From Punta Cana to Puerto Plata: Travel Tips & Routes
Discover the best routes and ways to travel between two of the Dominican Republic’s most iconic destinations
If you're planning a vacation in the Dominican Republic, there's no shortage of beautiful cities worth visiting. Punta Cana often tops the list, thanks to its white-sand beaches and all-inclusive resorts. But once you've soaked up enough sun, why not explore more of what the island has to offer?
One destination worth adding to your itinerary is Puerto Plata—a historic city on the north coast known as the birthplace of Dominican tourism. This guide will walk you through the distance, travel times, and the best routes and tips for getting from Punta Cana to Puerto Plata.
How Far Is It From Punta Cana to Puerto Plata?
At first glance, it might not seem like the Dominican Republic is that big. But at 18,704 square miles, it's about four times as large as Jamaica and nearly five times as large as Puerto Rico.
Because of this, it can take quite a bit of time to travel between some cities in the country. This includes Punta Cana and Puerto Plata.
The distance from Punta Cana to Puerto Plata is approximately 250 miles. As a result, it will take between 5 to 6 hours in most cases to get from Punta Cana to Puerto Plata.
This is a big part of why you must look for the best way to travel from Punta Cana to Puerto Plata. If you select the wrong Punta Cana transportation option, you might spend more than you planned to get to Puerto Plata.
How Can You Get From Punta Cana to Puerto Plata?
The good news for those trying to get from Punta Cana to Puerto Plata is that there will be many ways you can do it. You won't have any shortage of Punta Cana to Puerto Plata transportation options.
But you shouldn't simply select the first option available to you. You should carefully consider each opportunity to navigate from Punta Cana to Puerto Plata without spending too much time and money.
Here are several of the best ways to get from Punta Cana to Puerto Plata during a DR vacation.
Travel Options: Punta Cana to Puerto Plata
Here’s a breakdown of the main ways to travel between Punta Cana and Puerto Plata, along with their pros, cons, and estimated costs:
🚌 Public Bus
Route: Punta Cana → Santo Domingo → Puerto Plata
Travel Time: 9–10 hours
Cost: $30–$40
Pros: Budget-friendly
Cons: Multiple transfers, long travel time
Public buses like Caribe Tours or Expreso Bávaro are reliable but require switching in Santo Domingo. Great for backpackers, not ideal for families or short trips.
🚖 Taxi
Travel Time: 5–6 hours
Cost: $400–$500
Pros: Direct route, flexible timing
Cons: High cost, comfort varies
Taxis are widely available but can be expensive for such a long-distance trip. Always agree on a price before you leave.
🚗 Rideshare (Uber)
Initial App Estimate: $200–$300
Actual Cost: Often $400+ after negotiation
Pros: Easy to book via app
Cons: Drivers may cancel or ask for more money
Uber technically operates in Punta Cana, but long trips to Puerto Plata are rarely accepted at the app’s quoted rate.
🚘 Rental Car
Cost: $50–$60/day + gas, tolls
Pros: Flexibility, explore along the way
Cons: Driving unfamiliar roads, extra costs
Ideal for adventurous travelers. Be prepared for toll roads and local driving conditions.
🚁 Helicopter
Travel Time: Under 1 hour
Cost: $3,000+
Pros: Fast and scenic
Cons: Extremely expensive, limited availability
A luxury option for those with a large budget. Some private charter services offer this route.
🚐 Private Transfer (Recommended)
Travel Time: 5–6 hours
Cost: $300–$400 (includes fuel and tolls)
Pros: Door-to-door, comfortable, reliable
Cons: Slightly higher cost than DIY options
A private transfer offers the best balance between comfort, price, and convenience You’ll enjoy air-conditioning, professional drivers, and no unexpected delays or costs.
Benefits of Booking a Private Transfer to Puerto Plata
As you may have noticed while reading through each of the options you'll have when traveling from Punta Cana to Puerto Plata, there is a downside that will come with almost each one. The only one that doesn't have a disadvantage is a private transfer.
If you work with the wrong Punta Cana transportation company while booking a private transfer, you may not have the best experience. But as long as you choose the right company for a private transfer, it should set you up with nothing but benefits.
