Ruth Haines
Punta Cana Airport is a privately owned commercial airport in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. It is the first privately owned international airport in the world. The airport was built by Grupo Puntacana and designed by Oscar Imbert, who wanted the terminal architecture to be based on Native American Tainos and Arawak structures. The airport is known for its open-air design, with roofs covered in palm fronds to allow coastal breezes to cool the building. While the airport initially lacked air conditioning due to construction costs, some travellers have reported experiencing air conditioning in certain areas, such as the immigration section and the VIP lounge.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of Airport | Commercial |
| Ownership | Private |
| Location | Punta Cana, eastern Dominican Republic |
| Year of Inauguration | 1983 |
| Number of Terminals | 2 |
| Air Conditioning Availability | Semi-air-conditioned |
| Ease of Navigation | Straightforward |
| Average Daily Passenger Traffic | 20,000 |
| Accessibility | Wheelchair-accessible with dedicated queues and ramps |
| Check-in Process | Long wait times, with priority services available |
| Transportation Options | Shuttle buses, official cabs, and private transfers |
| On-site Dining | Wendy's, Cinnabon, Segafredo's, Skybar |
| On-site Shopping | Duty-Free Americas, Brisas del Caribe |
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$19.9
What You'll Learn
The airport's history
The history of aviation in the Punta Cana region began in 1971 when Grupo Puntacana built the first hotel in the area, along with a small airstrip. There were no terminals and no runway; it was just a flat piece of land. As Punta Cana was very secluded from the rest of the Dominican Republic, the only way to get there was by air. In the late 1970s, a road was built to connect the area with Higüey, the capital of La Altagracia Province. Tourists from various countries started to arrive, but they had to pass through Las Américas International Airport in Santo Domingo and then take a short flight to Punta Cana. The airstrip had a very short runway and no terminal, so passengers would exit their plane and be directed onto a road to be picked up.
In late 1974, Grupo Puntacana began planning the first private international airport. However, the local government disapproved of the new airport. After eight years of arguing with the province, a contract was made to begin construction on the new airport. The airport would be built where the old airstrip stood. In early 1981, planning started on the airport, with Oscar Imbert (son of General Antonio Imbert) chosen as the architect. Imbert wanted the terminal architecture to be based on Native American Tainos and Arawak structures, while also giving passengers a paradise feeling.
To avoid the expense of air conditioning, Imbert designed the terminal to be open-air, with roofs covered in palm fronds to allow coastal breezes from the Caribbean Sea to cool the passengers. The walls were made from stone sourced from the nearby jungles. After two years of construction, the airport opened in December 1983. The airport started out with a 5,000-foot runway, which could accommodate larger propeller planes, and a small control tower. In January 1984, Punta Cana received its first international flight from San Juan, Puerto Rico, operated by the Puerto Rican airline, Prinair. The airport received 2,976 passengers in 1984.
With a proper airport, many new hotels were built, increasing demand to bring jet aircraft to Punta Cana. This led to the airport's first expansion in 1986, with the runway extended to 7,500 feet, and renovations to the terminal. The tarmac was also expanded to accommodate jet aircraft, and the control tower was upgraded with new radar systems. This expansion allowed many more aircraft to land at the airport. In 1987, the first route between Punta Cana and the United States began, with Miami International Airport. During this time, new airlines from around the Caribbean started to fly to Punta Cana.
Towards the end of 1989, another expansion started to extend the runway to 10,171 feet, which was completed in late 1990. With the longer runway, long-haul jets could now fly to Punta Cana. The 1990s brought a major change to the airport, with new long-haul flights from Europe and an increase in the number of airlines serving the airport.
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Navigating the airport
The airport has open-air terminals with roofs covered in palm fronds, allowing coastal breezes from the Caribbean Sea to cool down the passengers. The Punta Cana International Airport is fully equipped to cater to the needs of travellers with disabilities, with dedicated queues and access ramps for wheelchairs, as well as priority check-in for passengers with disabilities, the elderly, and those travelling with babies.
After deboarding the plane, you will likely be escorted to the immigration area via a semi-air-conditioned shuttle. The airport has a variety of facilities, including restaurants, bars, duty-free shops, and advertising spaces.
When navigating the airport, it is recommended to set up your transportation in advance. You may encounter long lines and wait times, especially when departing. It is suggested to utilise priority services if available and to be prepared for the possibility of being approached by many people offering rides.
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Transport options
There are a variety of transport options available from Punta Cana International Airport to your destination. Many travellers opt for a taxi, however, this option can be expensive and uncomfortable.
A popular alternative is to pre-book an airport transfer service, which provides a more luxurious and cost-effective journey. Several companies offer this service, including Amstar, Punta Cana Tours, Dominican Transfers Diamond, and Best Punta Cana Airport Transfer. These companies provide air-conditioned vehicles, professional drivers, and a range of additional amenities to ensure a comfortable and relaxing journey.
