HOW TO GET AROUND PUNTA CANA

Tourists arriving to Punta Cana will probably spend most of their vacation in and around their hotel. If you’re staying in an all-inclusive resort and don’t plan on going too far, walking in Punta Cana is your best bet. Most of the resorts are right on the beach, or at least self-contained enough that you won’t need to go too far to plop down and relax. Otherwise, if you’re planning on going beyond the resort and exploring, then the best way to get around Punta Cana is by car: by taxi or renting one (be aware that in case you book any excursion, round-trip transportation is always provided and included in the price).

TAXI

Have the concierge call a taxi for you. Hotel concierges can easily summon taxis. Bear in mind that taxi is the most comfortable but also the most expensive ground transportation option. Taxis charge uniform rates and taxi drivers are unionized. Fares in Punta Cana are high although negotiable, and there are set fares between resorts and the airport or other popular destinations. It’s not uncommon to be charged US$50 for a 20-minute ride if you book through your resort’s concierge. Try walking off your resort to one of the taxi stands down the street for a cheaper rate. At the shopping centers and other areas turist-friendly, where many taxis are standing around—and especially if you can negotiate in Spanish—you can get one for a fraction of that price. There are no meters, so confirm the rate with the driver before beginning your trip.

BY CAR

If you’re feeling very courageous, you could rent a car. To explore surrounding towns, I personally recommend renting a car through your hotel or at the airport. Be sure the car provides a GPS navigator. It also helps to carry a cell phone activated for local use.

On the other hand I personally don’t recommend driving within Punta Cana, specially the Bavaro area, because traffic is at a constant gridlock and the Dominican driving style is different to say the least – speed limits and stop signs are oftentimes ignored. Keep in mind that several resorts will charge you a parking fee, but you won’t need to purchase an additional license (U.S. license is acceptable for up to three months).

Night-time driving is not recommended as well for visitors who are not familiar with the destination because of the lack of signage and lighting on the roads. There are many gas stations in the entire Punta Cana area. They may take foreign currency, but the exchange rate will be well in their favor, so it is preferable to use pesos.

Several major car-rental companies have outlets at the Punta Cana airport, as well as in Bávaro. Most will deliver cars to the hotel (in some cases, they will complete the paperwork at your hotel; in others, they will bring you back to the office to complete the paperwork). Do not cut corners when choosing your rental car service. Also take out the extra insurance plan that is available. If you suffer an accident that dents your car, for instance, the insurance will prevent delays or hassles. You must be at least 21 years old. When you venture out, free parking is also common, including at the shopping plazas and local restaurants—and generally easy to find, except perhaps on the cluttered streets of Higüey.

UBER

The renowned Uber platform began operating in Punta Cana only around 2020, during the Covid-19 pandemic, unlike other parts of the country, such as the capital Santo Domingo, where the application had already been available for several years. In recent years many changes have happened and while at the beginning there were many disputes (and fights) between members of taxi companies and Uber drivers in the tourist area, the new player in the Punta Cana transportation system has been already accepted and today Uber can operate in Punta Cana without problems, although with some restrictions.

BY BUS

Public buses (known popularly as Guaguas) service Punta Cana and Bávaro area. Taking a local bus is one of the cheapest ways to get around but is not recommended if you have somewhere to go in a hurry. The schedules are sporadic and irregular, and buses have been known to be more than an hour late. Also, stops aren’t clearly marked or better there are no official bus stops (it’s best to tell the driver where you want to get off) and buses can be hailed anywhere on the street. Being a popular way to move, specially for locals, they are usually packed. To recognize the public transportation buses, be aware they have the name TRAMABAPU or SITRABAPU written in the front of the bus (these are transportation syndicates for Macao, Bavaro & Punta Cana). A portion of Bavaro is also served by the public transportation company RUTABERON, which serves more the area of Veron.

If you are interested in meeting and socializing with the Dominicans, getting on a guagua can be an enjoyable experience as you’ll be sharing the transport with mainly the locals: hotel employees, school children, and Haitian construction workers. Despite what your resort or travel agent might have told you, leaving your hotel and exploring on Bavaro’s public transport is perfectly safe and substantially cheaper than taking a hotel taxi. Expect to pay RD$60 on each bus for local transportation and RD$150 for trips to Higuey.

Onboard there is a driver and a conductor (el cobrador) who takes your money (no tickets are issued). It’s best to have small change ready. Most of the public buses (at least those which run along the Bavaro area) don’t have air conditioning. Seats are on a first come first served basis. Guaguas provide a truly authentic taste of Dominican transportation.

Local buses start at the main bus terminal, passing all the outdoor malls on the way to El Cortecito, then turn down the coastal road past the large hotels to Cruce de Cocoloco, where they turn around and return the same way. The bus system is rather informal but is a perfectly safe and cost efficient way of getting around Punta Cana.

MOTOCONCHOS

Motorcycle taxis (“motoconchos” in spanish) are the most popular form of transportation in Punta Cana Bavaro if you are in a hurry and your destination is not too far. Hundreds of motoconcho drivers make a living offering short distance rides to both tourist and local residents. You’ll have no problem finding one, 99% of the time they’ll find you!! Try to opt for a motoconcho driver with an orange or yellow vest indicating he is a member of the local driver union and not just some guy offering a ride.

Motoconchos are by far the most inexpensive and fastest option for shorter distances in Punta Cana. These taxi motorcycles have cheap fares, starting around $2 USD. But with the high accident rate and lack of helmets for passengers, safety is just an optional….so ride at your own risk!! If you are feeling a little nervous just tell the driver “al paso por favor” (slowly please). Most of the Punta Cana motochonchos are Haitians and speak little English and French, but it’s always good to know a few words in Spanish if you intend to take public transport.

Motoconchos are found at many hotel entrances, shopping plazas and at street corners, or gathering places. Always determine the fare before you set off, and pay on arrival. Motoconchos will generally wait for you for a return fare. They are a great way to get around for short distances.

POPPI EXPRESS

Poppi Express is a new and innovative way to get around Punta Cana. Introduced in the área in 2021, they are similar to rickshaw taxis found in India and rest of Asia. These three-wheeled taxis offer a comfortable and affordable alternative to motoconchos and traditional taxis. With their low fares and comfortable seating, Poppi Express has quickly become a popular choice for tourists and locals alike. Poppis compete with the traditional motoconchos and they are preferred in case of rain as the passengers do not get wet.

TOUR OPERATORS TRANSPORTATION

Most excursions pick up tourists at their hotels and then drop them back. The transfer is included in the price of the excursion.

AIRPORT TRANSFERS

Most of the times the airport transfer is included in the package by the tour operator you booked your holiday with. If you booked your vacation on your own, then there are 2 choices:

1- get a taxi once you arrive in Punta Cana without any previous reservation (once you get out the airport you’ll find dozens of taxi drivers ready to take you to your destination);

2- reserve the service with a private transportation company. In Punta Cana it’s now plenty of tourist transportation companies, offering any kind of transfer: private, shared, VIP or even luxury transfers (such us Limousine service). Some companies offer very competitive prices, usually cheaper than taxis. A good Google research is recommended.

*(No public transportation service is so far provided from the airport)