The Dominican Republic's capital and its biggest resort area are about 200 km apart along the eastern highway. Most visitors do this trip at least once, either because they flew into the wrong airport or because they want to see both.
How long it takes
Roughly 2.5 to 3 hours by road, and closer to 3.5 hours if you leave Santo Domingo at rush hour. The highway itself is good; getting out of the capital is the slow part.
Leave early. A 7am departure beats a 5pm one by most of an hour.
Option 1: The Expreso Bávaro bus
The budget option, and a comfortable one. Expreso Bávaro runs direct air-conditioned buses between Santo Domingo and Bávaro several times a day in both directions.
- Good for: solo travellers and couples with normal luggage
- Watch out for: the last bus of the day, and getting from the Bávaro stop to your hotel (a taxi from the stop)
- Do this: check the current timetable on the company's website, and arrive early on Fridays, Sundays and holidays
Option 2: A private transfer
A driver collects you at your hotel or the airport and drops you at the door at the other end.
- Good for: families, groups, heavy luggage, and anyone arriving late
- Watch out for: agree the price in writing, and confirm whether it's per vehicle or per person
For the airport side, see Punta Cana airport transfers.
Option 3: Rent a car
The eastern highway is one of the easier drives in the country, and a car lets you stop in La Romana or Bayahíbe on the way.
- Good for: confident drivers who want to explore
- Watch out for: driving in and out of Santo Domingo, motorbikes, and driving after dark
Read driving in the Dominican Republic first. It's honest about when not to.
Option 4: Taxi or Uber
A taxi will do the whole trip; agree the fare before you get in. Uber works well inside Santo Domingo, but for this route it's a long, pricey ride, and picking up from a Punta Cana resort is often restricted. For the return trip, a pre-booked transfer is more reliable.
Which should you pick?
| You are... | Take |
|---|
|---|---|
| Solo or a couple, travelling light | Expreso Bávaro |
|---|---|
| A family or group | Private transfer |
| Wanting stops on the way | Rental car |
| Arriving late at night | Private transfer |
Worth stopping on the way
La Romana and Bayahíbe sit halfway along the route. Bayahíbe is a small fishing village with calm water and the boats to Saona and Catalina; see the Bayahíbe guide.
At either end
In Santo Domingo, start with the Zona Colonial. In Punta Cana, get one day outside the resort. A Local Friend who lives there can collect you and show you the country fifteen minutes from the hotel: rent a local friend in Punta Cana, or in the capital, Santo Domingo.
For every other route in the country, see getting around the Dominican Republic.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the drive from Santo Domingo to Punta Cana?
Usually around 2.5 to 3 hours along the eastern highway, and closer to 3.5 hours if you hit traffic leaving Santo Domingo. Leaving early in the morning makes the biggest difference.Is there a bus from Santo Domingo to Punta Cana?
Yes. Expreso Bávaro runs direct buses between Santo Domingo and Bávaro several times a day in both directions. Check the current timetable on its website before you go, and arrive early at busy times.Can I take an Uber from Santo Domingo to Punta Cana?
You can request one, but it's a long, expensive ride, and Uber pickups at Punta Cana resorts are often restricted. For the return trip especially, a pre-booked transfer is more reliable.Should I fly into Santo Domingo or Punta Cana?
Fly into Punta Cana if you're staying on the east coast, and Santo Domingo if you want the capital. If you want both, flying into one and out of the other saves a long road trip.Is it worth visiting Santo Domingo from Punta Cana for a day?
Yes, if you can handle about six hours on the road. The Zona Colonial is the oldest European city in the Americas and is nothing like the resort coast. Two days is better than one.
