Uber technically runs in the Dominican Republic, but PUJ is basically a no-go
Uber operates in Santo Domingo and Santiago, but at Punta Cana International Airport (PUJ) taxi unions effectively block app pickups at Terminals A and B. You can open the app on airport Wi‑Fi, see cars on the map, and even get a fare estimate, but drivers almost never confirm a pickup at the main arrivals curb because of ongoing conflicts with airport taxi syndicates.
Reddit users report that Uber drivers sometimes agree to drop off at PUJ but refuse pickups from Terminals A or B. One r/travel poster described drivers declining airport jobs due to “fights with taxi unions,” and threads on r/Dominican echo the same pattern: Uber is tolerated for rides into the airport, but outbound rides are treated as taxi territory.
In Punta Cana resort zones along Bavaro and Arena Gorda, users describe Uber as “hit or miss” compared with Santo Domingo, where service is much more consistent. Some riders requesting cars from large all‑inclusive resorts report drivers calling within 2–3 minutes to ask them to cancel if hotel security or a taxi stand is visible at the entrance gate.
There are multiple reports of travelers walking 200–500 meters off resort property to meet drivers discreetly at side streets or nearby gas stations. Expats on Reddit say they often leave the main hotel gate on foot and set the pickup pin at a supermarket or colmado on the public road rather than right in front of official taxi ranks.
Common complaints include 15–25 minute wait times, drivers cancelling two or three times in a row, and surge pricing when it rains in Punta Cana. Several users say that during peak hours or storms, the Uber quote around Bavaro can climb close to, or even above, the fixed prices charged by licensed airport taxis and pre-booked shuttles.
Regulars who split time in the country often keep Uber for Santo Domingo and use pre-arranged transfers or airport taxis at PUJ. Some also keep a small list of trusted local drivers in WhatsApp and compare their responses with the Uber ETA before deciding; if the app shows long waits or repeated cancellations, they switch straight to the WhatsApp contact.
Practical tip: At PUJ Terminals A and B, treat Uber as backup only; plan on a taxi or pre-booked transfer for the airport leg, then try Uber later from Santo Domingo or Santiago where coverage is far more reliable.