Planning a Dominican Republic Vacation

The best time of year to visit the Dominican Republic is from mid-December to mid-April, when the weather is drier and temperatures are moderate. The busiest time of year is Easter Week, when Dominicans flock to the public beaches; many motorized watersports are banned due to the number of people swimming in the sea.

Depending on your travel day and departure city, your AAA Travel Agent may offer you a Dedicated Vacation Flight. These are early morning, nonstop flights from major Mid-Atlantic gateways that include a free checked bag—you could be on the beach by lunchtime! Flights are packaged with your hotel and resort transfers, which means savings for you.

When you arrive at Punta Cana International Airport, you’ll need $10 U.S. per person to purchase a tourist card before going through Immigration (cash only). Collect your bags, exit the terminal and, if you purchased a package vacation, you’ll be met by an Amstar representative holding up a sign with your resort name on it for a ride to your hotel.

AAA Recommends—While it may be tempting to book your airline tickets, hotels, and car rental separately, your AAA Travel Agent can find you a better price by purchasing these as a package. The package usually includes airport to hotel transfers, so you won’t need to go through the extra expense and hassle of renting a car.