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Your point of arrival is normally determined by where you are staying, whether in Santo Domingo or one of the principal tourist regions. These have their own international airports. Most scheduled flights land at Las Américas, near Santo Domingo.

All tourists must present a tourist card at passport control. The card costs $10 and is valid for 90 days. Cards are available at all airports and must be filled in before attempting to pass through immigration.

It is unlikely that you will arrive already in possession of Dominican pesos, so the airport is a good place to exchange currency. The Banco de Reservas offers a money-changing service at Las Américas in Santiago and Puerto Plata (sometimes closed at weekends). There are also ATMs at all the airports, although these maybe empty during high season.

Incoming flights are often met by hordes of touts, offering a variety of services such as hire cars, money exchange, and guided tours. It is always sensible to decline their offers politely. Visitors arriving on pre-booked holiday packages are met by bone fide representatives.

The Aeropuerto Inter-nacional de las Américas is about 8 miles (13 km) east of the city center. Although there are regular bus services, the best bet is to take a taxi into town. Choose an official taxi driver (look for a brown certificate on the windscreen) and agree the price (about $20) before setting off.

Most of the Punta CanaBávaro hotel complexes are within 30 minutes of Punta Cana International, a rather picturesque cluster of thatch-roofed buildings. Hotels usually organize air-conditioned buses to pick up guests, however, taxis are always available, costing about $15 to most hotels.

Situated between Puerto Plata and Sosúa, the Aeropuerto Internacional Gregorio Luperón is the main entrance point for North Coast visitors. A 15-minute drive into Puerto Plata, or any of the Playa Dorada hotels should cost aound $10.

There are also airports at Santiago (Cibao International), La Romana (used mostly to the Casa de Campo resort), Samaná (Arroyo Barril), Las Terrenas (El Portillo), Barahona (María Montéz), and Santo Domingo (Herrera).

Several cruise lines include the Dominican Republic on their itineraries, stopping at the new port facilities at Santo Domingo, or close to Casa de Campo.

Official ports of entry for independent sailors are Santo Domingo, Puerto Plata, Luperón, Samaná, and Punta Cana. A customs fee of $10 is applicable per person, payable at the customs and immigration facility, granting 30 days immigration clearance.