Public transport in Punta Cana – the ultimate guide for getting around in Punta Cana

Public transport in Punta Cana might be tricky – but it is fun for getting around in Punta Cana if you know how it works (and are up for some adventure). Therefore, if you are interested to save a considerable amount of money while being on vacation in Punta Cana, continue reading. With more than 6 years of experience living in Punta Cana and riding public buses in the Dominican Republic, reckless moto-taxis and overcrowded guaguas, I have summarized all my knowledge and put together this ultimate guide on public transport in Punta Cana. And do not worry, there are also comfortable buses, air-condition (sometimes) and some set rules – as soon as you know them, you can have a smooth ride in Bavaro and Punta Cana.

Completely UPDATED by your Punta Cana expert Chris: November 2025
(all prices updated, all information double-checked, public transport accessible resorts updated, changed public transport map slightly, add Miches route, streamlined text information, added current photos and more)

This is the ultimate Punta Cana public transportation guide. Are you looking for more detailed information on specific destinations? Check out the following posts:
– transportation options from Punta Cana to Santo Domingo
– buses and transfers from Santo Domingo to Punta Cana
– Punta Cana airport transfers (private and public transportation)
– how to get from Punta Cana to Puerto Plata (or vice versa)
– how to get from Punta Cana to Barahona

Quick overview: what to expect in terms of public transportation in Punta Cana

Transportation in Punta Cana can be bothersome if you want to avoid expensive taxis. Public transport is cheap, but you need an adventurous soul to take it. Here are some of the most important things you need to know at a glance, which are all explained further below in this detailed article:

• Buses in Punta Cana are cheap and are usually only 1-2 USD per ride
• There is no official public transport map for Punta Cana which is why I have created one further below
• Don’t travel on the local buses in Punta Cana with a lot of luggage. A backpack is okay.
• Buses are safe in Punta Cana, but watch your pockets and boarding and deboarding the bus.
• If in doubt (about prices or the direction), ask the driver’s assistant or fellow passengers.
• Most resorts in Punta Cana are served by public transport, but they will drop you only at the main gate, not at the lobby.
• Especially if you’re travelling in a party of 3, 4 or more, Uber in Punta Cana is an excellent alternative and usually very affordable.

What types of (public) transport you can expect in Punta Cana?

“Guagua” is the Dominican word for a bus, a maxi van, a route taxi or for everything which fits in between 10 and 50 passengers – usually with less amount of seats, as buses tend to be cramped. Sometimes, the word guagua is also used for buses bigger than 50 seats, but usually, those are called “autobus” or at least “guagua grande”. Traveling in a guagua to get around in Punta Cana is perfectly safe, but be prepared for close contact with the local people and very limited space for luggage, legs or any other things you would like to take with you. Guaguas in Bavaro and Punta Cana ply different routes. I am explaining below how they are working, which bus routes in Punta Cana are existing and how you can get by bus from Punta Cana to Santo Domingo.

95% of all public transport options in the Dominican Republic are guaguas, but you might also find some proper buses in the area. In Punta Cana, this particularly applies to the main route from Higuey via Verón to Bavaro. Those buses are comfortable, air-conditioned, spacious and are similar or sometimes even better (some of them are recently imported from Asia) than what you are used to in your home country. Same as guaguas, buses in Punta Cana are cheap as well and absolutely safe – the perfect way to get around by public transport in Punta Cana and Bavaro.

Those buses are also the ones plying the route from Higuey or Punta Cana to Santo Domingo.

If you just want a quick ride or if your destination is not covered by one of the public buses, motoconchos are the best choice to get around in Punta Cana – in a cheap way as well. A motoconcho is nothing else than a motorcycle-taxi that fits 1 or 2 passengers. This kind of taxi is waiting around every corner in Bavaro and Punta Cana and rides usually just cost 2-4 US-Dollar depending on the distance. Make sure to negotiate prices.

As the traffic in the Dominican Republic is (literally) hit-and-miss, I would not recommend too long rides as the safety of motoconchos is questionable, to say the least. However, if you get a careful driver, you can ride this kind of “special taxis” without a problem. I have already been on dozens or even hundreds of motoconchos and nothing has happened so far. Still, I would only recommend it for adventurous travelers.

