How to Go from Punta Cana to Puerto Plata?
A chronicle of the real Punta Cana
A journey beyond the predictable:discovering the human heart, the slow rhythm, and the authentic colors of the Dominican Republic
Punta Cana
Puerto Plata, the jewel of the Northern Amber Coast, offers historic Victorian architecture, the iconic Mount Isabel de Torres cable car, 27 Charcos waterfalls, and world-class kite surfing in Cabarete.
Crossing the island from the East Coast to the North Coast is an epic Dominican journey. This guide details all options: comfortable express buses (Metro & Caribe Tours), driving routes via Santo Domingo/Santiago, and private flights.
Clear Directions From Punta Cana To Puerto Plata
Our route guides bring the available options together in one simple place, with straightforward details on travel times, costs, luxury bus connections, and road trip tips.
LONG-DISTANCE PUBLIC BUS TRANSIT
For travelers prioritizing maximum budget savings on this long cross-country journey, public buses are the ideal choice. The trip requires a transfer in the capital city of Santo Domingo. You will first board an Expreso Bávaro or APTRA bus from Punta Cana towards Santo Domingo, requesting to get off at the Las Américas stop.
Once there, you will connect onto a Caribe Tours bus departing directly to Puerto Plata. The total combined ticket cost is between RD$1,000 and RD$1,100 per passenger. The entire travel duration spans 7 to 8 hours depending on transfer waiting times.
DEPARTURE TIMES
PUNTA CANA - SANTO DOMINGO - PUERTO PLATA CONNECTION SCHEDULES
EXPRESO BÁVARO / APTRA
TO SANTO DOMINGO3:00 / 4:00 PM departures might miss the Santo Domingo connection.
CARIBE TOURS
TO PUERTO PLATADeparts from the Las Américas terminal (SD).
EMPRESAS BUS
PHONES & WEBSITES809-682-9670 / aptpra.com
809-552-1678 / expresobavaro.com
809-221-4422 ext. 2061 / caribetours.com.do
Confirm baggage safety at Caribe Tours counter.
CRITICAL TRAVEL ADVICE
We strongly advise departing Punta Cana on the 5:00 am or 7:00 am buses. Leaving on the 3:00 pm or 4:00 pm bus means you will arrive in Santo Domingo too late, missing the last Caribe Tours connection to Puerto Plata.
Notify the bus assistant on Expreso Bávaro or APTRA before entering Santo Domingo that you wish to get off at the Las Américas stop to make your connection simpler.
Bus tickets for both Expreso Bávaro/APTRA and Caribe Tours are sold strictly at the terminal counters on travel day. No online booking is active.
DID YOU KNOW?
INTERESTING TRAVEL TRIVIA & INSIDER ADVICE
Military Roadside Help
The Dominican military (MOPC) offers free roadside assistance (tow trucks, mechanics) on Autopista Duarte via hotline 829-689-1000.
Adventure Detours
Once in Puerto Plata, you are just 20-30 minutes away from Cabarete (a world-famous windsurfing town) and Sosúa's calm snorkeling reefs.
Loma Isabel de Torres Vista
Puerto Plata is home to the Caribbean's only historic cable car, taking visitors to the peak of Mount Isabel de Torres and its Christ statue.
Written By
Airgalarza
Living around Punta Cana comes with its little discoveries — places you come across, things you learn, stories you hear and details you pick up along the way. Every now and then, I write some of them down and share them here with you.