For those seeking a more economical option, shuttle services are also available, offering shared transportation with a small group of travellers. Amstar, for example, provides an airport shuttle service with air-conditioned vehicles, making no more than three quick stops along the way to your hotel.
When booking transportation, it is advisable to choose a company that offers 24/7 customer support and real-time monitoring of your route. This ensures a dependable and stress-free experience, even if your travel plans change unexpectedly.
Additionally, consider your specific needs, such as mobility requirements or the need for a bilingual driver. Some companies, like Amstar, offer ADA-compliant vehicles and bilingual drivers to accommodate a range of traveller requirements.
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Facilities and services
Punta Cana International Airport (PUJ) is a privately owned airport in Punta Cana, in the eastern Dominican Republic. It is the first privately owned international airport in the world. The airport was designed to give passengers a paradise feeling, with terminals based on Native American Tainos and Arawak structures. The terminals feature roofs covered in palm fronds and walls made from stone found in nearby jungles.
The airport is equipped with digital kiosks to assist with check-in, as well as dedicated queues and access ramps for passengers with disabilities, the elderly, and those travelling with babies.
For dining, the airport offers familiar brands such as Wendy's, Cinnabon, and Segafredo's, as well as a Skybar for drinks. The airport also features a Duty-Free Americas shop, where travellers can purchase duty-free items like liquor, tobacco, fragrances, watches, gifts, jewellery, and travel-related merchandise. Local products, arts, crafts, and souvenirs can be found at Brisas del Caribe.
The airport provides VIP services, including escort through check-in, fast-track security and immigration lanes, and access to the VIP Lounge. Advertising spaces are available throughout the airport, and Wi-Fi is accessible to all travellers.
Punta Cana International Airport serves as a distribution centre for cargo from South America to Europe, the United States, and Canada. It is the busiest airport in the Dominican Republic and the second busiest in the Caribbean.
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Expansion and development
Punta Cana Airport is a privately owned commercial airport in Punta Cana, in the eastern Dominican Republic. It is the first privately owned international airport in the world. The airport was designed by architect Oscar Imbert, who wanted the terminal architecture to be based on Native American Tainos and Arawak structures, while also giving passengers a "paradise feeling".
The history of aviation in the region began in 1971 when Grupo Puntacana built the first hotel, called "Punta Cana Club", along with a small airstrip. However, the area was very secluded, and the airstrip had a very short runway and no terminal. In the late 1970s, a road was built to connect the area with the capital of La Altagracia Province, Higüey, and tourists from various countries started to arrive.
After eight years of negotiations with the local government, who disapproved of the new airport, Grupo Puntacana began construction on the new airport in 1981. The planners did not want to pay for expensive air conditioning, so the terminal was designed to allow coastal breezes from the Caribbean Sea to cool the passengers down. The terminal building was constructed with palm fronds for the roof and stone from nearby jungles for the walls. The airport was inaugurated in December 1983 and began operations with a 5,000-foot runway, assisting 150 passengers every hour and a half.
The airport's first expansion took place in 1986, after the construction of new hotels in the area brought an increased demand for jet aircraft accommodation. The runway was extended to 7,500 feet, the check-in area of the terminal was expanded, and the tarmac was expanded to accommodate jet aircraft. New radar systems were also added to the control tower. This expansion significantly increased the number of aircraft that could land at the airport. In 1987, the first route between Punta Cana and the United States began, with Miami International Airport.
Today, the airport is the busiest in the Dominican Republic and the second busiest in the Caribbean, with more than 8.3 million passengers passing through in 2022. It serves 90 airports in 26 countries and offers various amenities, including restaurants, bars, and duty-free shopping, and VIP services. The airport is also fully equipped to cater to the needs of travellers with disabilities, offering dedicated queues, access ramps, and priority check-in for passengers with disabilities, the elderly, and those travelling with babies.
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Frequently asked questions
The airport was designed to be open-air, with natural ventilation from coastal breezes. However, some areas are air-conditioned, such as the terminal after immigration.
The airport was designed with a paradise theme, using local materials like palm fronds for the roof and stone for the walls. The planners wanted to avoid the expense of air conditioning, so they prioritised natural ventilation instead.
Yes, some travellers have reported long lines and wait times, especially when departing. It is recommended to set up your transportation in advance and allow extra time for check-in and customs procedures.
Most travellers find the airport straightforward to navigate, with clear signage and a relatively simple layout. However, it is a large airport with long walking distances, so allow enough time to reach your gate.
Yes, Punta Cana International Airport offers dedicated queues and access ramps for wheelchair users, as well as priority check-in for passengers with disabilities, elderly travellers, and those with babies.