The most significant benefits of booking a private transfer to travel from Punta Cana to Puerto Plata are:
Allows you to book a trip from Punta Cana to Puerto Plata in advance
Provides you with predictable and affordable pricing on a journey from Punta Cana to Puerto Plata
It helps you get from Punta Cana to Puerto Plata in the quickest time possible
It makes traveling from Punta Cana to Puerto Plata as comfortable as it gets
Ensures you don't face any surprises while going from Punta Cana to Puerto Plata
It would make all the sense in the world to book a private transfer to Puerto Plata. With just a little bit of advanced vacation planning on your part, you can arrange to have a private transfer pick you up and get you to Puerto Plata quickly for the right price.
How to Book a Private Transfer to Puerto Plata
Does booking a private transfer from Punta Cana to Puerto Plata sound best for you? Look into reserving a private transfer before arriving in DR if you can.
To keep your DR vacation going smoothly, you will want to take the following steps to take advantage of what a private transfer can offer:
Find Punta Cana transportation companies that offer private transfers
Research these companies and see which ones have the most positive online reviews
Let these companies know which type of vehicle you would like to travel in and how many people will be at your party
Obtain quotes for private transfers from Punta Cana to Puerto Plata from these companies
Compare the quotes for private transfers that you receive
You should be able to do all this while you're still at home planning your DR vacation. It'll better indicate how much traveling from Punta Cana to Puerto Plata will cost with a private transfer. It'll also allow you to reserve a private transfer if you're satisfied with one of the rates you receive.
How Much a Private Transfer to Puerto Plata Costs
Traveling from Punta Cana to Puerto Plata can cost a pretty penny in some cases. If you agree to take a taxi, an Uber, or even a helicopter or boat, you might torpedo your DR vacation budget in an instant.
There are some instances in which a private transfer might also cost you more than you expected. But you should be able to keep your Punta Cana to Puerto Plata transportation costs down when you go with a private transfer by taking a few simple steps.
Here are several factors that will impact the price you'll pay for a private transfer to Puerto Plata:
The type of vehicle would you like to get picked up and dropped off in
The number of people who will be traveling in your private transfer
The date and time when you'll be going from Punta Cana to Puerto Plata
Whether you want a one-way ride or a round-trip one
Something as simple as which Punta Cana transportation company you choose will also affect the cost of a private transfer. If you pick the first company you can find without doing any research on your different options, it might come back to bite you.
Whom to Trust for a Transfer to Puerto Plata
During a typical year, 7 to 8 million people will visit the Dominican Republic. Because of this, plenty of transportation companies will be able to get you from Punta Cana to Puerto Plata. So, which one should you trust?
In a perfect world, you'll want to find a Punta Cana transportation company with lots of industry experience. You also want to locate one with skilled drivers, comfortable vehicles, and low prices.
You're going to find each of these things in a transportation company like Punta Cana Transfer. You can count on us to get you from Punta Cana to Puerto Plata in a timely fashion while also helping you stick to your DR vacation budget.
When you turn to Punta Cana Transfer for help, we'll provide you with a quick quote for your trip to Puerto Plata. Just let us know when you would like to book a private transfer, which type of vehicle you'd like to travel in, and how many people will be taking the trip with you.
Once we have this information, we can put together a quote for you pretty much on the spot and let you know what it'll cost you to get from Punta Cana to Puerto Plata. From there, you're free to book a trip with us or ask any other questions you might have about our private transfers.
We want you to have a fantastic time during your Dominican Republic vacation and will strive to provide you with the best customer service we can. We can promise you won't regret taking a private transfer to Puerto Plata over all the other options you'll have.
Final Tips for a Smooth Trip
Bring snacks and water if traveling by road
Ask if the transfer includes Wi-Fi or extra stops
Leave early if traveling during peak tourist season
Confirm tolls are included in the quoted price
Contact Us to Get From Punta Cana to Puerto Plata Fast
Trying to figure out how to get from Punta Cana to Puerto Plata can be stressful if you wait until the last minute. It can also increase travel costs and potentially even throw your Dominican Republic vacation off course.
Punta Cana Transfer is here to help those who would like to book private transfers in advance so that they know how they'll be getting from Punta Cana to Puerto Plata. We'll get you to Puerto Plata as quickly as possible so that you can continue enjoying everything DR offers.
Contact us today for more information on our private transfers from Punta Cana to Puerto Plata.