Punta Cana is not a town you walk around. It is a long coast of resorts, beaches and small towns strung along one main road, from Cap Cana in the south through Bávaro and El Cortecito to Macao and Uvero Alto in the north. Unless you stay inside the resort the whole time, you will need rides, and how you take them changes both the cost and how much of the place you see.
The options at a glance#
| Good for | Watch out for | |
|---|---|---|
| Resort taxi | Airport, late nights, door to door | Fixed zone prices that add up fast |
| Uber | Rides between towns and restaurants | Restricted at the airport and some resorts |
| Guagua (minibus) | Cheap rides along Bávaro and Verón | No timetable, can be crowded |
| Motoconcho (motorbike taxi) | Short hops in town | No helmets, not for luggage or night rides |
| Private transfer | Airport arrival, day trips | Book ahead |
| Rental car | Macao, Uvero Alto, Higüey, Santo Domingo | Confident drivers only |
Resort taxis#
Taxis in the tourist zone belong to local associations and work on fixed prices by zone, not meters. There is usually a taxi stand at every large resort, and the driver will often have a printed price list. The rule that matters: agree the price before you get in, and say whether it is in dollars or pesos.
They are the easiest option and the most expensive one. For a single ride to dinner that is fine; for several rides a day, it becomes the biggest line in your budget. See Punta Cana on a budget for where else the money goes.
Uber#
Uber works in Punta Cana and is often cheaper than a resort taxi, but it is patchy. Pickups at the airport and at some resort gates are restricted because of the taxi associations, so drivers may ask to meet you outside the gate, or cancel. Use it for rides between towns, restaurants and beaches, and keep a taxi or transfer for the airport.
Guaguas: how locals get around#
The guagua is the local minibus. In Punta Cana they run up and down the main road through Bávaro, Friusa and Verón, stop wherever someone waves, and cost a small fraction of a taxi. Pay the cobrador (the conductor) in pesos, in small notes. There is no timetable and they can be packed, but in daylight they are a perfectly good way to reach the supermarket, a comedor or the beach at El Cortecito.
If you've never done it, go with someone who has the first time. It is one of the easiest ways to see the Punta Cana that people live in, not just the one they visit — the same Punta Cana as where to eat outside the resort.
Motoconchos#
Motorbike taxis wait on corners in the towns. They are quick and cheap for a short hop, but helmets are rare and they are not for luggage, night rides or anyone nervous on a bike. Agree the price first.
Transfers and the airport#
For arrival day, a pre-arranged transfer is the calm option: someone is waiting with your name, the price is fixed, and you avoid negotiating after a flight. The airport transfer guide compares the options. The airport sits between Cap Cana and Bávaro, so most rides are short; Uvero Alto, at the far north, is the long one — see where to stay in Punta Cana for how the areas compare.
Renting a car#
Worth it only for day trips: the wild beach at Macao and Uvero Alto, Higüey, or the drive to the capital (Santo Domingo to Punta Cana). Driving here takes confidence: motorbikes on both sides, unmarked speed bumps, and roads that are harder to read after dark. For the rest of the country, see getting around the Dominican Republic.
Getting around with a local#
The simplest way to use guaguas, find the right corner for a motoconcho, and know what a ride should cost is to go with someone who does it every day. A Local Friend can show you the Punta Cana beyond the resort gate, from the fishing boats at El Cortecito to a Sunday at Macao — see how to meet locals in Punta Cana.
A Punta Cana Local Friend knows every guagua stop and what a ride should cost.
Browse Local FriendsFrequently Asked Questions
Is there Uber in Punta Cana?
Yes, Uber works in parts of Punta Cana, but it is patchy. Pickups at the airport and at some resort gates are restricted because of the local taxi associations, so plan on a taxi or a pre-arranged transfer for those, and use Uber for rides between towns and restaurants.Are taxis in Punta Cana expensive?
Compared with the rest of the Dominican Republic, yes. Resort taxis work on fixed zone prices rather than meters, and short rides can cost more than you expect. Always agree the price in dollars or pesos before you get in.What is a guagua?
A guagua is the local minibus. In Punta Cana they run along the main road through Bávaro and Verón, stop wherever someone waves, and cost a small fraction of a taxi. They are how most people who live there get around.Should I rent a car in Punta Cana?
Only if you plan day trips further afield, such as Macao, Uvero Alto, Higüey or the drive to Santo Domingo. Driving in the Dominican Republic takes confidence: motorbikes everywhere, unmarked speed bumps and roads that change quickly after dark.How far is the airport from the hotels?
Punta Cana International Airport sits between Cap Cana and Bávaro. Cap Cana is the closest; most of Bávaro is a short drive; Uvero Alto, at the far north of the coast, is the longest ride.