In case you are staying longer in Punta Cana (1 month and more) and need multiple rides, it is very recommended that you try to find a reliable motoconcho and get his phone number and/or WhatsApp. Usually, you get better prices when you start using someone’s services regularly.

How do Motoconchos work: If you would like to ride with a motoconcho in Punta Cana, you probably do not have to do anything. Once the drivers see people walking on the street, they approach them automatically and ask if they need a ride. If you see a motorcycle coming to you once you leave the resort or your apartment, mention your destination and the driver will tell you the price. Usually, you must negotiate a bit, because the drivers try to make some extra money by setting the prices higher than the regular fare is. From the starting price, a discount of 30-50% is usually possible so please do not accept the first price. If you are two people, make sure you are talking about the price for the whole ride and not per person. Once agreed on the price, get on the motorcycle and enjoy the ride. At the end of the ride, you pay.

Poppi’s are the newest way of getting around in Punta Cana. This transportation option only came to Punta Cana around 2022 and has conquered the streets since then.

A Poppy Express is a tricycle-like taxi, like you might know from Asia. They’re abundant, especially in Thailand or India. They have now found their way into Punta Cana and can either be hailed on the street or ordered through WhatsApp. They bring you everywhere you want and you will see plenty of them around Bavaro, Veron and Punta Cana.

Prices for Poppi Express vary depending on the distance you’d like to travel. You can expect prices to be on par with Uber more or less. This being said, I usually find it more attractive to call an Uber. However, if you just want to quickly hop into a vehicle right on the road, a passing Poppi can be more convenient than waiting for an Uber. A Poppi Express fits a maximum of 3 people.

If you are on vacation in Punta Cana and you don’t want to deal with public transportation while navigating in Bavaro, just take a taxi. They are available at every hotel, the airport and other main access points (such as malls, supermarkets, the Punta Cana bus stations or frequented restaurants) and are perfectly safe, as long as they are part of a taxi association. Fortunately, taxi crime like in many other Latin American countries, does not exist in the Dominican Republic (read more about the safety in Punta Cana here). Taxi prices in Punta Cana are very expensive in Punta Cana, usually 20 USD and up, even for short rides.

After its bumpy start during Covid-times, Uber in Punta Cana is now fully regulated and works like a breeze. Despite the occurrence of Uber, traditional taxis haven’t lowered their prices a single cent since then, which is why Uber has a significant pricing advantage. Uber rides are usually around 50-80% cheaper than traditional taxis.

Uber is a great option for getting around in Punta Cana nowadays and works on most occasions, but it is always great to not rely 100% on it. A few examples are:
– Uber is not available in certain areas such as Uvero Alto, Miches or mostly also Macao Beach.
– If you order an Uber inside your resort, you sometimes have to pay the higher Uber Select fare, which is more than double than the regular Uber price
– Uber is possible for your airport transportation in Punta Cana, but an airport surcharge will be added automatically to your Uber price (included in the fare)

However, when Uber is available, it usually works like a breeze. Just don’t accept any Uber drivers who ask you to cancel the ride, always pay through the platform.

Shared shuttles are a combination between a taxi and a guagua. On the one hand, you share the shuttle with other passengers you might not know, on the other hand, it goes straight from A to B without too many other stops. Furthermore, they are designed for big loads of luggage, so they are a perfect compromise if you are looking to travel cheaply but with your full number of travel bags. Shuttles are mainly used for international tourists, so there is usually no problem speaking English.

Currently, there are only three regular shuttle routes in Punta Cana available for as low as 9 USD per passenger per way:
– Shuttle Punta Cana Airport – Resorts in Bavaro/Punta Cana*
– Shuttle Punta Cana Airport – Uvero Alto*
– Shuttle Punta Cana Airport – La Romana/Bayahibe*

Furthermore, some malls and shopping places like Mundo Autentico, Taino Gift Store, Bella Mare or Blue Mall Punta Cana are offering free shuttles between their places and the resort. Consult your concierge or ask the shops directly about their shuttle schedules.

