Punta Cana International Airport
Also known as: Punta Cana Airport, PUJ Airport, Aeropuerto de Punta Cana, Puntacana International Airport.
Private transfer from PUJSee pricesSee pricesAbout Punta Cana International Airport
Punta Cana International Airport (PUJ) serves Punta Cana, Bávaro and the rest of the La Altagracia province on the eastern tip of the Dominican Republic. It is privately owned and operated by Grupo Puntacana and handled more than 11 million passengers in 2025.
Most traffic is international. American Airlines, Delta, United, JetBlue, Southwest and Frontier fly from many US cities, Air Canada, WestJet and Air Transat link Canada, and European flights include Air Europa, British Airways, Condor and TUI Airways. Arajet, Copa Airlines, Avianca and LATAM connect the airport with Latin America.
Commercial flights use two terminals, A and B, which stand about 100 meters apart, and the airport has two parallel runways. It sits just inland from the coast, roughly 10 to 15 minutes from Punta Cana Village, 15 to 30 minutes from Bávaro and about 40 to 60 minutes from Uvero Alto.
From the airport, travelers head to the resort areas of Bávaro, Cap Cana, Cabeza de Toro and Uvero Alto, or travel west to La Romana, Bayahibe and Santo Domingo.
Airport operator, runways and traffic
- Operator
Grupo Puntacana, which owns the airport privately
- Passengers per year
More than 11 million in 2025
- Runways
Two parallel runways, each 3,100 m long
- Opened
December 1983
- Location
La Altagracia province, eastern Dominican Republic
Arrival tips for Punta Cana International Airport
When you land, you go through Dominican immigration in your arrival terminal. Every traveler needs the free Dominican e-Ticket, completed online at eticket.migracion.gob.do before check-in, so keep its QR code on your phone or printed. Visa rules depend on your nationality.
After passport control, collect your bags from the carousel and pass through customs. Lines at immigration can be long when several flights land together, especially in Terminal A.
Once outside, you will find the taxi stands, hotel shuttles and rental car counters. Taxis charge fixed fares by zone, so confirm the price for your hotel before you get in. Pre-booked drivers wait outside arrivals with a name sign, and your voucher should say which terminal to look for. Expect plenty of drivers and touts offering rides, and decline anyone who is not your arranged driver or an official taxi.
Punta Cana is warm all year. The Dominican Republic uses Atlantic Standard Time (UTC-4) with no daylight saving time, and the currency is the Dominican peso (DOP).
Ground transportation
Most travelers head straight to their resort by pre-arranged transfer, hotel shuttle or taxi.
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Book a transfer from PUJTaxi from Punta Cana airport
Taxis wait outside arrivals at both terminals and charge fixed fares by zone. The ride to Bávaro takes about 15 to 30 minutes, but airport taxis cost more than a pre-booked transfer, so confirm the fare first.
Private transfer
A pre-booked driver meets you outside arrivals with a name sign and takes you directly to your hotel. It is the easiest choice for families and for longer trips to Uvero Alto or La Romana, but must be arranged ahead.
Hotel and tour operator shuttles
Many resorts and package tour operators run their own shuttles from the airport. They are convenient if included in your booking, though shared shuttles can stop at several hotels on the way.
Rideshare
Uber can pick up at Punta Cana airport, with an airport surcharge included in the fare. Occasional cancellations happen, and the busy curb can make finding your driver harder than meeting a pre-arranged car.
Rental car
Avis, Budget, Europcar, Hertz, National, Sixt and other companies operate at the airport, with courtesy shuttles to their lots. A car suits travelers exploring beyond the resorts, but you will need to handle local driving conditions.
Bus to Santo Domingo
Expreso Bávaro buses link the Punta Cana area with Santo Domingo, about 200 km away, in roughly three hours or more. Departures are limited and buses are not set up for heavy luggage.
Moving between terminals
- 1
Walkway between terminals
Terminals A and B stand about 100 meters apart and are linked by a walkway, so you can move between them on foot.
- 2
Check your terminal
Check-in assignments have shifted during the Terminal A renovation, so confirm your check-in terminal with your airline before you travel.
- 3
Connections on separate tickets
If your flights are on separate tickets, you must clear immigration, collect your bags, check in again and go through security before your next flight.
Terminals
Terminal A
The older international terminal, being renovated in phases since 2024, where many Canadian, European and Latin American flights check in. Some gates use aircraft stairs rather than jet bridges.
Airlines commonly assigned here: Air Canada, Air Transat, Avianca, Discover Airlines, JetSMART, TUI Airways, WestJet, Wingo, World2Fly
Terminal B
The newer international terminal, expanded in 2023, with jet bridges, biometric check-in and automated border control. It handles many flights from North and South America.
