Here is the Puerto Plata travel to Miami…a step-by-step process! The short trip to the Puerto Plata Airport (POP) from Sosua is a 10 to 15 minute drive. When you arrive at the airport you may be greeted by men in white uniforms. They will insist on carrying your bags 20 feet to the x-ray scanners located at the airport entrance in front of American Airlines. If you use their service be aware that there may another porter at the other end of the x-ray scanner waiting to carry your luggage to the ticket counter for another tip! A little game they played on me once!

I suggest arriving about two hours early to avoid lines. The ticket agent will need to see your passport to issue your airline ticket. They will tag, weigh and check in your luggage. You will not carry the bags to another baggage check in area like you do in Miami. The agent will also give you two customs forms. One for the Dominican Republic and the other for U.S. Customs back in Miami.

After you get your ticket go directly to the security checkpoint which is to the left of the airlines ticket counter. The Customs Officer will want to see your passport.

Next, you will go through the x-ray scanners. No need to take your lap top out of your carry on bag at the Puerto Plata International Airport. Take off your shoes and jewelry and walk through the scanner.

Next stop is Customs. Usually there is no line if your arrive early. Give the Customs Officer your passport and the Dominican Republic Customs Form. They usually will ask how long you were in the country and send you on your way to the terminal if you did not stay beyond 30 days. More than 30 days in the Dominican Republic will cost you a fine of around $20.00.

It’s about a 5 minute walk to your gate and you will pass through a mall of duty free shops. Once you reach your gate area there will be more shops, bars and restaurants.

As you board the airplane keep your ticket and passport handy. The flight to Miami is about 1 1/2 hours. Complete the form for U.S. Customs before you arrive in Miami.

When you arrive at Miami (MIA) you will go directly to baggage claim then through Customs where they will want your customs form and passport. The final security checkpoint will waive you through or search your luggage.

If you parked in the Dolphin Garage take the elevator to the third floor and the crosswalk to the garage. Take the garage elevator to the level you parked on. Leaving the airport is easy. Just pay the $15.00 per day for parking and you are on your way home.

If you are connecting to another flight you will still be required to go through customs, get your luggage and take it to the connecting airlines luggage area.

The trip to Puerto Plata is much quicker and takes less time than the return trip to Miami! One tip about the long lines at Miami Customs! Walk all the way to the very last row next to the elevator and you will see an additional seven or eight lines that will have far fewer people standing in line.

Here is my travel experience from Miami to Puerto Plata,  step-by-step…When flying out of Miami to Puerto Plata get there early. I suggest 3 hours early if you’re traveling during the winter season months. Most likely you will have plenty of free time after getting your tickets, checking your luggage, and going through security but it’s worth it.

The lines are usually long and once you see the desperation on the faces of those who are still in line and their flight is about to board…WELL, get there early!

If you park in long term parking there’s two garages, Dolphin and Flamingo. I like to park in the Dolphin garage. There are crosswalks to the terminal on the third level. You will find better parking spaces available on the 2nd or 4th level near the elevator. Just take it to the third level and follow the signs for your airlines.

Don’t forget where you park! There is a machine at the elevator that will stamp your location on the parking ticket.

Expect a five or ten minute walk from the garage to your airline ticket counter. Once you arrive at the ticketing center expect to see lots of people and long lines. Don’t attempt to guess which line is yours! Ask a customer service agent, they are everywhere. Just tell them where you are going and what time you are leaving Miami. This tends to be a little smoother now with the automated check ins using the computers. The lines used to be about 30 minutes to 1 hour to get your ticket and check your baggage.

Once you get your ticket you’ll need to check it at the ticket counter! Place the non carry-on baggage on the weigh scales. Over 50 pounds may result in additional charges! The rep will tag your luggage and you will take it with you to the baggage check in area. 

Give them you luggage and continue to the security checkpoint with your carry on bags. This line usually moves rapidly. Keep your airline ticket and passport handy as you will be asked by security personnel for it several times.

Before going through the security and x-ray scanners don’t forget to remove your laptop from your carry-on bag. Take off your shoes and remove jewelry, keys, coins, belts, and anything that can set off an alarm.

Now you are on your way to the terminal. Just another 10 minute or 15 minute walk!

The flight from Miami to Puerto Plata will take about 1 1/2 hours. The airline steward will give you two Customs forms to complete. Take a pen with you so you can fill the forms out on the plane.

When you arrive at Puerto Plata you will go directly to Customs. The first line will be to purchase a Tourist Card (sold at US $10). Proceed to Customs where the line is usually short. The easiest way to present you documents to the Customs Officer is to place the two Customs forms that you completed on the airplane and the tourist card inside your passport and give it to them. They will return to you the passport, tourist card and one of the Customs forms. Proceed another 10 feet to give the next person the tourist card. Proceed to baggage claim! It’s about 50 feet to the baggage claim area and you will see the money exchange agents as you enter. Their rate is not usually good so wait until you get to Sosua. Taxi drivers accept US dollars.

Claim your baggage and proceed to the final checkpoint. Give the security personnel your completed Customs form and they will either waive you through or search your suitcase. It’s a random process and they only looked in my baggage once. No big deal…

Now hold on tight to your bags as there will be an airport porter in a uniform expecting to carry your bags to the taxi area which is about a two minute walk. Just say no and they will not persist.

If you have not made prior hotel transfer arrangements you will find plenty of taxi drivers to assist you. When approached ask if they have there own taxi. Sometimes they are not taxi drivers and just want to walk you to a cab then expect a tip for their service.

Sousa is just a short 10 minute drive from the airport in Puerto Plata.

Here’s a few Dominican travel videos from YouTube. There is a never ending number of things to do when traveling and vacationing in the Dominican Republic. Explore your options and plan the best Dominican and Sosua travel ever.

The first video gives an excellent visual and good sense of how remarkable the Dominican Republic really is. Discover what many don’t know! There is so much to do and see on this absolutely amazing island.

Images of the Dominican Republic

More Images of the Dominican Republic

Video From the Department of Tourism - This is a promotional video clip created by the Department of Tourism. The video shows the beautiful places to go and things to do when visiting the Dominican Republic.

Development of Luxury Resorts in the Dominican Republic – A new Caribbean paradise?
NBC News’ Kerry Sanders reports on the development of luxury resorts in the Dominican Republic catering to well-heeled Americans & Europeans. Many property developers and investors from around the world are taking a close look at Dominican real estate.

Life In Sosua

Los Charamicos…The locals section of Sosua!

A Journey in Sosua

Beach Fun

A Little More About Sosua

Follow My Sosua Real Estate Page On Facebook