How to get from Santiago Airport (STI) to Puerto Plata

Amy Psycha

Creative Writer & Strategic Copywriter

March 26, 2024

San Felipe de Puerto Plata is a city located in the northwestern Dominican Republic and is the capital of the province of Puerto Plata. It is one of the most important tourist destinations in the country, known for its exquisite beaches, gorgeous scenery, and local nightlife. The city has resorts, casinos, golf courts, restaurants, and bars. There are also many historical sites to explore, such as Fort San Felipe and the Cathedral of San Felipe, as well as many stunning natural areas just outside the city, such as Amber Cove, Monkey Jungle, and the 27 Waterfalls of Damajagua.

The distance from Santiago Airport (STI) to Puerto Plata is about 70 km, and you can get there by taxi or a private-hire vehicle. An airport taxi from Cibao International Airport to Puerto Plata takes approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes, making it the quickest and only direct transport option. If you’re on a budget and want to get to Puerto Plata by public transport instead, you will need to take a minimum of three buses; the trip by bus isn’t recommended, as it would more than double your travel time – especially considering the wait times between the transfers.

Welcome Pickups offers meet and greet services and a friendly introduction to Santiago de los Caballeros at the same price as a regular taxi. Click here to see the cost.

Book a trusted, English-speaking driver to pick you up at the same price as a regular taxi Learn more

Comparison of the options

PRICE FOR 2PASSENGERS

OPTION	PRICE	DURATION	AVAILABILITY
Taxi	€200	90min	24/7

How to get from Santiago De Los Caballeros Airport to Puerto Plata by taxi

An STI Airport shuttle to Puerto Plata is the fastest and your only direct transport option. On average, a taxi shuttle from Cibao International Airport to Puerto Plata takes 1 hour and 30 minutes and costs roughly €200 (DOP 12,045).

Taxi fare from Santiago Airport (STI) to Puerto Plata

On average, a taxi shuttle from Santiago Airport (STI) to Puerto Plata costs €200 (DOP 12,045), and the ride lasts around 90 minutes. As local taxis don’t always follow the standard rates, the actual fare can vary, so we recommend booking in advance with a trusted company after enquiring about rates and potential surcharges.

Since Puerto Plata and Santiago de los Caballeros are different cities, you may face additional fees. If you plan on returning to Santiago by taxi, ask some taxi companies if they offer a better rate when booking a roundtrip transfer from Santiago, Dominican Republic Airport to Puerto Plata. Keep in mind that when travelling in a group, it may be more economical to book a minivan from Santiago de los Caballeros to Puerto Plata instead of using separate taxis. To ensure your travel needs are met and secure a competitive set rate fee for your STI Airport shuttle to Puerto Plata, you can book your ride in advance.

Cost

€200

Trip Duration

90 Min

*Prices may vary unless booked in advance.

Convenience

Safety

Value for Money

Taxis are available 24/7 at Santiago de los Caballeros Airport.

Where do I get the taxi from?

The taxi rank at Santiago de los Caballeros Airport is outside the terminal, alongside the curb.

Convenience

A taxi or private shuttle from Cibao International Airport to Puerto Plata is the only transportation option that is direct, fast, and easy. There’s no need to waste your precious vacation time waiting for multiple buses or tire yourself out by lugging heavy bags from one stop to the next. With an STI Airport shuttle to Puerto Plata, your private driver will take you directly from the airport to the door of your accommodation in just 90 minutes.

Editor’s Note

In Santiago De Los Caballeros, taxi drivers may not speak English well. Use a map or app to help your driver and avoid the language barrier.

Useful Tips

It is common practice to negotiate the fare with taxi drivers when travelling in Santiago, Dominican Republic, so it may be helpful to have an estimated cost for the trip beforehand.

In the Dominican Republic, tipping is usually 10% but check if it's already included in the price before paying.

Taxis in Santiago commonly accept both credit cards and cash and may accept payment in USD or EUR. It's important to always confirm payment options with the driver before beginning the journey.

Frequently asked questions

What’s the cost of an STI Airport shuttle to Puerto Plata?

Getting an STI Airport shuttle to Puerto Plata usually costs €200 (DOP 12,045) and takes around 90 minutes. However, fares can vary, so it’s best to book in advance with a trusted company and ask about their rates and surcharges. If you plan to return to Santiago, make sure to enquire about the rate for a roundtrip transfer from Santiago – Dominican Republic Airport to Puerto Plata, and if you’re travelling in a large group, consider booking a minivan. To secure a competitive set rate fee for your shuttle from Cibao International Airport to Puerto Plata, you can book in advance.

How do I get from Cibao International Airport taxi to Puerto Plata?

The distance between Santiago Airport and Puerto Plata is approximately 70 km. Taking a taxi or private shuttle from Cibao International Airport to Puerto Plata is the quickest option, with a travel time of around 1 hour and 30 minutes. The average taxi from Santiago Airport (STI) to Puerto Plata costs €200 (DOP 12,045), and it is the only direct way to reach the city, whilst booking a private transfer in advance can ensure a competitive set rate fee for your Santiago (STI) Airport shuttle to Puerto Plata.

If you’re looking for a public transport alternative, it would involve taking three buses, with a travel time of around 3 hours – excluding wait times.

Is there a bus from Santiago Airport STI to Puerto Plata?

The quickest choice is a taxi or private shuttle from Cibao International Airport to Puerto Plata, which is also the only direct option. To get to your destination by bus instead is indeed possible, but not convenient; you would need to account for 2 changes – seeing as you’ll have to take three different buses, with a total travel time of approximately 3 hours, without including wait times that could occur depending on your arrival time and the bus schedules. To save time and effort, it’s recommended to choose a taxi or private transfer if you wish to make that particular route.

Was this helpful?

The best way to arrive in Santiago de los Caballeros

High-end transfer service at the same price as a regular taxi. Available in 327 destinations.

Learn more

How to get from Santiago Airport (STI) to Puerto Plata

Book a trusted, English-speaking driver to pick you up at the same price as a regular taxi Learn more

How to get from Santiago De Los Caballeros Airport to Puerto Plata by taxi