By Air

International

The following airlines provide service from the United States and San Juan: American Airlines/American Eagle, Continental, Delta, JetBlue (to Santiago and Santo Domingo only), Spirit (to Santo Domingo only), and US Airways. Providing service from Europe are Air Europa, Air France, and Iberia. Pan Am flies from San Juan; Air Caraïbes and Air Antilles Express (only in the summer) connect to the French West Indies; LIAT goes down-island, mainly to the English-speaking isles. Air Canada flies to Toronto. Many visitors fly nonstop on charter flights direct from the East Coast, Midwest, and Canada, particularly into Punta Cana. These charters are part of a package and can only be booked through a travel agent.

Information

Air Antilles Express (809/621-8888). Air Canada (881/333-0111). Air Caraïbes (809/621-8888; 0590/82-47-00 in Guadeloupe). American Airlines/American Eagle (809/200-5151 or 809/959-2420). Continental (809/262-1060). Delta (809/200-9191, 809/233-8485, or 809/955-1500). JetBlue (809/200-9898). LIAT (809/621-8888). Pan Am (809/227-0330). Spirit (809/381-4111). US Airways (809/540-0505 or 800/428-4322).

Domestic

Aerodomca offers regular flights between Santo Domingo and Samaná. Air Century, flying out of Higuero Airport in Santo Domingo, offers charters and transfers. Helidosa Helicopters takes passengers where they want to go, has aerial sightseeing excursions, and shuttles guests from the airport in Punta Cana to the Uvero Alto resorts; however, passengers must leave their luggage behind, to follow in a car or truck. Caribe Air can take you from Puerto Plata to La Romana. In addition to charter flights, Takeoff Destination Service has scheduled flights between Punta Cana and Santo Domingo (Higuero Airport), Punta Cana and Puerto Plata, and Punta Cana and Samaná, as well as exclusive day trips, by plane, out of Punta Cana.

Information

Aerodomca (La Isabella International Dr. Joaquin Balaguer, Higuero. 809/567-1195). Air Century (La Isabella International Dr. Joaquin Balaguer, Higuero. 809/566-0888. www.aircentury.com). Caribe Air (Gregorio Luperon International Airport, Puerto Plata. 809/586-0131. www.caribeair.com). Helidosa Helicopters (Punta Cana. 809/688-0744, 809/552-6066, or 809/552-6069). Takeoff Destination Service (Punta Cana. 809/552-1333 or 809/567-1195. www.takeoffweb.com).

Airports & Transfers

The Dominican Republic has seven major airports, including Las Américas International Airport, about 15 mi (24 km) outside Santo Domingo; the new La Isabela International Dr. Joaquin Balaguer Airport, about 5 mi (8 km) to the north of the former Herrera Airport (which closed February 2006) and 10 mi (16 km) north of Santo Domingo (you'll hear it called Higuero Airport and even Isabela); Puerto Plata International Gregorio Luperon Airport, about 7 mi (11 km) east of Playa Dorada; and Punta Cana International Airport (the busiest, handling some 1.5 million passengers a year). Las Americas has been beautified, and giant color photos of smiling Dominicans now welcome visitors. The La Romana-Casa de Campo International Airport and Cibao International Airport in Santiago have an increasing number of international flights. El Catey is a new, impressive international airport about 25 mi (40 km) west of Samana.

If you book a package through a travel agent, your airport transfers will almost certainly be included in the price you pay. Look for your company's sign as you exit baggage claim. If you book independently, then you may have to take a taxi or rent a car.

Anticipate long lines and be sure to give yourself a full two hours for international check-in.

Information

Las Américas International Airport (SDQ, Santo Domingo. 809/549-0450). El Catey International Airport (AZS, Catey). Cibao International Airport (STI, Santiago. 809/582-4894). Gregorio Luperon International Airport (POP, Puerto Plata. 809/586-0107 or 809/586-0219). La Isabella International Dr. Joaquin Balaguer (DHG, Higuero. 809/826-4003). Punta Cana International Airport (PUJ. 809/686-8790). La Romana/Casa de Campo International Airport (LRM. 809/556-5565).