Editor’s Choice: the best experiences 2025

Most unique experience in a small group: Authentic rum tasting* (rating 4.81/5)
Best Rated Punta Cana excursion: Isla Saona Premium in small groups* (rating 4.95/5)
Most booked through Punta Cana Travel Blog: Small-Group Snorkeling* (rating 4.92/5)
Best off-the-beaten-track excursion: Montana Redonda & Costa Esmeralda* (rating 4.77/5)
Best excursion for family fun: Jungle Buggies + Zipline Combo* (rating 4.89/5)
New and trending for 2025: Mimosa Cruise*

Not the right tour for you?
Check out the 45 best Punta Cana excursions here at Punta Cana Travel Blog!

My personal travel hack: don’t forget your health insurance*! Ite only costs a few bucks, but it can save you a fortune as doctors and hospitals in Punta Cana usually charge hundreds or thousands, even for simple treatments. Compare prices here* (Trustpilot review score 4.8/5.0)

Price comparison of public transport in Punta Cana

I have already mentioned a couple of prices for taxis, Poppi Express and buses in Punta Cana, but let me give you a real-world example and comparison, so you know exactly what to expect.

Let’s assume you’d like to travel from Grand Bavaro Princess in the centre of Bavaro to Jumbo supermarket for some grocery and souvenir shopping. Here are the prices depending on which transportation option you choose:

Transfer times and prices in Punta Cana

Guaguas and Buses – public transport in Punta Cana

Bus routes in Punta Cana

 Guaguas and buses ply different routes of public transport in Punta Cana. To give you a comprehensive overview, I am covering the whole Province of La Altagracia here, which is the region where all hotels and resorts of Punta Cana and beyond (Cap Cana, Cabeza de Toro, Bavaro, Macao, Uvero Alto) are located.

 In total, there are around 10 routes, but please note that they are not numbered (so the numbers are just for orientation here in this article). Usually, they have a sign on the front shield showing their destination.

Public transport Routes within Bavaro and Punta Cana

1) Cap Cana – Punta Cana Airport – Cruce de Verón (yellow line in the map below)
2) Cruce de Verón – Downtown Bavaro – Palma Real Mall (pink line in the map below)
3) (coming from Higuey – same as number 7 below) Cruce de Verón – Downtown Bavaro – Palma Real Mall – Los Corales – El Cortecito – Friusa (occasionally continuing to Machiplan on request, not guaranteed) (red line in the map below)
4) Friusa – El Cortecito – Los Corales – Downtown Bavaro – Friusa (purple line in the map below)

Public transport routes between Bavaro/Punta Cana and Higuey (the province of the capital)

5) Higuey – La Otrabanda – Cruce de Verón – Punta Cana Airport (blue line in the map below)
6) Higuey – La Otrabanda – Cruce de Verón – Veron – Cabeza de Toro (dark green line in the map below)
7) Higuey – La Otrabanda – Cruce de Verón – Downtown Bavaro – Palma Real Mall – Los Corales – El Cortecito – Friusa (sometimes continuing to Machiplan, not guaranteed) (red line in the map below)
8) Higuey – La Otrabanda – La Ceiba – Hard Rock Punta Cana – Machiplan/Arena Gorda (grey line in the map below)
9) Higuey – La Otrabanda – La Ceiba – Macao – Uvero Alto (light green line in the map below)
10) Higuey – La Otrabanda – La Vacama – Las Lisas – Miches (black line in the map below)

+ special route through Punta Cana up to Miches (only 3 times a day): Punta Cana – Cruce de Veron – Friusa – Machiplan – Miches (orange line in the map below)

TOP 12 Punta Cana Excursions

Isla Saona: Saona Info | Book it*
Private Saona Island Tour: Private Tour Info | Book it*
Dune buggy and ATV excursion: Buggy Info | Book it*
Punta Cana Ziplining: Zipline Info | Book it*
Party boat & booze cruise: Party Boat Info | Book it*
Best Nightlife Show: Coco Bongo Info | Book it*
Scape Park Cap Cana & Blue Lagoon: Blue Lagoon Info | Book it*
Los Haitises National Park: Los Haitises Info | Book it*
Santo Domingo: Santo Domingo Info | Book it*
Samaná (Salto El Limón & Cayo Levantado): Samaná Info | Book it*
Helicopter & airplane tours: Helicopter Info | Book it*
Whale watching (Jan-Mar only): Whale watching Info | Book it*

Looking for more inspiration? Check out the 40+ best Punta Cana tours!

