Gregorio Luperón International Airport serves Puerto Plata and the north coast of the Dominican Republic, including the popular Playa Dorada and Sosúa areas, approximately 18 km from Puerto Plata city center.
It is the country's third-busiest airport, predominantly oriented toward beach tourism on the north coast.
How to get to Gregorio Luperon International Airport
By Car
By Train
By Bus
Average travel time to POP
Parking near Gregorio Luperon International Airport
The authorized parking is located in front of the terminal building.
It is not staffed by dedicated personnel but is video monitored; roughly 2-3 USD/hour, with a contained daily maximum rate.
How to get to Puerto Plata from POP
By Train
By Bus
By Taxi
Need an airport transfer?
Compare taxis and shuttles on Booking.com
Car rental at Gregorio Luperon International Airport
Major car rental companies have desks in the arrivals area, useful for exploring the north coast beyond Puerto Plata, including Sosúa and Cabarete.
A driver's license, passport, and credit card are the basics; an IDP is added in the majority of cases.
Hotels near Gregorio Luperon International Airport
Puerto Plata Center and Malecón
About 25-30 minutes by car from the airport along the highway that follows the coast.
Best for: Travelers who want the city's historic waterfront, with restaurants, the San Felipe fort and real local life, not resort life.
- The Malecón waterfront within walking distance, with the San Felipe fort and the cathedral nearby
- Lower prices than the tourist areas, with local restaurants outside the resort circuit
- City-center beaches less well-kept than those of Costambar or Playa Dorada
- Area less covered by organized tourism: less English spoken and fewer services aimed at tourists
Recommended hotels
- Apartaestudio en el malecón y cerca de playas Studio apartment on the Puerto Plata waterfront, a few steps from the sea and the city's historic center. View availability
- Apartaestudio en el centro de Puerto Plata Studio apartment in the city center, convenient for those who want to stay within walking distance of the Malecón and local restaurants, without the prices of the tourist areas. View availability
Costambar
About 28-30 minutes from the airport; the area is west of Puerto Plata, past the city center.
Best for: Travelers looking for a quiet residential beach, away from the traffic of the city center.
- Playa Costambar and Playa Grande beaches a few minutes' walk from the area's apartments
- Quiet residential neighborhood, with the Los Mangos golf course less than a kilometer away
- Few restaurants and services in the area itself: for nightlife you need to head to the Malecón or Cofresí
- Without your own car, every trip requires a taxi
Recommended hotels
Playa Dorada
About 20-30 minutes from the airport depending on the exact spot in the complex; it's closer to the terminal than Costambar or the city center.
Best for: Travelers who want the historic all-inclusive and golf area of Puerto Plata.
- The complex has the largest concentration of resorts and the Robert Trent Jones-designed Playa Dorada golf course
- Wide, protected beach, designed for resort families
- Architecture and atmosphere dated compared to the newer resorts on the country's east coast
- Outside the resorts, the offer of independent restaurants is scarce
Recommended hotels
Maimón and Amber Cove (coast beyond the city)
About 45-50 minutes from the airport (about 25 km), west of Puerto Plata past Costambar and Cofresí.
Best for: Travelers visiting Ocean World park or arriving/departing from the Amber Cove cruise port, more than those seeking a base close to the airport.
- Just minutes from Amber Cove and the Ocean World Adventure Park water park
- Less touristy area than the beaches closer to the center, with more affordable prices
- The transfer from the airport is the longest of all the Puerto Plata areas
- Few services within walking distance: the area is designed for those arriving by car or with an organized transfer
Airport services
Shopping & Duty Free
Lounges & relaxation
Connectivity & Wi-Fi
Families & Children
Terminal guide
The terminal is compact compared to Punta Cana. From check-in to gate takes about 10 minutes.
Customs and security checks may take longer than expected during peak tourist times: for international flights it's recommended to arrive at least 3 hours in advance.
Map of Gregorio Luperon International Airport
Frequently asked questions
Q. Punta Cana or Puerto Plata, which is better for a beach holiday?
Punta Cana has the highest concentration of top-end resorts and always calm sea; Puerto Plata and the north coast (Sosúa, Cabarete) offer a more authentic atmosphere and are renowned for water sports like windsurfing.
Q. What is the Puerto Plata cable car?
It connects the city to the top of Pico Isabel de Torres, where there is a botanical garden and a statue of Christ the Redeemer inspired by the one in Rio de Janeiro: it's the only facility of its kind in the whole Caribbean.
Q. Is the E-Ticket needed when arriving in Puerto Plata too?
Yes, the same rules apply to all entries into the country: mandatory online E-Ticket before arrival and before departure.
Q. What to buy at Puerto Plata's duty free?
Amber, a semi-precious stone historically mined right in the Puerto Plata region, as well as Dominican rum and cigars.
Flight board
Real-time status of arriving and departing flights
