In the Puerto Plata and the North region, travel is mainly by taxi (USD 10-30 depending on distance between the three towns), motoconcho (local motorcycle taxi, USD 2-5 the short trip) or car hire (€35-55/day, agencies at POP and in main villages). Uber works at Puerto Plata but remains limited — prefer official taxis for long or night trips.
Access to the region from Europe is mainly by flight to Puerto Plata (POP) — Gregorio Luperón International Airport, 18 km east of the city (20-30 min transfer). Scheduled flights: Iberia (Madrid, several times weekly), Edelweiss (Zurich), United (from Newark). Seasonal European charter flights (high season): TUI Fly, Air Transat, Condor from Paris, Brussels, Frankfurt. Paris-POP return fares: €600-1,100 depending on season. Direct or with stop (usually Madrid or New York).
From Punta Cana: long transfer (5-6h drive, 220 km) — Caribe Tours bus (USD 20-25) or domestic flight (Air Century, Sky Cana, €150-250 return, 45 min). From Santo Domingo: 4h drive, Caribe Tours bus USD 15-20, private taxi USD 200-250, or domestic flight €120-180 return.
In the region, Caribe Tours buses link the towns (Puerto Plata-Sosúa-Cabarete by guagua USD 1-2, but prefer taxis for short distances). Car hire is very useful to explore the region and combine with Samaná (3h drive east). Main roads are in good condition, beware of secondary cordillera roads.
In each town, walking is easy in tourist zones: Puerto Plata centre, Sosúa seafront, Cabarete beach and main avenue. Distances between attractions are short (under 1 km).
Read also
- Puerto Plata, Amber Coast capital — Pico Isabel de Torres cable car, Fortaleza San Felipe, colonial historic centre.
- Cabarete, world capital of kitesurfing — World-class conditions, international community, restaurants and hippie-chic vibe.
- Dominican Republic — Complete country guide: visa, currency, regions, best time to visit.
- Samaná — The neighbouring peninsula, accessible in 3h, to combine for a complete northeast trip.