Punta Cana Airport Guide 2026 (PUJ): Terminals, Transfers & Tips

Punta Cana International Airport (IATA: PUJ) is the busiest airport in the Caribbean, with over 8 million passengers a year and direct flights from North America, Europe and Latin America. Its open-air, palm-thatched terminals are iconic — but for first-time visitors, navigating arrivals, customs and ground transport can be confusing. This 2026 guide covers everything.

Terminals & airlines

PUJ has two main terminals: Terminal A (charter and most European carriers — Air France, Edelweiss, TUI, Iberojet, World2Fly) and Terminal B (most North American carriers — JetBlue, American, Delta, United, Air Canada, WestJet, Spirit, Frontier, plus Avianca, Copa and LATAM). All terminals share a single arrivals area.

Arrivals process

1. Disembark — walk 5-10 min through covered open-air corridors. 2. Immigration — present passport and e-Ticket QR (the digital tourist card is now mandatory and free at eticket.migracion.gob.do). 3. Baggage claim — average 20-30 min wait. 4. Customs — random green/red light system, usually green. 5. Exit to arrivals hall, where your private transfer driver waits with a sign.

E-Ticket (digital tourist card)

Since 2025 the paper tourist card is replaced by a free e-Ticket. Fill it in online up to 72 hours before flying at eticket.migracion.gob.do — both an entry and an exit form are required. Save the QR codes on your phone.

Baggage allowance & oversized items

Check your airline's policy — most international flights to PUJ allow 1-2 checked bags of 23 kg. Surfboards, golf bags and strollers are usually free with prior notice. Lost-baggage office is at the back of the baggage claim hall.

Ground transport options

1. Private transfer (recommended) — pre-booked, flat rate, driver waiting with sign. See our Punta Cana airport transfers pillar page. 2. Shared shuttle — cheaper per person but 60-90 min slower due to multi-hotel stops. 3. Airport taxi — at the curb outside arrivals, $40-90 USD with no fixed rate. 4. Rental car — 6 agencies on-site (Hertz, Avis, Budget, Sixt, Europcar, Alamo); useful if you plan day trips outside Punta Cana.

Lounges & amenities

VIP Lounge Punta Cana (Priority Pass and pay-per-use, ~$45 USD) in both terminals. Free Wi-Fi throughout. ATMs dispensing USD and DOP. Pharmacy and duty-free shopping airside. No left-luggage service.

Best zones to reach from PUJ

Bávaro / El Cortecito (25 min — see PUJ to Bávaro page). Cap Cana (20 min — see PUJ to Cap Cana page). Uvero Alto / Macao (45 min — see PUJ to Uvero Alto page). Bayahibe / La Romana (70 min — see PUJ to Bayahibe page). Santo Domingo (2h via Autopista del Coral — see PUJ to Santo Domingo page).

Tips for a smooth arrival

1. Pre-book your transfer to skip taxi negotiation. 2. Fill in the e-Ticket before you fly. 3. Bring USD cash for tips ($1-5 per service). 4. Mobile data: buy a Claro or Altice eSIM before you land. 5. If you arrive at 11pm-3am, a private transfer is dramatically faster than a taxi.