Most important thing to book before your trip – what most people forget: health insurance for the Dominican Republic – get prices here*
(gets you covered in case of illness, accidents or necessary medical treatments)

Map of public transport in Punta Cana and Bavaro

 Even the whole public transport in Bavaro is organized by associations and syndicates, there is no official (nor an unofficial ) map for the public transport system in Punta Cana. Hence if you would like to know how to get around in the area, you should know the routes, buses, etc.

 That’s why I have created a map with all the guagua and bus routes (note that the only line where proper big buses are running is the one from Higuey via Verón to Bavaro, Friusa (numbered “3” and “7” above), the main bus station in Punta Cana. 

(c) cartographic raw data: Open Street Map (c) map creation and public transport display: Punta Cana Travel Blog(c) cartographic raw data: Open Street Map (c) map creation and public transport display: Punta Cana Travel Blog

 As some of the connections go all the way to Higuey, the capital of the province La Altagracia, I have included those on the map as well. 

How does the public transport system in Punta Cana and Bavaro works?

There are a few important rules to know in the Dominican Republic when getting around by public transport which differ from the typical system we are used to in Europe and North America.

 First of all, there are no bus stops (except for the long-distance buses from Punta Cana to Santo Domingo). You can flag down buses everywhere and can tell the driver to get out at any place you want. There is an exception in some express services between Higuey and Bavaro/Friusa which are called “expresos” and just have around a dozen predetermined stops.

 Second, you need to recognize the buses. Most of them are typical Dominican guaguas which are kind of a maxi van with usually around 30 seats. They are recognizable by their sign on the front shield showing the destination and by the logo and wording of their association on the side of the vehicle. Usually, these associations are called Sitrabapu, Sitrahimi, Sitrahima or Asovebapu. Those are all abbreviations; for example, Sitrabapu stands for “Sindicato de transporte de Bavaro y Punta Cana”.

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 The third thing is that you pay directly on the bus, the conductor / cobrador (the assistant of the driver) will approach you during the ride and collect the money. There are no bus tickets.

 This is valid for all the public transportation buses in Punta Cana mentioned above. The only exception is the Punta Cana – Santo Domingo bus, where you buy tickets at the Bavaro/Punta Cana bus station in Friusa or Verón.

Prices for public buses in Punta Cana

 Talking about tickets brings us right to the next point, the prices – which are, generally spoken, pretty cheap, especially for Western standards. An internal ride within Bavaro and Punta Cana usually costs between 75 and 85 DOP (around 1.30 USD), all the routes from Higuey to the Punta Cana area are around 175 to 200 DOP (approx. 3 USD). If you want to know it exactly, here are the prices for the individual routes including the year when I last took them.

 For routes within Punta Cana and Bavaro:

– Bavaro (Friusa, Los Corales, El Cortecito) – Verón: 85 DOP (2025)
– Bavaro (Friusa, Downtown, Los Corales, El Cortecito) – Bavaro (Friusa, Downtown, Los Corales, El Cortecito): 75 DOP (2025)
– Punta Cana Airport – Verón: 75 DOP (2025)

 For routes between the area of Higuey and the area of Punta Cana / Bavaro:

– Higuey – Bavaro (Friusa, Downtown, Los Corales, El Cortecito etc.): 185 DOP (2025)
– Higuey – Bavaro (Friusa, Downtown, Los Corales, El Cortecito etc.), Express Bus: 200 DOP (2025)
– Higuey – Bavaro (Arena Gorda/Machiplan): 145 DOP (2021) (probably 180 DOP now in 2026)
– Higuey – Junction to Macao: 90 DOP (2018) (probably 140 DOP now in 2026)
– Higuey – Punta Cana Airport: 130 DOP (2018) (probably 170 DOP now in 2026)
– Higuey – Uvero Alto: 120 DOP (2018) (probably 170 DOP now in 2026)
– Higuey – Verón: 90 DOP (2018) (probably 135 DOP now in 2026)
– Junction 104/105 (close to La Otrabanda) – Bavaro (Arena Gorda/Machiplan): 120 DOP (2021)
– Junction 104/105 (close to La Otrabanda) – Montaña Redonda: 125 DOP (2016)
– Junction 104/105 (close to La Otrabanda) – Las Lisas: 170 DOP (2021)

Frequencies of Punta Cana public buses

 Most of the Punta Cana bus routes mentioned here run every thirty minutes. Depending on the section, there might be a bus running up to every 10 minutes if there are various routes in one section. For example, the section between Los Corales and Downtown Bavaro / Cruce de Coco Loco is served by three different routes, so you have buses running more or less every 10 minutes. Of course, this is a bit erratic as it depends on the traffic, the number of stops and the departure times of the buses.

