Santo Domingo Airport (SDQ) Guide, Facilities & Hotels, Cafes and Restaurants

Introduction

When you are traveling to and from Santo Domingo Airport, it is a good idea to know about the airport and the amenities it offers. Whether it’s your holiday or a business trip, having general information and tips, especially when traveling alone or with a companion, can actually save you from experiencing troubled moments.

Our airport guide gives you all the essential insights that you, as a traveler, can make use of while journeying across places in any part of the globe.

A Brief Overview of Santo Domingo Airport in the Dominican Republic

Situated near Punta Caucedo and Boca Chica in the capital city of Santo Domingo, the Santo Domingo Airport, also popularly known as the Las Americas International Airport, is a very busy airport in the European settlement of the Dominican Republic. Santo Domingo is an urban city and home, not only to the architecture of the colonial era but also to hot clubs, vibrant cultural institutions, and elegant restaurants.

Santo Domingo somehow manages to embody the contradictions central to the Dominican experience – a living museum, a metropolis crossed with a seaside resort, and a business, political, and media center with a laid-back, affable spirit.

A drive to Colonial City will take you about 30 minutes with less traffic. You will find official taxis parked at the Arrivals area that are willing to take you to your preferred destination. The average taxi fare is usually around 1,320 Dominican Pesos ($23.58 USD). There is no other official public transit service available. You may, however, opt for Uber, but note that they are not officially authorized to pick up passengers from this airport.

IATA: SDQ

Address: Ruta 66, Boca Chica 15701, Dominican Republic

Contact: +1 809-947-2225

Website: http://www.aerodom.com/app/do/lasamericas.aspx

Operation Hours: Santo Domingo Airport is open 24 hours. However, certain food concessions and car rental services may not offer their services 24 hours. Also, services like airline check-in and baggage drop hours may also vary with the flight schedule. Hence, it is advised that you check with the airport.

Terminals in Santo Domingo Airport

Santo Domingo Airport or Las Americas International Airport terminal complex consists of two terminals, namely Terminal A (South Terminal) and Terminal B (North Terminal).

Terminal A (South): Santo Domingo Airport Terminal A is the oldest terminal in the airport and it consists of three levels.

Terminal B (North): Santo Domingo Airport Terminal B consists of two concourses; Concourse A and Concourse B. Concourse A has five gates (A1 through A6), including parking and taxi stands. Concourse B, on the other hand, has four gates (B1 through B4) and an additional remote stand (P8).

Parking Facilities at Santo Domingo Airport

Santo Domingo Airport provides travelers with convenient parking options. The airport has a main parking area that is located in front of the terminal. The parking facility is also shared by car rental companies designated at the airport.

There are reserved parking spaces for passengers with reduced mobility. Parking for 30 minutes costs around RD$40 ($0.72 USD).

Airlines Served by Santo Domingo Airport

Santo Domingo Airport serves many domestic, international, and cargo airlines. Airlines that are served by the airport include Aeromexico, Air Antilles Express, Air Caraibes, Air Europa, Air France, American Airlines, Avianca, Avior Airlines, Caicos Express, Condor, Conviasa, Copa Airlines, Cubana Airlines, Delta Airlines, Fly All Ways, Iberia, Intercaribbean Airways, JetBlue, Laser Airlines, Sky High Aviation, Spirit Airlines, Sunrise Airways, TUI, Turpial Airlines, United Airlines, Venezolana, Winair, and Wingo.

Facilities and Services Available at Santo Domingo Airport

Santo Domingo Airport offers various amenities to passengers to make their traveling experience worthwhile. The airport has a range of duty-free stores, food and beverage outlets, Wi-Fi and internet access, business services, and more.

Security Check-points

There are security checks at the airport’s terminal. All passengers are required to pass through the security checks.

Help Desk

When you are at the Santo Domingo Airport and need help, there is an information desk to assist you. Here, you can inquire about your flight or find other facilities easily at the airport.

Wi-Fi and Mobile Charging Points

Wi-Fi internet access is available throughout both terminals at the airport, in case you need to connect your smartphone, tablet, or laptop to access the internet.

In addition to Wi-Fi internet access, mobile charging power outlets are also available at the airport, in case you need to charge your phone’s battery. Mobile charging power outlets can be found at various shops and restaurants throughout the airport.

Baggage Handling and Storage

Baggage Trolleys: Baggage trolleys are available free of charge at the airport.

Luggage Storage and Lockers: Locker facilities for storing baggage are not available at the airport.

Luggage Wrapping: This service is available at the airport.

Make sure to check with your respective airline as to what carry-on items (and their size) are allowed.

Lounge and Business Conference Rooms

Santo Domingo Airport provides premium lounges that passengers can use by either paying at the door, purchasing a lounge pass or via lounge membership programs.

Sala VIP Caribe:
The lounge is located in Terminal A, Airside. Access to this lounge is via membership programs.

Passes Copa Club:
The lounge is located in Terminal B, North Concourse, Gate B4. Access to this lounge is via pay-at-the-door, prepaid lounge passes, and lounge membership programs.

Shops and Duty-Free

You will find many stores throughout the airport’s terminals and concourses. These shops sell a wide range of items – from children’s toys to fashion accessories. You can also buy books, magazines, etc., to help pass time.

