Lois Larson
The Dominican Republic is home to seven international airports. The closest airport to Cap Cana is the Punta Cana International Airport, also known as PUJ Airport. It is the busiest airport in the country, serving over 8.3 million passengers in 2022, and is located on the eastern side of the island. The airport offers facilities such as currency exchange, cafes, restaurants, duty-free shopping, and dedicated services for passengers with disabilities.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Punta Cana International Airport |
| Abbreviation | PUJ |
| Location | Eastern side of the Dominican Republic |
| Distance from Santo Domingo | 2.5 hours drive |
| Distance from Uvero Alto | 24 miles |
| Distance from Bávaro Beach | 20-minute drive |
| Distance from Finest Punta Cana | 35 minutes |
| Number of terminals | 2 (5 in total, but only 2 are used for international commercial flights) |
| Number of passengers | 8.3 million (2022) |
| Aircraft operations | 50,000 commercial (2022) |
| Countries served | 26 |
| Airports served | 90 |
| Airlines | 20+ |
| Facilities | Cafes, bars, restaurants, shops, duty-free, currency exchange, breastfeeding room, shuttle service, wheelchair access, priority check-in, digital kiosks |
| Entry requirements | Valid passport, tourist card fee ($10), departure tax ($20) |
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What You'll Learn
Punta Cana International Airport is the closest airport to Cap Cana
Punta Cana International Airport, also known as PUJ Airport, is the closest airport to Cap Cana in the Dominican Republic. It is located on the eastern side of the island and is about a two-and-a-half-hour drive from the capital, Santo Domingo. The airport is well-equipped to handle a large number of passengers, with two terminals and over 20 airlines offering direct flights to and from destinations worldwide.
The history of the airport began in 1971 when Grupo Puntacana built the first hotel in the area, along with a small airstrip. In 1984, the airport received its first international flight from San Juan, Puerto Rico, and has since expanded multiple times to accommodate the increasing demand and larger aircraft. Today, it is the busiest airport in the Dominican Republic, accounting for 60% of all air arrivals in the country in 2023.
Punta Cana International Airport offers a range of facilities and services for travellers, including special spaces for nursing mothers, dedicated queues and access ramps for wheelchair users, and priority check-in for passengers with disabilities, the elderly, and those travelling with babies. The airport also has a variety of dining options, cafes, bars, and restaurants, as well as duty-free shopping for souvenirs and other items.
For travellers to the Dominican Republic, it is important to note that a valid passport with two blank pages is required for entry. There is also a US$10 tourist card fee and a US$20 departure tax, which are usually incorporated into the airfare cost. These regulations are subject to change, so travellers are advised to check the latest information before their trip.
Overall, Punta Cana International Airport is the closest and most convenient airport for travellers heading to Cap Cana in the Dominican Republic, offering a range of facilities and services to meet the needs of its many passengers.
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It is the busiest airport in the Dominican Republic
Punta Cana International Airport, also known as PUJ Airport, is the busiest airport in the Dominican Republic. It is privately owned by the Puntacana Group and is located in Punta Cana, La Altagracia Province. The airport has two terminals and serves over 20 airlines offering direct flights to and from destinations worldwide, including Russia and Canada. In 2022, Punta Cana International Airport handled more than 8.3 million passengers and almost 50,000 commercial aircraft operations. The airport serves 90 airports in 26 countries.
The history of aviation in Punta Cana began in 1971 when Grupo Puntacana built the "Punta Cana Club" hotel and a small airstrip. At that time, there were no terminals or runways, just a flat piece of land. The area was secluded, and Punta Cana was only accessible by air or a newly built road connecting it to the capital of La Altagracia Province, Higüey. The first international flight to Punta Cana arrived in January 1984 from San Juan, Puerto Rico, operated by Puerto Rican airline Prinair. This sparked the airport's first expansion in 1986, extending the runway to accommodate jet aircraft and expanding the check-in area and terminal.
Further expansions in 1988 and 1989 added a new taxiway and extended the runway to over 10,000 feet, allowing long-haul jets to fly to Punta Cana. Today, the airport continues to grow and develop, offering various amenities and services to travellers, including special spaces for nursing mothers, dedicated queues and access ramps for wheelchairs, and digital kiosks for faster check-in.
Punta Cana International Airport is followed by Santo Domingo's airport, also known as SDQ, as the second busiest in the Dominican Republic. Santo Domingo's airport serves numerous international airlines and features two terminals. Other notable airports in the Dominican Republic include Casa de Campo International Airport, located near the Dominicus and Bayahibe areas, and Juan Bosch International Airport, the closest airport to the Samaná Peninsula.
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It has 5 terminals, 2 of which are for international commercial flights
The airport that serves Cap Cana in the Dominican Republic is the Punta Cana International Airport, abbreviated as PUJ. It is the busiest airport in the Dominican Republic, serving over 8.3 million passengers in 2022. The airport is also regarded as the second most popular airport in the Caribbean and the second busiest in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Punta Cana International Airport has five terminals, two of which are used for international commercial flights. These terminals are named Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 or sometimes referred to as Terminals A and B. The terminals are within walking distance of each other, and all facilities are relatively nearby. The airport offers dedicated queues and access ramps for wheelchairs at arrivals and departures. It also provides a Mother's Room in Terminal A, featuring comfortable seating, a changing table, and electrical outlets for nursing mothers.