 Even though you might not expect a bus schedule in a country like the Dominican Republic, there are indeed fixed departure times for each bus. For example, most of the buses mentioned in this post leave every 30 minutes, usually either on the hour and on the half-hour or every quarter past and every quarter shy of the hour.
Depending on the route, services start around 5-6am and run until 8-10pm at night.

 However, these departure times are only valid for their first stop (respectively the starting point) because afterwards, it depends a lot on traffic, the number of people riding, the number of stops, etc. 

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Punta Cana bus station

As mentioned and shown above, many Punta Cana and Bavaro buses start and end at Friusa in Bavaro. Even though it is not officially called Punta Cana bus station, it can be considered the best and most centric terminal when looking for connections and the best options for getting around in Punta Cana.

Friusa Bavaro bus station features direct buses to Santo Domingo, Higuey, La Romana and Miches. With connections through Higuey and/or Santo Domingo, you can reach all destinations in the Dominican Republic by public transport.

Therefore, if in doubt when looking for the best Punta Cana bus station, head to Friusa. Alternative connecting points are Cruce de Veron and Coco Loco.

Resorts in Punta Cana served by public transport buses and guaguas

 If you’re coming to Punta Cana for your holiday, you might wonder if you can venture out from your resort to explore the area in Punta Cana by public transportation. Yes, you usually can (in most cases)!

 Most of the resorts are served by public buses respectively guaguas, so you can go and easily catch a bus. Depending on the all-inclusive resort you are staying at, frequencies might be limited, but if you ask the local staff they usually can tell you when the bus is (more or less) supposed to arrive and where exactly you can catch it.

Resorts in Cap Cana served by public transport

 None!

 The bus from Verón just heads towards the entrance of Cap Cana. From here you would have to get a taxi or a shuttle from your hotel to reach your accommodation or walk, depending on your physical fitness. The closest resorts from the entrance of Cap Cana are Ancora Cap Cana at about a mile and TRS Cap Cana a few feet more.

 For all other resorts in Cap Cana (among them Eden Roc Cap Cana, Secrets Cap Cana, Hyatt Ziva, Hyatt Zilara, Sanctuary Cap Cana, Margaritaville Island Reserve, etc.) you definitely need a hotel shuttle or a taxi to reach public transport options.

Resorts in Cabeza del Toro served by public transport

 All of them!

 There is a guagua running the route Cabeza de Toro – Cruce de Verón – Higuey that serves all hotels and resorts located in Cabeza de Toro:

– Catalonia Bavaro Beach
– Catalonia Royal
– Serenade Punta Cana Resort
– Serenade All Adults Resort
– Bakour Suites Punta Cana
– Hyatt Vivid Punta Cana
– Sunscape Coco
– Dreams Flora

 If you would like to go from Cabeza de Toro to Bavaro, you take the Cabeza de Toro guagua until Avenida Barceló and change there for a Bavaro-bound bus. The same goes for your way from and to the airport to Cabeza de Toro (hand luggage only if you really want to try it!).

Resorts in Bavaro served by public transport

 All of them!

 As several routes are running along the Bavaro area, all resorts along the beaches Playa Bavaro, Playa Los Corales and Playa El Cortecito do have access to the public bus system of Bavaro and Punta Cana. You can catch direct buses to all parts of Bavaro, Verón and Higuey. As you can see in the map above, the purple and red lines (internal colors only, they are not publicly used) are plying this route. 

 The following resorts here are served by public transport:

– Barcelo Resort (Palace, Deluxe, Punta Cana, etc.)
– Lopesan Costa Bavaro
– Melía and Paradisus Resort (Punta Cana, Caribe, Zel, Palma Real, Paradisus Grand Cana 
– Dreams Royal Beach
– Secrets Royal Beach
– whala Bavaro/HM Bavaro Beach
– Impressive Resorts
– Vista Sol Punta Cana
– Palladium Resorts (incl. TRS Turquesa)

 From all those resorts you also can easily go to Friusa and Verón, where you can catch the direct bus to Santo Domingo.

