Okay so you’ve finally arrived at the vacation of your dreams. Now all you have to do is get out of the airplane and get to the resort so you can start enjoying all that sun. Luckily, Punta Cana airport is not that large so its easy to maneuver your way through it.
Terminal A – usually Canada. When you arrive, you will be off-loaded directly on to the tarmac. Most times they will bring a stairway to both the front and the rear sections of the plane to make it off loading a little quicker. You’ll step out of the plane and immediately enjoy the warmth and the sun on your face. You will then either board a bus to deliver you to imigration, or you will walk there escorted by one of the airport workers.
Terminal B – Usually US flights. When you arrive you will be off-loaded directly into the terminal and will then make your way to immigration.
Your flight includes payment of your tourist card which is good for a stay of 30 days or less. On the airplane you will be given 2 forms to fill out. The narrow form is per person and the wider form is per family.
As you arrive at immigration, a customs officer will stamp your passport and take the narrow form and then you’re off to collect your luggage. There are television screens that will direct you to the correct area for your baggage depending on your flight. There are many porters available to help you with your luggage for a small tip and they will also help you find where to go with your tour company or to get a taxi.
You will then pass through a final check where you will hand over your second form that you received on the plane. It is pretty much standard now that all of your bags will be put through an x-ray and it is possible they will do a secondary search of your luggage at this point but if so it is usually very quick. We frequently bring a large number of suitcases with us so we get searched quite often but I’ve always found the customs officers to be very friendly and polite – even if you don’t speak Spanish!
So now you’re finally through the airport and the taxi and tour companies are waiting directly outside with signs. If traveling with a tour company they will take care of everything for you from here. They will get you loaded into your bus and take you directly to your resort for check in. If traveling by taxi, an English speaking representative will discuss with you where you are going and give you the cost. They are pretty much standard rates from the airport to each hotel depending on the distance and non-negotiable. It can cost you anywhere from $20 for the close resorts to $80 for resorts that are further away.
All that’s left to do is sit back and enjoy the scenery on your way to the hotel!