Miami To Puerto Plata Travel Plans
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.