 The following resorts are a little bit apart from the main road running through Bavaro. You would need to walk to the junction of Avenida Francia and Avenida España (at Delicias the Bavaro / Drink Point) when catching a bus. This is walkable from some resorts (Occidental Punta Cana, Grand Bavaro Princess, Princess Family Club Bavaro, Tropical Deluxe Princess, Caribe Deluxe Princess), but is a little further away from others (especially Ocean Blue, VIK Hotel Arena Blanca) which would require a motoconcho to reach the bus stop.

 For the following resorts you would have to walk to the junction of Avenida Francia and Avenida España to get access to local public transport:

– Occidental Punta Cana
– Grand Bavaro Princess
– Princess Family Club Bavaro
– Caribe Deluxe Princess
– Tropical Deluxe Princess
– Punta Cana Princess Resort
– VIK Hotel Arena Blanca
– Ocean Blue & Sand Resort

Why you can trust me & Punta Cana Travel Blog

With my extensive travel history and industry background, I can offer the best advice from the traveler’s perspective and tourism professional perspective.

All articles on Punta Cana Travel Blog are written with love & passion, all from my first-hand experiences and without any AI. Furthermore
– I have been living in the Dominican Republic for approx. 6 years
– I have visited more than 50 all-inclusive resorts in the Dominican Republic
– I designed hundreds of tailor-made itineraries for a tour operator in the Dominican Republic
– I have visited more than 40 waterfalls, all 31 provinces and 70 beaches in the Dominican Republic
– I have a bachelor’s degree in tourism and know all the secrets of the industry
– I have spent a total of 373 nights in accommodation in the Dominican Republic, visiting 155 hotels
– I have worked my entire life in the tourism industry and am a passionate traveler as well
Read more about me here or send me a travel coaching request if want to take advantage of my expert knowledge of Punta Cana’s tourism.

Resorts in Arena Gorda served by public transport

 All of them!

 The area of Arena Gorda is only served by the guagua which runs from Higuey through La Otrabanda to Arena Gorda/Machiplan. Therefore, there is no direct access from Arena Gorda to the region further south, including the main area of Bavaro and Punta Cana, which makes it a bit harder of getting around in Punta Cana by public transport from there. On the other hand, you have access to Macao and Uvero Alto by changing buses in La Ceiba.

 The following resorts are served by the public bus route running between Arena Gorda and Higuey:

– all RIU Hotels (Bambu, Palace Bavaro, Palace Macao, Palace Punta Cana)
– all Bahía Hotels (Turquesa, Punta Cana, Aquamarine, Esmeralda, Ambar, Fantasia)
– all Majestic Hotels (Elegance, Mirage and Colonial)
– all Royalton Hotels (Bavaro, Splash and Punta Cana)
– Occidental Caribe
– RIU República
– Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Punta Cana
– Moon Palace Punta Cana

Resorts in Macao served by public transport

 There is just one resort in Macao (Dreams Macao Beach) and you have to walk to the village of Macao to catch the public bus running between Higuey and Macao/Uvero Alto.

Travel resources

Punta Cana Airport Transfers: Info | Book It*
Santo Domingo Airport Transfers: Info | Book It*
All-Inclusive Resorts: Info | Book It*
Apartments & Villas: Info | Book It*
Excursions: Info | Book It*
Rental Car: Info | Book It*
Road-Trips & Self-Drive Tours: Info | Plan It
Health Insurance for your trip: Compare Plans* | See prices*

Resorts in Uvero Alto served by public transport

 Uvero Alto is served by the bus running between Higuey and Macao/Uvero Alto, so you have direct access to the capital of the La Altagracia Province. Theoretically, you can also connect to Punta Cana via Higuey, even it is not effective. The following resorts are served by this bus route:

– Ocean El Faro
– CHIC by Royalton
– Nickelodeon Resort
– Wyndham Alltra Punta Cana
– Dreams Onyx
– breathless Resort
– Secrets Tides
– Live Aqua
– Funeeq Resort
– Finest Punta Cana
– Excellence El Carmen & Punta Cana
– Sirenis Punta Cana
– W Punta Cana

 Please note that for all resorts mentioned in this whole article you have to walk until the main resort entrance. The public buses are not serving the lobby.

