Road Trip from Las Americas Airport: 3 Routes through the Dominican Republic

Las Americas International Airport has an advantage that few take advantage of: it is in the geographical center of the country, not at one end. From its exit in Punta Caucedo, you can take three completely different directions and reach the east coast, the mountainous Cibao, or the desert southwest without passing through the same place twice. The Dominican Republic also has a network of toll highways that makes these journeys faster than the map suggests. At Nelly Rent a Car, we have been on these roads for more than 60 years and deliver vehicles at the airport. Here are three routes with real-world times.

Route 1: To the East, the Coast of Beaches and Punta Cana

This is the most direct route and one that does not require entering Santo Domingo. Leaving the airport to the east via Autopista Las Américas, you reach Boca Chica in ten minutes and Juan Dolio in thirty. Continuing on Autopista del Este, you pass through San Pedro de Macorís, birthplace of a disproportionate number of Major League Baseball players, and arrive in La Romana in just over an hour, home to Altos de Chavón and Casa de Campo. From there, Bayahíbe is fifteen minutes away and is the departure point for Saona Island, within Cotubanamá National Park. If you continue on Autovía del Coral, which is about 70 kilometers long and four lanes, you will reach Punta Cana in approximately two total hours from the airport. This is the ideal route for those who want to hit the beach from day one.

Route 2: To the North, Mountains and Cibao via Autopista Duarte

This route crosses the country from south to north and changes scenery three times. From the airport, you take Autopista Las Américas towards the capital and connect with Autopista Duarte, which crosses Villa Altagracia and Piedra Blanca before reaching Bonao in just over an hour, a good stop for Salto de Socoa or the La Confluencia spa. Forty minutes further is La Vega, from where you can detour to Jarabacoa and its waterfalls, or to Constanza, in a valley about 1,200 meters high. Santiago is about two and a half hours from the airport, and Puerto Plata three and a half hours via the highway connecting with Navarrete. This is the route for those who want to see the real country and not just the coast. We recommend an SUV if your plan includes Constanza.

Route 3: To the Southwest, the Less Traveled Road

This is the route that almost no tourist takes and the most spectacular in terms of scenery. From the airport, you skirt the capital and take Carretera Sánchez to the west, passing through Baní and Azua. Barahona is about three and a half hours away, and from there the coastal road towards Paraíso and Enriquillo hugs cliffs over the Caribbean Sea with pebble beaches and rivers that flow directly into the coast. At the southwestern tip is Bahía de las Águilas, within Jaragua National Park, considered by many to be the most pristine beach in the country. Here the warnings are real: fewer gas stations, sections without cell phone signal, and winding mountain roads with sharp curves after Barahona. This is a route for a minimum of three days and with a high-clearance vehicle.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I rent a car directly at Las Americas Airport?

Yes. Nelly Rent a Car delivers vehicles at Las Americas International Airport, allowing you to head directly to your destination without passing through the city. You need a valid driver's license from your country, a passport, and a credit card in the driver's name. INTRANT, an agency created by Law 63-17, practically applies a period of up to 90 days of stay to drive with a foreign license.

How long does it take from Las Americas Airport to Punta Cana?

Around two hours via Autopista del Este and Autovía del Coral, without needing to enter Santo Domingo. It is a highway route for almost the entire journey, with several tolls that are best paid in cash in Dominican pesos. Many travelers make it with a stop in Juan Dolio or La Romana to break up the drive.

Do Dominican roads have tolls and how do you pay?

Yes. Autopista Las Américas, Autopista Duarte, Autovía del Coral, and Autovía del Nordeste towards Samaná operate with tolls. The most practical thing is to carry cash in Dominican pesos, as not all toll booths reliably accept cards. Amounts vary by section and are usually moderate compared to other countries in the region.

Is it safe to do a road trip in the Dominican Republic?

The main highways are in good condition and are the usual way to travel between provinces. Real precautions include driving during the day on secondary roads, maintaining distance from motorcycles, which circulate in large numbers and sometimes without lights, and filling up the tank before entering rural areas. For emergencies, the national 9-1-1 system operates throughout the country.

Can I pick up the car in one location and drop it off in another?

Yes. Nelly Rent a Car has offices in Santo Domingo, Santiago, Puerto Plata, and Punta Cana, allowing you to design one-way routes without retracing your steps. For example, pick up at Las Americas Airport, cross the country via Autopista Duarte, and drop off in Puerto Plata. It is advisable to confirm the conditions when booking.

Las Americas Airport is in the center of the country, so a well-planned road trip allows you to get to know three distinct regions without repeating roads. Nelly Rent a Car has been operating in the Dominican Republic for over 60 years, with offices in Santo Domingo, Santiago, Puerto Plata, and Punta Cana. Write to us at 809-687-7997 or reservas@nellyrac.com and pick up your vehicle upon landing.