Duty-free stores are available at the airport, as well as a good selection of shops selling everything from leather goods and souvenirs. Dufry Duty-Free store is located on the airside, along with other shops on the 2nd Floor.

Cafes, Bar, and Restaurants

Finding fast food options should not be a problem as there are many local and popular nationwide food chains at the Tampa International Airport. These fast-food restaurants are located throughout the terminals and concourses, giving you the best options to eat and satisfy your pre-flight craving.

Food concessions throughout the airport operate with varying schedules. A wide variety of dining options are also available and can be found at both the landside and the airside. There are several food courts at the airport. Coffeelopolis is open 24 hours and is located in Level 1, Food Court.

Other Amenities at Santo Domingo Airport

The other amenities that are available to travelers at Santo Domingo Airport include:

Fantastico:

Fantastico is a video game zone for both children and adults. It is located in the Food Court, 3rd Level.

Children’s Play Area:

There is a children’s play area at the airport.

Pharmacy:

If you need to buy medicines, there is a pharmacy located on the 2nd Floor.

ATM:

ATMs are available at Santo Domingo Airport. You can swipe your bank card and withdraw cash at the airport’s ATM if you’re running low on cash or need to make cash payments at other services or stores. You can find ATMs at the landside, 1stLevel.

Currency Exchange:

There are three currency exchange offices at the airport. Reserve Bank Republica Dominicana is located in Terminal A South, landside (open 24 hours), and Global Exchange is located in Terminal A South, airside, and Terminal B North, airside.

Bank:

Banreservas bank is located at the landside, 1st Level, and is open from 9 am until 5 pm. Popular Bank is another bank that is also located at the landside, 1st Level. and is open from 9 am to 4 pm.

Hotels On-site and Nearby Santo Domingo Airport

Finding accommodations at the Santo Domingo Airport or nearby should not be a problem for you as there are several hotels out there. Whether you are traveling alone, with friends, family, or children, you will find comfortable places to stay during your visit.

A few hotels that are located not very far from the Santo Domingo Airport are:

Hampton by Hilton Santo Domingo Airport:
The hotel is located about 5 minutes from the airport. There is a free airport shuttle service is available from the airport.

Quality Hotel Real Aeropuerto Santo Domingo:
The hotel is located about 10 minutes from the airport. Unfortunately, there will be no airport shuttle service available. However, there are taxis that offer transport services and which costs $25 USD,  from the airport to the hotel, and $15 USD from the hotel to the airport.

Hotel Zapata:
The hotel is located about 10 minutes from the airport. There is no availability of airport shuttle service to reach the hotel, Zapata.

Hotel Casa Coco:
The hotel is located about 10 minutes from the airport. There is no airport shuttle service available.

Bellevue Dominican Bay:
The hotel is located about 15 minutes from the airport, which is an all-inclusive resort. There is no airport shuttle service available.

Transport Options To and From Santo Domingo Airport

Getting to and from Santo Domingo Airport should not be much of a hassle as you will find transport options. You can quickly find a convenient mode of transportation to meet your travel needs. There are several ground transportation options available to travelers that make visiting nearby places and other places of interest very convenient, quick, and affordable.

Airport/Hotel Shuttle Services

Many travelers often find shuttle services to be very favorable as it saves them plenty of time when getting to the hotel and/or airport. A free shuttle bus provides travelers with easy connectivity. At the airport, you will find many shuttles which are offered by private companies operating from the airport to the city center.

Bus Services

There is a public bus service, called Guagua, which is located on the upper level of the airport. You will find buses departing constantly to the Parque Enriquillo (in the city center) and to Boca Chica.

Train Services

There are presently no train services available to and from Santo Domingo Airport.

Taxi Services

Taxis are available for hire at the Santo Domingo Airport. Their taxi stands can be found located in the ground transportation area of the airport. Their taxis do not have meters, so try to negotiate with the driver before starting your journey. Also, for your safety, it is highly recommended to pre-arrange your ride to and from the airport with a reputable taxi or tour company.

Shared Vans

There is also a more economical transport option, such as shared-ride mini-vans that is not only affordable but is also a fine alternative to taxis. A few shared-van companies can transport you from Santo Domingo Airport to the city center, and to other destinations as well.

Car Hire/Rental Services

There are many car rental companies that offer services on-site, in the Arrivals Hall near the North Terminal. These companies include American, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Europcar, Hertz, Honda, Meta Rent-A-Car, National/Alamo, Nelly Rent-A-Car, Payless, Sixt, and Thrifty.

Conclusion

A popular holiday spot worth visiting in the city is the Zona Colonial or Colonial Zone, which is located on the western bank of the river and faces the Caribbean Sea. Also, to the west of the Zona Colonial lies Gazcue, one of the city’s oldest neighborhoods, crammed with old Victorian houses and tree-lined streets.

The city’s waterfront George Washington Avenue, called”El Malecon”, borders the Caribbean Sea and attracts many travelers because of its exquisite hotels, casinos, palm-lined boulevards, and monuments. Surrounding the Gazcue vicinity you will discover the Palacio Nacional (or seat of the Dominican government), the National Theater, the Museums in the Plaza de la Cultura, and the Palace of Fine Arts.