How to Get from Santo Domingo Airport (SDQ) to Punta Cana Hotels

If your flight lands at Santo Domingo Airport (SDQ / Las Americas International) and your hotel is in Punta Cana, you have a 160 to 200 km drive ahead of you. The trip takes 2 to 3 hours on Autopista del Coral, depending on which resort zone you are headed to. Below you will find every option for making that trip, including pricing, drive times, and a full resort-by-resort distance table covering 60+ hotels.

TL;DR — SDQ to Punta Cana Transfer Summary

• Private transfer: $80–$140 total, 2–2.5 hours, door-to-door to your resort.

• Shared shuttle: $25–$30 per person, 3–3.5 hours with multiple stops.

• Public bus: ~$33–$49 total, 4.5–5.5 hours (bus does not leave from SDQ airport).

• Pre-booking saves $40–$50 vs. negotiating with airport taxi drivers on arrival.

Why Do Some Travelers Fly into SDQ Instead of PUJ?

Key fact: Flights through Santo Domingo (SDQ) can cost $100–$200 less than Punta Cana (PUJ), especially from secondary U.S. cities and Latin American hubs.

Source: PrimeTraveler Editorial • Reviewed on February 24, 2026

Most travelers headed to Punta Cana resorts fly directly into Punta Cana International Airport (PUJ), which is only 20 to 45 minutes from most hotels. But there are real reasons people end up at Santo Domingo's Las Americas airport instead:

• Cheaper airfare: flights through Santo Domingo can be $100 to $200 less, especially from secondary U.S. cities and Latin American hubs.

• Connecting flights: if you are flying from Europe, South America, or Central America, many routes connect through SDQ.

• City + beach combo: travelers who want to spend a day or two in Santo Domingo's Colonial Zone before heading to the beach.

• Limited PUJ availability: during peak holidays (Christmas, Easter, spring break), PUJ flights sell out first.

If you land at SDQ and need to reach Punta Cana, the key question is: what is the best way to cover those 160 to 200 km? Here is a direct comparison.

What Are the Transfer Options from SDQ to Punta Cana?

Key fact: A pre-booked private transfer from SDQ to Punta Cana costs $80–$100 for 1–4 passengers and takes 2–2.5 hours on Autopista del Coral.

Source: PrimeTraveler Editorial • Reviewed on February 24, 2026

Bottom line: a pre-booked private transfer ($80 to $100 for 1-4 passengers) is the best value for most travelers. Per-person cost drops significantly for couples and families compared to shared shuttles, and you save 1 to 2 hours vs. the bus. For solo travelers on a tight budget, the shared shuttle at $25 to $30 is a solid option.

What Is a Private Transfer from SDQ to Punta Cana Like?

Key fact: Private SDQ-to-Punta Cana transfers include real-time flight monitoring, meet-and-greet at arrivals, and direct door-to-door service with free child car seats.

Source: PrimeTraveler Editorial • Reviewed on February 24, 2026

When you book a private transfer from SDQ to Punta Cana, here is how the process works:

1. Book online with your flight number, hotel name, and number of passengers.

2. Flight monitoring: the transfer company tracks your arrival in real time and adjusts pickup if your flight is early or delayed.

3. Meet-and-greet: your driver waits at the arrivals hall holding a sign with your name. No hunting for a taxi stand.

4. Direct route: the driver takes Autopista del Coral east, straight to your resort. No stops unless you request them.

5. Hotel drop-off: you are dropped at your resort lobby. Some resorts have a specific transfer drop-off area; the driver knows where to go.

Child car seats (infant, toddler, and booster) are available at no extra charge when requested at booking. The vehicle options typically include a sedan or SUV for 1 to 4 passengers and a van for 5 to 8 passengers.

How Do Shared Shuttles from SDQ to Punta Cana Work?

Key fact: Shared shuttles from SDQ airport cost $25–$30 per person and take 3–3.5 hours with multiple hotel stops.

Source: PrimeTraveler Editorial • Reviewed on February 24, 2026

Shared shuttles collect passengers from SDQ airport and make multiple hotel stops in the Punta Cana area. What to know:

• Price: $25 to $30 per person, one way.

• Schedule: departures are grouped by flight arrivals. You may wait 30 to 60 minutes at the airport for the shuttle to fill up.

• Stops: the shuttle drops passengers at 3 to 6 different hotels. Your stop might be first or last.

• Total time: plan for 3 to 3.5 hours door-to-door including the wait and all stops.

• Luggage: standard luggage included. Oversized items (surfboards, golf bags) should be confirmed when booking.

Shared shuttles are a good deal for solo travelers. For 2+ passengers, a private transfer is almost the same total cost and saves at least an hour.

Can I Take a Bus from Santo Domingo Airport to Punta Cana?

Key fact: The Expreso Bavaro bus costs ~$8–$9 but does not depart from SDQ airport — total cost including taxis is $33–$49 and the trip takes 4.5–5.5 hours.

