Gregorio Luperon International Airport

Gregorio Luperón International Airport (POP) serves Puerto Plata, the Dominican Republic's north coast and its Atlantic beaches. Located 18 km east of Puerto Plata, it's the gateway to the Amber Coast and Dominican Republic's original tourist region.

The airport has a single terminal with basic facilities. Handles primarily charter and seasonal traffic from North America and Europe.

Key airlines: JetBlue, United, Spirit, Air Canada, WestJet, Condor, Edelweiss, and various charter carriers.

POP serves the north coast:

• To Puerto Plata: 18 km, 25-30 minutes
• To Playa Dorada resorts: 10 km, 15-20 minutes
• To Sosúa: 8 km, 10-15 minutes
• To Cabarete: 15 km, 20-25 minutes
• To Santiago: 100 km, 1.5 hours

Uber does not operate in Puerto Plata. Use taxis or hotel transfers.

Taxis at the airport:

• Fixed rates by destination
• To Puerto Plata: $25-30 USD
• To Sosúa: $25-30
• To Cabarete: $30-35

Resort Transfers

Most all-inclusive resorts include airport transfers—the most common option.

Rental Car

Rent a car: Useful for exploring the coast. Agencies at the airport.

Type	Daily Rate	Notes
Main lot	$10/day	Terminal adjacent

POP has limited dining:

Terminal:

• Dominican restaurant/bar
• Snack options
• Basic facilities

Small airport with few options.

Network: POP Airport WiFi

• Cost: Free (limited)
• Speed: Basic

SIM cards from:

• Shops in Puerto Plata or Sosúa
• Limited airport options

ATM in the terminal.

Currency: Dominican Peso (DOP). Approximately 58 DOP = 1 USD.

USD widely accepted in tourist areas.

• Duty-free (limited)
• Dominican cigars and rum
• Basic souvenirs

No formal lounges at this regional airport.

Resorts at Playa Dorada or boutique hotels in Sosúa and Cabarete. Puerto Plata city has limited tourist accommodation.

Puerto Plata is the Dominican Republic's Atlantic coast—kitesurfing, amber museums, and the original DR tourism destination:

Key destinations (with travel time from airport):

• Sosúa: 15 min—beach town, diving, restaurants
• Cabarete: 25 min—world-famous kitesurfing and windsurfing
• Puerto Plata: 30 min—cable car, Amber Museum, colonial center
• Playa Dorada: 20 min—all-inclusive resort complex

Top attractions:

• Teleférico (Cable Car): Ride to Mount Isabel de Torres, Christ statue
• Amber Museum: Dominican amber with preserved insects
• Playa Sosúa: Popular crescent beach, snorkeling
• 27 Waterfalls of Damajagua: Jump and slide through waterfalls
• Ocean World: Marine park, dolphin encounters

Activities:

• Kitesurfing/Windsurfing: Cabarete is world-class, especially Kite Beach
• Surfing: Playa Encuentro for beginners and intermediates
• Diving: Good reef diving from Sosúa
• 27 Waterfalls: Adventure tour, jumping into pools

Food & drink:

• La Bandera: "The Flag"—rice, beans, meat, salad
• Mofongo: Mashed plantains with garlic
• Sancocho: Hearty meat and root vegetable stew
• Mamajuana: Infused rum/wine/honey—Dominican specialty
• Presidente beer: The national beer

Local tips:

• Cabarete is the spot: Best for active travelers, nightlife, dining
• Sosúa history: Founded by Jewish refugees in 1940
• All-inclusive vs boutique: Playa Dorada is AI; Sosúa/Cabarete are independent
• Kitesurfing season: Year-round, but November-April best winds
• Rain: Occasional tropical showers; don't let it stop you
• 27 Waterfalls: Requires physical activity; bring water shoes
• Safety: Tourist areas are safe; use common sense
• Amber: Dominican amber is famous—real vs. fake in shops
• Puerto Plata was DR's first tourist region (1970s)
• The north coast has different vibe than Punta Cana—more independent travelers