RD1750-2000
Travel time: 20-30 minutes
By public transport:
This is only recommended if you are travelling very light, as few of these options have space for luggage. You have the choice of a guagua (public mini-bus), motoconcho (motorcycle taxi) or carrito (budget taxi). To hail any of these, you’ll need to walk out to the main road.
Cost: $RD30-100
Travel time: 30-40 minutes
Santiago de los Caballeros Cibao International Airport
When balancing cost and convenience, Cibao International Airport is the next best option after Puerto Plata. Here are the options for travelling to Cabarete:
By taxi:
Again, the easiest and most convenient way of getting to your vacation rental is by taxi. You can either grab a taxi at the airport, or let us organise one for you. Make sure the taxi driver has a card displayed showing they are a registered driver. Please bear in mind that prices will be higher at night!
Cost: $100USD/$RD5000
Travel time: 1.5 hours
By public transport:
Taking public transport to Cabarete from Cibao International Airport will take a number of steps, but can be a pretty cost effective way to travel. Here are the necessary steps:
Take a 15 minute taxi from the airport to either Metro or Caribe tours station for $15-20USD.
Buy a ticket to Sosua:
- Caribe Tours will cost around $RD100 and take 2 hours. Click here for the schedule.
- Metro bus will cost $RD160 and take around 1.5 hours. Click here for the schedule.
When you arrive in Sosua, you can then take a guagua, motoconcho or carrito for $RD25-100. Alternatively, take an airport taxi for around $RD500 and be in Cabarete in 15 minutes!
Cost: $17-35USD
Travel time: 3 hours
Santo Domingo Las Américas International Airport
Given this airport is in the capital, it is often the destination of many conveniently timed flights. Bear in mind, however, that if you choose this airport you will likely need to set aside a whole day for travel. Here are your options:
By taxi:
Unsurprisingly, travelling by taxi is again the easiest way to get to Cabarete from Las Américas International Airport. Upon exiting the airport you’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to taxi drivers, so just make sure they have a registration card displayed.
Cost: $200USD
Travel time: 4 hours
By public transport:
Once again, getting to Cabarete this way is cheaper but takes several steps:
Take a 30 minute taxi from the airport to either Metro or Caribe tours station for $20-25USD.
Buy a ticket to Sosua:
- Caribe Tours will cost around $RD330 and take 5 hours. Click here for the schedule.
- Metro bus will cost $RD360 and take around 4 hours. Click here for the schedule.
From Sosua, you can catch a guagua, motoconcho or carrito for $RD25-100. Alternatively, grab a taxi for around $RD500 and be in Cabarete in 15 minutes!
Cost: $28-42USD
Travel time: 6-7 hours
Punta Cana International Airport
Last but not least, we have the furthest (and priciest) option: Punta Cana International Airport. You might be thinking why this is an option at all, but as it happens, this airport regularly has the cheapest flights available. As you’ll see below, however, the cost saving may not be worth the hassle.
By taxi:
So far on our list, taxi has been the easiest mode of transport, and coming from Punta Cana is no different. Taxi vans are readily available at the airport, and properly registered ones will have their cards on display.
Cost: $400USD
Travel time: 5-6 hours
By public transport:
Of all the public transport options described so far, this one features the most stops:
Hail a taxi from the airport to the Bavaro Express Terminal for around $30USD.
Buy a ticket to Santo Domingo (Parque Enriquillo). This will cost around $RD400 and take approximately 3 hours. It is important to get to the Bavaro Express Terminal around 45 minutes before the departure time to secure a ticket. Click here for the schedule.
Catch a 5 minute taxi to either the Caribe Tours or Metro Bus station for around $RD300.
Buy a ticket to Sosua:
- Caribe Tours will cost around $RD330 and take 5 hours. Click here for the schedule.
- Metro bus will cost $RD360 and take around 4 hours. Click here for the schedule.
From Sosua, all the options described previously are available to you: guagua, motoconcho, carrito or taxi.
Cost: $50-60USD
Travel time: 9 hours
And there you have it – the best ways to get from the four main airports to Cabarete. Have you found other more convenient or cost effective ways to get to Cabarete? Let us know in the comments below!