Punta Cana International Airport (PUJ) is a commercial airport located in Punta Cana, a popular seaside resort on the easternmost tip of the Dominican Republic.
When it was inaugurated on December 17, 1983, it became the world's first privately owned international airport. Today, Punta Cana is the country’s biggest airport.
As of 2023, PUJ handled over 9.5 million passengers, making it the second-busiest in the Caribbean after Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU) in Puerto Rico.
Major Airlines - Arajet, American Airlines, JetBlue
Punta Cana International Airport is a hub for the national carrier Arajet which has many routes across the Americas.
Many of the big US airlines fly to Punta Cana, including American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, JetBlue, United Airlines, and Frontier Airlines. Many of the US’s major cities have regular direct connections to Punta Cana, and other routes are added during the high season.
Canada and many European nations are also well-represented. Various airlines, such as Air Canada, British Airways, and Condor, fly directly to major cities in Canada and European capitals.
Punta Cana also hosts several South American airlines such as Avianca and LATAM, with direct routes to cities in Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru, to name a few.
See all airlines at Punta Cana International Airport.
Terminal Layout and Gates
Punta Cana Airport has 5 terminals, although most travelers will be primarily interested in the 2 international ones:
Terminal A: The older international terminal. Most airlines use Terminal A. It houses various retail shops, dining options, and duty-free stores.
Terminal B: The newer international terminal which was upgraded and expanded in 2023, doubled the number of gates and increased the various modern facilities and shopping outlets at the terminal. Fewer airlines use Terminal B though they include notable big names like Delta Airlines, American Airlines, and British Airways.
These 2 terminals have 34 gates, 14 of which have airbridges.
The other three terminals are geared toward general aviation and private charters:
FBO Terminal: A private terminal for executive and private flights.
National Terminal: Serves national charter and general aviation flights.
VIP Terminal: Caters to private and VIP travelers, providing exclusive services and premium experiences.
Digital Automated Kiosks
Kiosks for automated migration for arrivals and departures are available to select nationalities:
Argentina
Chile
Peru
Uruguay
United States
Canada
United Kingdom
Italy
Spain
Poland
Czech Republic
France
Germany
Netherlands
Switzerland
Belgium
Russia
Ukraine
Portugal
Romania
To be eligible, you must be at least 21 years of age and possess a biometric passport.
Automated check-in kiosks are also available in Terminals A and B for passengers of some airlines. These include:
Frontier
Spirit
AirTransat
SouthWest
Delta
United
AirCanada
Gol
SunWing
Latam
American
To take advantage and avoid the queues, simply enter your flight details and passport number on the electronic screen to check in and print your boarding card.
Airport Announcements
Note that Punta Cana Airport has been a silent airport since 2019. This means that no announcements are made by the airlines concerning flight status or final calls.
Pay close attention to the information screens to stay in the loop about your flight.
Airport Wifi
Punta Cana Airport features a fast WiFi network in all areas of the airport. It is complimentary for the first 3 hours of use.
To connect, search for the network “Airport_Punta_Cana” and click connect. Then open your web browser and you will be automatically redirected to the airport login page.
Select the "3 hours free" option (at least in the beginning - you can pay for more hours on subsequent visits). Then answer the security questions and wait for authentication to complete. Voila, you’re connected to the internet.
Dining Options at Punta Cana International
The two commercial terminals of Punta Cana International Airport offer a similar array of dining options for quick meals, coffee and drinks, and sit-down restaurants.
In Terminal A there is a Food Court with various eateries. Some of them are:
Cavu Bar for beers and cocktails.
Your Last Bite for Caribbean food.
Nathan's Famous Hot Dogs for a quick bite.
Other places to eat in Terminal A include Pizza Hut, Wendy’s, and Cinnabon.
In Terminal B, you can find the likes of Taco Bell, Segafredo, and Luve Bar, as well as other fast food chains and coffee kiosks.
Lounges at Punta Cana Airport
Punta Cana Airport provides a few VIP lounges for premium passengers, Priority Pass holders, and other various premium memberships and credit card holders.
Perhaps the standout lounge is the VIP Lounge Punta Cana Airport (located in Terminal B) which not only has the expected complimentary snacks, beverages, Wi-Fi, and comfortable seating areas but also boasts a whole swimming pool - something rather unique among airport lounges. The lounge is also open to anyone for a fee of 50 USD.
Other lounges at PUJ include the VIP Lounge at Terminal A, the Sky Bar Lounge at Terminal A, and the VIP Lounge Club at Terminal B.
Transportation options at Punta Cana Airport
Punta Cana International Airport offers a public bus that connects the airport with the capital Santo Domingo, about 180 kilometers west of it. The bus terminates at Bavaro, 20 km north of PUJ. The APTPRA company runs the bus every 2 hours in each direction with the last service from the airport at 16:00. Check online for an up-to-date timetable. Buy tickets only from the clearly identified staff at the airport.
Other than that, your transport options to resorts and places of interest in Punta Cana are limited to:
Hotel Shuttles: Many resorts and hotels offer complimentary shuttle services if you are a guest. Ask your accommodation directly to figure out the details.
Taxis: Official airport taxis operate with set rates to various destinations. For example, a taxi to hotels and resorts within Bavares costs 35 USD, whereas a long-distance taxi to San Cristobal will set you back 220 USD.
Uber: Uber operates in the Dominican Republic, including Punta Cana Airport. Follow the signs for the Uber waiting areas and pick-up spots.
Car Rentals: Multiple car rental agencies are available within the airport premises, including Avis, Hertz, Dollar, Budget, and Europcar, if you prefer to drive yourselves.
Since transport options are limited, it’s best to arrange it before you arrive. Click here to see private transfer options from Punta Cana Airport.
Parking at PUJ
Each of the terminals of Punta Cana International Airport has its own parking lot with different rates for short or long stays.
The parking rates are:
50 DOP for the first 30 minutes
750 DOP for the first 24 hours with additional days also priced at 750 DOP.
When you are ready to leave the car park, pay at one of the Parking pay stations. In terminal A, they are located in the arrivals area, right next to the cashiers. In terminal B, the pay stations are inside the parking lot, at its entrance.
Luggage Storage at PUJ
Punta Cana Airport does not offer luggage storage facilities. Your nearest option is the Plaza Blue Mall PUNTACANA which is just 5 minutes from the airport and offers luggage storage for a fee.
Hotels near Punta Cana Airport
There are no hotels directly within the airport terminals but there are a few options nearby.
If you’re looking for a classy hotel, your best bet is the Four Points by Sheraton Puntacana Village. It is located about 2 kilometers from the airport and offers luxury rooms, a fitness center, a swimming pool, and on-site dining.
A bit further away (about 8 km south) but right on the beach is The Westin Puntacana Resort & Club. This resort provides upscale accommodations, beachfront access, and a range of recreational activities.
Click here should you wish to explore more hotel options near Punta Cana Airport.
Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