Source: PrimeTraveler Editorial • Reviewed on February 24, 2026

The Expreso Bavaro bus runs between Santo Domingo and the Bavaro area. However, it does not depart from SDQ airport. Here is the actual process:

1. Take a taxi or Uber from SDQ airport to the bus terminal in Santo Domingo (~20 min, $15 to $20).

2. Buy a ticket for the Expreso Bavaro (~$8 to $9).

3. The bus takes approximately 3.5 to 4 hours to reach Bavaro with stops.

4. From the Bavaro bus stop, you need a local taxi to your resort (~$10 to $20).

Total cost: roughly $33 to $49. Total time: 4.5 to 5.5 hours. The bus is the cheapest option on paper, but once you add the airport taxi and the local taxi at the other end, the price gap with a shared shuttle narrows significantly. The bus also does not run after approximately 6 PM.

Should I Rent a Car from SDQ to Drive to Punta Cana?

Key fact: Renting a car at SDQ costs $35–$60/day plus $5–$8 in tolls and $15–$20 in fuel for the 2–2.5 hour drive to Punta Cana.

Source: PrimeTraveler Editorial • Reviewed on February 24, 2026

Renting a car at SDQ airport is straightforward. Several agencies operate in the arrivals terminal. Key considerations:

• Route: take Autopista del Coral (Hwy 3) east. It is a modern divided highway with toll booths. Total tolls: approximately $5 to $8 each way.

• Drive time: about 2 to 2.5 hours to Bavaro, depending on traffic leaving Santo Domingo.

• Fuel: approximately $15 to $20 in gas each way for a standard vehicle.

• Rental cost: $35 to $60 per day for a compact or midsize vehicle, depending on season and insurance.

• Parking: most Punta Cana resorts have free guest parking.

• Driving conditions: the highway itself is good. City driving in Santo Domingo can be chaotic. Night driving on rural stretches requires caution - watch for motorcycles without lights and occasional livestock.

A rental car makes sense if you plan to explore beyond your resort - visiting multiple beaches, restaurants in Bavaro town, or day trips to Higuey or Saona Island. For a pure resort vacation, a transfer is simpler and cheaper.

SDQ or PUJ: Which Airport Is Better for Punta Cana?

Key fact: SDQ transfers cost $45–$85 more than PUJ, but savings of $150+ per person on airfare can make Santo Domingo the cheaper overall route to Punta Cana.

Source: PrimeTraveler Editorial • Reviewed on February 24, 2026

The math: if SDQ airfare is $150+ cheaper per person, the extra transfer cost ($45 to $85 more than PUJ) can still leave you ahead, especially for couples and groups. Add a free morning in Santo Domingo's Colonial Zone and the SDQ route becomes a genuine alternative, not just a fallback.

Drive Time and Distance: SDQ to Every Punta Cana Resort

Below is the complete list of resorts in the Punta Cana area with approximate driving distance and time from Santo Domingo Airport. Times assume normal traffic and the toll highway route.

Bavaro Area (2h 00min - 2h 15min)

Cap Cana Area (2h 10min - 2h 20min)

Punta Cana Village / South (2h 15min - 2h 30min)

Uvero Alto Area (2h 30min - 2h 50min)

What Is the Driving Route from SDQ to Punta Cana?

Key fact: The SDQ-to-Punta Cana drive follows Autopista del Coral (Highway 3), a modern divided toll highway with 2 toll booths totaling $3–$5.

Source: PrimeTraveler Editorial • Reviewed on February 24, 2026

The drive from SDQ to Punta Cana follows one main road. Here is what to expect:

• First 30 minutes: leaving Santo Domingo, you navigate city traffic and merge onto Autopista del Coral heading east. This is the slowest section, especially during weekday rush hours (7-9 AM, 4-7 PM).

• Middle section (1 - 1.5 hours): open highway through the eastern Dominican countryside. The road is a divided four-lane toll highway in good condition. There are 2 toll booths (total ~$3 to $5 in tolls, typically included in your transfer fare).

• Final 30 minutes: you exit the highway and follow local roads to your specific resort zone. Bavaro is the first exit, then Cap Cana, then the road continues to Uvero Alto.

Rest stops with gas stations, food, and restrooms are available along the highway. Your transfer driver will stop on request.

What Tips Ensure a Smooth SDQ to Punta Cana Transfer?

Key fact: Pre-booking a transfer saves $40–$50 over airport taxi rates, and private transfers are the only reliable option for flights arriving after 6 PM.

Source: PrimeTraveler Editorial • Reviewed on February 24, 2026

• Book your transfer in advance. Airport taxis at SDQ charge $120 to $150 for the same route a pre-booked car costs $80 to $100. The pre-booked price is fixed and agreed before arrival.

• Share your flight number. A good transfer company monitors your flight and adjusts pickup time automatically. No phone calls needed if you land early or late.

• Late-night arrivals: buses and shared shuttles do not run after ~6 PM. A private transfer is the only reliable option for evening flights.

• Bring Dominican pesos for tolls only if you are driving yourself. Transfer services include toll fees in the quoted price.

• Group savings: for 3-4 travelers, a private transfer at $80 to $100 total costs less per person than a shared shuttle at $25 to $30 each.

• Consider a Santo Domingo stopover: if you arrive early enough, spend a few hours in the Colonial Zone (30 min from SDQ airport) before heading east. Several transfer services can accommodate this with a brief scheduled stop.

Book Your SDQ to Punta Cana Transfer

Ready to book? Select your pickup airport (Santo Domingo / SDQ), enter your hotel name and flight details, and get an instant price. Child seats and flight monitoring are included at no extra charge.

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