Accessibility and Safety of Public Transport

Transportation Options in Punta Cana compared

Public transport from the airport

 As indicated above, shuttles and prebooked private transfers are the most convenient way to get from the Punta Cana International Airport to your all-inclusive resort or to any other place in the area. 

 If you would like to try to get to or from the airport by public transport, it is possible, but only if you are traveling with hand luggage only as there is no space for suitcases or other big items, especially in the small guaguas serving the Punta Cana Airport from Verón.

 Remember the maps with the bus routes above? 

 Check them again and you will see that you first have to take a bus from Punta Cana Airport to Cruce de Verón, where you can change to a Bavaro-bound bus. Please note, to catch the bus from the airport you have to walk outside the terminal to the little shelter next to the roundabout. Buses here pass every 15 minutes more or less, but can be full during peak hours, which happened a couple of times to me.

 Once in Cruce de Verón, you can change to any bus going in the direction of Bavaro and tell the “Cobrador” (the assistant of the driver) where you would like to get out. Check the resort list above to see which buses are serving your hotel.

For further information on the best ways to get from and to Punta Cana Airport, continue reading this article here at Punta Cana Travel Blog.

Public transport outside of Punta Cana

 I have covered everything within Punta Cana and the province of La Altagracia now. But how about public transport from Punta Cana to other parts of the Dominican Republic?

Public transportation from Punta Cana to Santo Domingo

 If you would like to go to Santo Domingo, there is a direct bus from Punta Cana/Bavaro to Santo Domingo, which runs 7 times a day. The journey is very comfortable as the buses are new and modern. The journey costs around 8 USD (500 DOP) per way. This bus is one of the few occasions where you have to buy the ticket in advance. As the bus tends to get sold out, make sure to buy your ticket at the ticket offices in Friusa or Verón at least 30 minutes before departure. You can find further information on the journey and on how to get from Punta Cana to Santo Domingo here.

 Check out further information on how to get to the capital of the Dominican Republic in my post about the beautiful Colonial Zone of Santo Domingo.

Alternatively, check out the shared shuttles between Punta Cana and Santo Domingo here*.

 Public transportation from Punta Cana to Bayahibe

 Public transportation from Punta Cana to Bayahibe is a bit complicated, to be honest. There are no direct services. On most occasions, you even have to change the bus twice. You are better off with a shuttle to Bayahibe*, which you can book from Punta Cana Airport. In case you are already staying in Punta Cana, you could head to the airport for taking this shuttle. You can find all the options for getting from Punta Cana to La Romana/Bayahibe here.

 If you still would like to go with public transportation from Punta Cana to Bayahibe, here is how it works. You definitely have to change busses twice.

Option 1:
– From your resort take an Uber, Poppi, bus or taxi to Friusa or Cruce de Veron
– Take a direct bus from Friusa or Cruce de Veron to La Romana (runs 6 times a day)
– Tell the driver’s assistant that you’re traveling to Bayahibe so he can indicate you the right station to get out
– Take a bus from La Romana to Bayahibe

Option 2:
– From your resort take a bus to Higuey
– Take a direct bus from Higuey to La Romana
– Tell the driver’s assistant that you’re traveling to Bayahibe so he can indicate you the right station to get out
– Take a bus from La Romana to Bayahibe

The journey time is approx. 1 hour + 1 hour + 30 minutes plus applicable waiting times, even though Option 1 with the direct bus Punta Cana – La Romana is the quicker option. The total cost is around 7-8 USD for all three buses combined. A shared airport shuttle to Bayahibe* currently sells for around 20 USD, a private transfer from any point in Punta Cana to Bayahibe* usually is around 100 USD per vehicle for up to 4 or 5 passengers.

Public transportation from Punta Cana to Puerto Plata

Public transportation from Punta Cana to Puerto Plata will take you the entire day – or even two days, depending on when you start in Punta Cana. The latest time you shall leave Punta Cana to get to Puerto Plata in one day is around 11 am.

To get to Puerto Plata, you have to cross the entire Dominican Republic by public transport once. Take a Punta Cana bus and head to Santo Domingo, where you can change into a Puerto Plata-bound bus. In Santo Domingo, you have to take a taxi or an Uber as the two bus stations are not in the same location.

