Punta Cana Airport (PUJ) Flights & Flight Status

A privately owned facility serving the Dominican Republic’s largest beach vacation destination, Punta Cana International Airport offers easy access to the region’s many resort hotels. The airport is well connected to most major North American airline hubs in the east, as well as several additional North American cities and multiple destinations in Europe and Latin America.

Arriving at Punta Cana International Airport

The airport’s commercial services are divided between two terminals: A and B. They differ in terms of ambience and architectural design, since Terminal A was built much earlier and is partially topped with a giant thatched roof that evokes a traditional Caribbean vibe, even though it’s a rather large terminal. Terminal B sports more modern design elements and has one of the coolest VIP lounges I’ve seen.

You’ll need to complete an E-Ticket immigration form (via the Dominican Republic’s immigration website) before arrival in the Dominican Republic—the airline gate agent will probably require you to present the form before you board your Punta Cana-bound flight, so be sure to fill it out well before then. You’ll also need to present your valid passport after you land.

The Punta Cana airport offers a relatively smooth arrival experience. I prefer to arrive at Terminal A, although the reason why may be a turnoff to some travellers—arrivals at that terminal normally require deplaning by air stair or ramp directly onto the tarmac. It’s great for taking selfies in front of the aircraft, but you will have to either walk a short distance or board a bus to the terminal building, so be prepared for an early introduction to the destination’s warm temperatures (and if you need assistance, request it in advance). Arrivals at Terminal B are more likely to use a jetway for deplaning.

Immigration processing times can vary widely; I’ve spent as little as 10 minutes and as much as 45 minutes in line.

VIP Services

My favourite thing about flying into Punta Cana is the VIP Services program, which has made me feel almost like a celebrity, thanks to its personalized express service that whisks me through the arrival process. If you’re looking to splurge on an elevated (not to mention more streamlined) travel experience, it may be worth the indulgence.

As a privately owned and operated airport, the facility offers more opportunities to upgrade the arrival and departure experience than most. For an additional fee (booked and paid via the airport website), you can arrange for a representative from VIP Services to meet you at the aircraft or jet bridge after landing, escort you to a private arrivals lounge to clear immigration while sipping a free beverage, then be escorted through a priority customs lane and to the ground transportation area.

The VIP Premium departure service, meanwhile, is more expensive and includes the services of a representative who’ll escort you through check-in, security and immigration processing, before dropping you off at the VIP Lounge on the concourse. Slightly cheaper is the VIP Comfort departure service, which doesn’t include VIP lounge access.

How to travel between Punta Cana airport and hotels

The airport is conveniently close to several beachfront resort hotels, which allows for fast ground transfers. It’s located even closer to Puntacana Village, where you can stop for a meal at nearby restaurants or do some last-minute shopping at BlueMall Puntacana, before or after your flight.

Rental cars at Punta Cana airport

Rental car desks are at the airport just outside of baggage claim areas at both terminals, but most travellers don’t find the need to rent when staying at larger resort hotels, since it’s easier to arrange airport-hotel transfers, and most travellers spend the bulk of their time at the hotel.

Other transportation options

I usually arrange my ground transportation through the hotel where I’m staying, but you can also set up your ride through tour companies and taxi operators (check to see if your hotel offers free or discounted pickup services). It’s easier if you arrange those details before landing, so you can more quickly proceed to your transportation, but if you haven’t done that ahead of time, you can stop at the transportation desks inside the airport, after baggage claim.

After you exit the terminal, you’ll likely spend a few minutes outdoors—it’s a shaded area, at least—as you locate a representative from the transportation company you’ve hired (if you’ve arranged through a company that has a counter inside the airport, stop there first, since they may escort you outside and help you to find your driver more quickly).

The vibe outside can be a bit hectic, since there are often a lot of people standing around with signs indicating the name of their company as well as the names of the passengers they’re waiting to pick up. If you’ve arranged for transportation in advance, be sure that you’re speaking to the correct person outside the airport and that they already have your full name and the name of your hotel.

Taking a taxi at Punta Cana airport

I find it easier and less of a hassle to reserve airport-hotel transfers in advance, but if you find yourself in need of a taxi after landing, use one of the stands inside the airport, where fixed rates are available to view.

Departing from Punta Cana International Airport

I’ve always found the departure experience to be pleasant. As with just about any airport, it’s more efficient if you check in using your airline’s app, and if you don’t check luggage. That’s how I’ve always travelled in and out of Punta Cana, so I’ve always skipped the ticket counters and baggage check area (which are in a partially open-air space in both terminals) and headed straight to security screening, where high-tech scanners are used to process passports and keep the line moving relatively quickly.

Departure areas

There are a variety of opportunities to get food and beverages in both terminals, including international fast-food chains like Wendy’s and Pizza Hut, as well as a few places to get Dominican food (almost everything is beyond the security area in both terminals). Shop around if you’re looking to buy a beverage to take on the plane, though; I’ve found the prices for a simple bottle of water to be so overpriced that I usually wait for the free beverages on board.

One of my favourite places to hang out in Terminal B is the small outdoor terrace at the far end of the concourse. It’s a pleasant (and free) place to step outside, get some air and watch the planes. (The VIP Lounge in Terminal B offers a much more spectacular outdoor setting, but of course, it’s not free; details in the next section.)

If you’re flying out of Terminal A, you may want to keep a few single-dollar bills or Dominican peso bills in small denominations for when you board the plane. Small live bands often gather just outside the departure door to play traditional Dominican music in the shade on the tarmac. I love that final chance to enjoy local culture while standing in line waiting to board the plane—and the musicians always appreciate tips.

Lounges at Punta Cana airport

Terminals A and B have a VIP Lounge, and both are open to the public, regardless of what airline you’re flying, for a set fee. Discounts may be available if you pay with American Express, so if you’re carrying one of those cards, be sure to ask about that.

The lounges at the Punta Cana airport are better equipped than most in the region, with outdoor terraces, shower facilities and free food and beverages, including two local-brand alcoholic beverages per person. The Terminal B lounge is truly a standout among airport lounges; it has an outdoor swimming pool that offers wonderful tarmac views (as well as brag-worthy photo opportunities; how many people get to take a swimming pool selfie with a jet parked in the background?).

Hotels near Punta Cana airport

If you need overnight accommodation near the airport, the most convenient choice is the Four Points by Sheraton Puntacana Village, which is a short drive from both terminals and offers a free airport shuttle. The property has a gym and an open-air swimming pool. It’s not near any beaches, though.

If you’re looking for sun and sand as well as proximity to the airport, the luxurious Westin Puntacana Resort & Club is one of my favourite hotels in Punta Cana, thanks to its expansive beach, beautiful pool area and excellent restaurants (the relatively new Bao and Brassa Grill are especially good). The Westin also offers easy access to all the features of the 6,000-hectare Puntacana Resort & Club, as well as free roundtrip ground transfers to and from the airport. A bit further away, Club Med Punta Cana offers an optional “meet and greet” service at the airport, usually for an extra fee.