How to Get Puerto Plata (pop) Airport?
Gregorio Luperón International Airport or POP is in Puerto Plata, a city situated on the north coast of the Dominican Republic. Puerto Plata Airport caters to over 800000 passengers per year thus offering travelers the best opportunity to access the various beach resorts, and natural attractions among other features. In this article we’ve compiled all the relevant information on how to get to the airport as well as how to get around Puerto Plata should you be planning to visit for your vacation.
Airport Location
Gregorio Luperón International Airport is approximately 9 km, or a 15-minute drive from the main city of Puerto Plata. It is conveniently located off the Autopista del Atlántico, the main coastal highway, and as such getting into the airport and out is easy even if it is the first time you are using the airport. Some of the factors that may be attributed to this include the fact that Puerto Plata is a smaller regional airport where one is not likely to feel like they are walking for miles or waiting in huge lines.
This sub-theme revolves around the transportation leading to the airport.
Several ground transportation options are available for getting to Puerto Plata Airport depending on your budget and preferences:
Taxi: Taxi, for instance, can be ordered from the nearby airport terminal without much difficulty. The cost of this taxi trip to downtown Puerto Plata is approximately 20 USD per one-way. It is advisable to agree on fare charges before leaving since some drivers tend to exploit the situation with tourists who are not very conversant with the area.
Rental Car: Car rental is the most preferred option since it allows one to move around at their convenience without being restricted to fixed routes. A wide choice of car rental service providers are located inside the airport terminals, and some of them are Avis, Budget, Hertz, Europcar, and Sixt. Rental cost varies from USD 30 per day with basic models of automobiles available for rent. However, it is important to know that the traffic laws are merely observed to the barest minimum.
Bus: Another very cheap means of getting a Puerto Plata and the surrounding towns is by using public transport in the form of buses. The Bavaro-Puerto Plata-Sosua Bus can be hired at the airport for $1.5 each way and frequently travels to Playa Dorada. Although they are not time-tabled, buses usually operate every 30-60 minutes in the morning and evening from 6:30 am to 9:30 am and 3:30 pm to 7:00 pm respectively.
Private Transfers: Finally, to avoid stressing yourself with transportation issues, some hotels and resorts have private airport transfer services. Transfers from the airport are door-to-door, so one can be picked up by a shuttle or a private car right from the terminal and be taken to the booked hotel. One can also purchase the transfers together with the order or order them with an authorized supplier. For up to four passengers per car, the cost should be roughly $30-50 USD each way.
Airport Facilities & Services
As an international airport, Puerto Plata provides various services and amenities for travelers including:
Foreign Exchange – There are two official exchange bureaus near the customs desk with better rates for exchanging foreign money for Dominican Pesos (DOP). There are also ATMs in the main terminal for anyone who needs to withdraw cash on the go.
Duty-Free Shopping - A large duty-free shop in which holiday-makers and travelers can buy tax-free products such as liquor, cigarettes, perfumes, watches, jewelry, souvenirs, and other products that are allowed to be imported without paying customs duties. Some countries require receipts to prove that items purchased are not for sale so keep the shopping receipts when departing.
A small food court with fast food, snack bars, cafes, and restaurants offering local and international dishes are available. You should be able to get seafood, roasted chicken, pizzas, sandwiches and beer, Rum soft drinks juices, coffee, and various baked products.
There is Free Basic Wi-Fi – Wi-Fi service is available throughout the terminal and should be provided free of charge, however, the connection speed may vary depending on the current load on the network. An electric outlet is also provided to charge up other power-using appliances.
Disabled Access – The airport terminal and other amenities in the facility such as restrooms are easily accessible by ramps and lifts hence barrier-free to the disabled. If more assistance is required during a flight, it should be arranged when bookings and reservations are being made.
Navigating the Airport
Despite handling almost a million yearly passengers, Puerto Plata Airport has a simple layout making it easy for tourists to find their way around:
VIP Lounge – All check-in counters, boarding gates, arrivals section, luggage collection section, customs and immigration sections, cafeteria, shops, cash machines, car rentals, and other facilities are provided in the two-story Terminal Building. Airline check-in counters are to the right when entering the terminal, while four ‘departure doors’ can be found by the escalator on the higher level. Perrin Arriving travelers go downstairs to the left through the customs and baggage claim after which they go outside. They also use bilingual signs for their notices, which are written in both English and Spanish languages.
Quick Transfers – Unlike other hubs which require passengers to transfer between trains, trams, or shuttles between two terminals. The check-in: gates are only 75 meters away and from the aircraft to the luggage carousels, it takes only 150 meters to walk. Stops for domestic and regional flights are normally of a relatively short duration, ranging from 45 to 60 minutes.
Commuting Friendly – Contrary to some large airports that consist of many terminals, which may take time to get through, Puerto Plata Airport is one building thus cutting on distances. That is a clear recommendation as checking in, passport control, shopping, and gates are all grouped to avoid long distances covered. Passing through the terminal usually does not take more than 10-15 minutes in terms of time.
In conclusion, Gregorio Luperón International Airport is a convenient entry point for travelers interested in visiting Puerto Plata region. Due to the several forms of ground transport, easily accessible terminals, and short distances to walk, Puerto Plata Airport ensures that tourist has a convenient start to their Dominican holiday upon arrival. Some planning and interpretation of the directional signs would have you soaking up sun, sand, and sea on the Amber Coast.