The airport has a variety of facilities and services, including cafes, bars, restaurants, shops, and duty-free options. Currency exchange services are also available, although they tend to be more costly than other options. Additionally, the airport provides free Wi-Fi access and advertising spaces in key areas.
Punta Cana International Airport serves as a key gateway to various destinations, including the United States, Canada, South America, and parts of Europe. It connects to 90 airports in 26 countries and offers direct flights to worldwide locations such as Russia and Canada. The airport has a history of expansion to accommodate increasing demand and aircraft size.
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It has facilities for travellers with disabilities
The airport serving Cap Cana in the Dominican Republic is the Punta Cana International Airport (PUJ). It is the country's busiest airport, receiving over three million passengers a year, and is also the second busiest airport in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Facilities for Travellers with Disabilities
Punta Cana International Airport is fully equipped to cater to the needs of travellers with disabilities. The airport provides dedicated queues for wheelchairs at arrivals and departures, as well as access ramps for wheelchairs. Passengers with disabilities also have priority check-in, which is also available for the elderly and those travelling with babies. To request this service, passengers should contact their airline directly.
The airport also offers digital kiosks in Terminals A and B to reduce waiting times during the check-in process. These kiosks are available for automated migration for arrivals from certain countries and for passengers aged 21 and above.
In addition to these facilities, Punta Cana International Airport provides a comfortable space for breastfeeding. The airport recently opened a Mother's Room in Terminal A, called "Sala de Lactancia", which offers a quiet space away from the busy airport environment. This room includes comfortable seating, an end table, a changing table, and conveniently placed electrical outlets.
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It has a Mother's Room for breastfeeding in Terminal A
The closest airport to Cap Cana, Dominican Republic, is Punta Cana International Airport (PUJ). This airport is located on the eastern side of the island and is about a 10-minute drive from the Sanctuary Cap Cana resort. It is the busiest airport in the Dominican Republic, serving over 8.3 million passengers and 50,000 commercial aircraft operations in 2022. The airport has come a long way since its humble beginnings in the 1970s, with a small airstrip and no terminals or runway. Today, it boasts two terminals (Terminal A and Terminal B) that cater to international commercial flights and is recognised for its efforts to accommodate nursing mothers.
Terminal A of Punta Cana International Airport has a dedicated Mothers Room to facilitate breastfeeding. This quiet and comfortable space, named "Sala de Lactancia", offers a welcome respite from the busy airport environment. It is equipped with thoughtful amenities, including cosy seating, end tables, and conveniently placed electrical outlets. Additionally, a changing table is provided, addressing the comprehensive needs of travelling mothers and their infants.
The Mothers Room at Terminal A reflects the airport's commitment to supporting breastfeeding mothers and enhancing their travel experience. It provides a private and tranquil environment for nursing, allowing mothers to attend to their babies' needs without the distractions and pressures of a typical airport setting. This dedicated space ensures that breastfeeding mothers can travel with greater ease and comfort, knowing that their needs are accommodated within the airport's facilities.
The establishment of the Mothers Room is a significant step forward in catering to the specific needs of nursing mothers. It recognises that travelling with a baby comes with unique challenges and strives to alleviate some of these difficulties. By offering a designated space for breastfeeding, the airport empowers mothers to continue their breastfeeding journey even while navigating the often hectic experience of air travel. This initiative underscores a broader societal shift towards creating more inclusive and supportive environments for breastfeeding mothers in public spaces.
The Punta Cana International Airport has demonstrated its dedication to the comfort and convenience of all travellers, including those with babies, through the inclusion of the Mothers Room in Terminal A. This facility is a welcome addition, providing a calm and functional space amidst the bustling airport environment. By prioritising the needs of nursing mothers, the airport has taken a proactive approach to fostering a more accommodating and family-friendly atmosphere, contributing to a more positive travel experience for all. This thoughtful consideration sets a precedent for other airports and reinforces the importance of supporting new mothers in their breastfeeding endeavours.
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Frequently asked questions
The closest airport is Punta Cana International Airport (PUJ).
The airport is just 10 minutes away from the Sanctuary Cap Cana resort.
The airport has a Mother's Room for breastfeeding, a currency exchange, cafes, bars, restaurants, shops, and duty-free. It also has dedicated queues and access ramps for wheelchairs, and priority check-in for passengers with disabilities, the elderly, and those travelling with babies.
The airport was first built with a 5,000-foot runway and a small control tower. In 1984, it received its first international flight from Puerto Rico. The runway has since been expanded multiple times, and the airport now serves 90 airports in 26 countries, with over 8 million passengers passing through in 2022.
You need a valid passport with two blank pages. By Dominican law, there is a US$20 departure tax, which is usually included in your airfare. As of April 2018, the tourist card entry fee is also incorporated into the airfare cost.
