2026 Travel News ArchiveTravel

Passport validity waiver extended again for key tourist markets through 2026

In a strategic move to maintain its competitive edge in the Caribbean, the Dominican Republic has once again extended a measure that allows tourists from select countries to enter even if their passports have less than six months of remaining validity. The Migration Agency (DGM) announced that the waiver, originally established to bolster post-pandemic recovery, …
2026 Travel News ArchiveTravel

New cruise ship records with 2.8 million passengers in 2025, yet only 3 of 100 visitors go beyond the cruise terminal

The Dominican Republic has solidified its position as the premier cruise destination in the Caribbean, closing 2025 with a record-breaking 2,815,732 maritime visitors. According to the latest year-end report from the Ministry of Tourism (Mitur), this figure represents a 6% increase over 2024 and a staggering 114.6% growth compared to 2022. Tourism Minister David Collado …
2026 Travel News ArchiveTravel

Punta Cana International Airport is leading regional aviation hub

Punta Cana International Airport (PUJ) has officially cemented its position as the premier aviation gateway in the Caribbean and Central America, closing 2025 with a historic milestone of over 11 million passengers. This record-breaking performance underscores the airport’s role as the primary engine for tourism in the Dominican Republic and a dominant force in air …
2026 Travel News ArchiveTravel

Air traffic hits record 19.6M pax in 2025

The Dominican Republic’s aviation sector reached a historic milestone in 2025, processing 19,676,193 inbound and outbound passengers, according to data released by the Dominican Institute of Civil Aviation (IDAC). The figures represent a significant year-over-year increase compared to 2024, which saw 19,078,752 travelers. This growth of 597,441 additional passengers underscores a sustained upward trend that …
2026 Travel News ArchiveTravel

New area for private planes at Samana International Airport (AZS)

Private planes are well received at the new world class FBO Terminal built by Universal Aviation for Aerodom/Vinci Airports, the operators of the Samana International Airport (AZS). The terminal was delivered on 2 December 2025. The US$500,000 initiative covers a 3,500-sq-ft facility with passenger and pilot lounges, concierge service, a full catering kitchen, coffee bar, …
2025 Travel News ArchiveTravel

Air Caraibes begins direct flights from Paris to Samana

Air Caraïbes launched seasonal, direct flights from Paris-Orly (ORY) to Samaná (AZS). This is the only European airline to offer direct service to Samana. The triangular route (Paris-Samana-Santo Domingo-Paris) enables combined trips. Tourists can combine Samana with Santo Domingo. The inaugural flight was on 15 December 2025. The airline is offering one flight initially, increasing …
2025 Travel News ArchiveTravel

Bayahibe revamped with US$213 million mega parking area

Tourism Minister David Collado officially inaugurated a reorganization project in Bayahíbe on Wednesday, 17 December 2025, with works starting with a new parking and pedestrian complex. The new parking area was designed to end years of traffic gridlock in one of the country’s busiest coastal hubs. The parking project is a RD$213,467,118 development that spans …