For all the information on this connection, check out the extensive blog post on how to get from Punta Cana to Puerto Plata.

Public transportation from Punta Cana to elsewhere in the Dominican Republic

For all other destinations, it depends on where you want to go. For all journeys by public transportation to the east of the Dominican Republic, it is best to take one of the connections via Higuey, as there are direct buses to La Romana, Bayahibe, San Pedro, El Seibo and Miches. Please refer to the bus routes above to see how you can reach Higuey, nearly every place and all-inclusive resort in Punta Cana is connected with Higuey. From Higuey there are direct buses to nearly all places in the eastern part of the Dominican Republic. 

For any destination in the center, southwest, west or north of the Dominican Republic incl. Samaná, head to Santo Domingo first as described above or in this extensive blog post about public transportation between Santo Domingo and Punta Cana. From there, you can reach your destination, as basically all regions and cities are connected with the capital of the Dominican Republic.

In case you don’t find the right connection via public transport from Punta Cana, you also can check out the following private transfers from Punta Cana.

Destination	Selected all-inclusive resorts / locations	Price Range (one-way)	Private Airport Transfer from Punta Cana (one-way and return)
Miches	Club Med Miches / Costa Esmeralda	125 USD
Bayahibe	Catalonia, Hilton, Iberostar, Be Live, Viva Wyndham, Dreams, whala, Miranda	90-120 USD
La Romana	La Romana City and Cruise Port	100-120 USD
San Pedro / La Romana	Bahía Principe La Romana & Bougainville	120-160 USD
Juan Dolio	Emotions, Hemmingway, Guayacanes and surrounding	140-180 USD
Boca Chica	Be Live Hamaca, Bellevue, whala Boca Chica and surrounding	140-180 USD
Santo Domingo	Santo Domingo City incl. Zona Colonial	150-200 USD
Samaná	Las Galeras, Las Terrenas, El Portillo, Cayo Levantado, Santa Barbara de Samaná	300-400 USD
North Coast	Nagua, Cabrera, Rio San Juan and surrounding villages	290-350 USD
Cabarete & Sosua	Sabaneta de Yasica, Cabarete, Viva Wyndham Tangerine, Encuentro, Perla Marina, Sosua	300-390 USD
Puerto Plata	Playa Dorada, Costa Dorada, Puerto Plata, Cofresi, Amber Cove, Maimón, Imbert	350-450 USD
Santiago	Santiago de los Caballeros and surrounding	280-400 USD
Southwest	Barahona, Pedernales and surrounding	400-550 USD

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is public transport safe in Punta Cana?

Yes – public transport (guaguas and buses) in Punta Cana is generally safe. Use common sense, avoid night travel on guaguas, and keep valuables secure.

Can I get from Punta Cana airport by public transport?

Yes — but you need to change buses in Veron to reach the central touristic area of Punta Cana from the airport by public transportation. It’s pretty time-consuming and there is no space for luggage. For comfort, many travelers prebook private transfers.

How much does a motoconcho cost?

Short rides typically cost around USD 2–5 depending on distance. Always agree the price before riding and negotiate hard.

Are guaguas and buses in Punta Cana wheelchair friendly?

No. Guaguas and motoconchos are generally not wheelchair accessible. Use taxis or prebook an accessible transfer if needed.

This was my ultimate guide about public transport in the whole Punta Cana area and the province of La Altagracia. I hope it serves you fur a beautiful and adventurous vacation in Punta Cana and beyond. Please let me know in the comments if you have any questions or get in touch with me via my travel coaching if you need local insights and customized itineraries for your trip to the Dominican Republic.

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CHRIS

Author, Travel Coach & Industry Professional (Bachelor’s degree in tourism)

Hey, I am Chris, a born and raised German, travel-addictive and Caribbean soul, who has been living in the Dominican Republic for 6 years. I’d love to be your Punta Cana expert, as I have stayed at more than 45 all-inclusive resorts in Punta Cana and the country, visited more than 70 beaches, explored more than 40 waterfalls and have seen basically all the attractions Punta Cana has to offer. I have also studied tourism for 3 years and worked in the tourism industry my entire life, which is why I am not only giving you recommendations and tips as a traveler but also the best secrets and travel hacks as an industry professional.
Do you need more information? Read more at my About Me Page, send me a travel coaching request or Contact Me here.

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