Airlines commonly assigned here: Aeroméxico, Frontier Airlines, JetBlue, LATAM Airlines, Sky Airline
Airlines and destinations
Frequently asked questions
How far is Punta Cana airport from Bávaro?
The drive from Punta Cana International Airport to Bávaro takes about 15 to 30 minutes, depending on which end of Bávaro you are heading to and on traffic. Bávaro is the largest resort area near the airport. Punta Cana Village is closer, about 10 to 15 minutes, while Cap Cana is around 15 to 25 minutes away.
How far is Punta Cana airport from Uvero Alto?
Uvero Alto is one of the farthest resort areas from Punta Cana International Airport, at roughly 40 to 60 minutes by road, or about 42 to 47 km. The route runs north past Bávaro and Macao. Because of the distance, many travelers staying in Uvero Alto use a pre-arranged transfer or their resort's shuttle rather than an airport taxi.
How many terminals does Punta Cana airport have?
Punta Cana airport has two main passenger terminals, A and B, used by commercial flights. They stand about 100 meters apart and are linked by a walkway. The airport also has smaller terminals for VIP passengers, private aviation and domestic charter flights, but most travelers only ever see Terminal A or Terminal B.
Which terminal does my airline use at Punta Cana airport?
It depends on your airline, and assignments have changed during the Terminal A renovation. In July 2026, airlines including Air Canada, WestJet, Air Transat, Avianca, Wingo, JetSMART and TUI Airways checked in at Terminal A, while JetBlue, Frontier, Aeroméxico, LATAM and Sky Airline used Terminal B. Confirm your terminal with your airline before travel.
How do I get between Terminal A and Terminal B at Punta Cana airport?
Terminals A and B are about 100 meters apart and linked by a walkway, so most people simply walk between them. If you are connecting on separate tickets, you must clear immigration, collect your luggage, check in again at the other terminal and pass through security before your next flight.
Are there taxis at Punta Cana airport?
Yes. Taxis wait outside arrivals at both terminals and charge fixed fares by destination zone rather than using meters. Confirm the fare for your hotel before getting in. Airport taxis tend to cost more than pre-booked transfers, and many drivers approach arriving passengers, so use the official taxi stand.
Is there public transport from Punta Cana airport?
There is no train or airport express service. Local buses known as guaguas run in the area, and Expreso Bávaro buses connect the Punta Cana area with Santo Domingo, but schedules are limited and luggage space is tight. Most visitors use a taxi, a hotel or tour operator shuttle, or a pre-arranged transfer.
Can I use Uber at Punta Cana airport?
Yes. As of 2026, Uber can pick up passengers at Punta Cana International Airport, and airport trips include a surcharge in the fare. Travelers report occasional cancellations, and finding your driver on a busy curb can take time. Uber also lists regular airport taxis in its app, which charge higher fares.
Do I need to fill in the e-Ticket to enter the Dominican Republic?
Yes. Every traveler entering or leaving the Dominican Republic by air needs the e-Ticket, a free online form at eticket.migracion.gob.do. You can complete it as soon as you have your flight details, but it must be done before airline check-in. One form can cover up to seven travelers and generates a QR code.
How far is Punta Cana airport from Santo Domingo?
Santo Domingo is about 200 km west of the Punta Cana area, reached mainly along the Autovía del Este highway. Expreso Bávaro buses make the trip in roughly three hours or more. If you are landing in Punta Cana and heading to the capital, a car or pre-arranged transfer is usually more practical than the bus with luggage.
How far is Punta Cana airport from La Romana and Bayahibe?
La Romana is about 1 hour 15 minutes west of Punta Cana International Airport by road, and Bayahibe takes roughly 50 minutes to 1 hour 15 minutes, about 71 km. Both are reached via the Autovía del Este. Travelers staying in these areas often choose a private transfer, a resort shuttle or a rental car.
What is the time zone and currency in Punta Cana?
Punta Cana uses Atlantic Standard Time, UTC-4, all year, with no daylight saving time, so it matches US Eastern Daylight Time in summer. The currency is the Dominican peso (DOP), and currency exchange desks and ATMs are available inside both terminals. The weather is warm throughout the year.
Who operates Punta Cana airport and how busy is it?
Punta Cana International Airport is owned and operated by Grupo Puntacana and is privately owned, which is unusual for an international airport. It opened in December 1983 and handled more than 11 million passengers in 2025, making it the busiest airport in the Dominican Republic by passenger numbers.