Dominican Republic tops 8.59 million visitors through September, Punta Cana drives air arrivals
From January to September this year, the Dominican Republic cemented its position as a leading Caribbean destination for leisure and business, welcoming 8,592,694 visitors. That total represents a 2.6% increase compared with the 8,371,457 non-resident foreigners recorded in the same period of 2024, according to fresh data from the Ministry of Tourism.
September alone brought 588,131 visitors across all modes of travel—490,431 by air and 97,700 by sea—marking a 1.3% rise versus September 2024.
Cumulative totals for 2025 to date show 6,575,483 tourists arriving by air and 2,017,211 cruise passengers, reflecting year-over-year growth of 2% and 4% respectively for the January–September window.
Punta Cana leads air entries, followed by Las Américas and Cibao
Breaking down September’s air arrivals, Punta Cana International Airport dominated with 59% of inbound tourists. It was followed by Santo Domingo’s Las Américas (25%), Cibao in Santiago (12%), Puerto Plata (3%), and La Romana (1%). The figures underscore Punta Cana’s ongoing role as the primary gateway for Dominican tourism.
Region-wide U.S. softness, Latin America steps up
Tourism Minister David Collado noted that political uncertainty in the United States has cooled outbound travel, pressuring tourism flows across the region. While peer destinations such as Cuba, Mexico, and Jamaica are seeing U.S. visitor declines “above 15%,” the Dominican Republic’s drop from the U.S. market stands at about 5%, he said.
“Growing without the Russian market and amid a slowdown in the broader American market has been a remarkable achievement for both the public and private sectors,” Collado added.
The United States remained the top country of residence for visitors in September, accounting for 38% of total arrivals, with a slight 0.2% decline compared with the same month last year.
Latin America delivered notable gains. Colombia climbed to second place among source markets in September, posting a 30% surge—8,882 additional visitors versus September 2024. Other standout performers included Argentina (+29%), Mexico (+64%), and Puerto Rico (+17%).
Cruise arrivals ease as operations normalize
Sea arrivals totaled 97,700 in September, down 13% year over year (14,035 fewer than the 111,735 reported in September 2024). The decline was largely attributed to three fewer cruise operations at Amber Cove, the country’s main tourism port, representing a 28% reduction in calls.
According to Deputy Minister of Tourism for Technical Affairs, Jacqueline Mora, the cruise segment is “stabilizing” after an exceptionally rapid expansion in the Dominican Republic compared with other Caribbean markets.
Related industry context
- Hotel pipeline: President Luis Abinader has indicated that 4,000 to 5,000 new hotel rooms could open by year-end, supporting capacity and diversification.
- Cruise trends: Cabo Rojo has received more cruise passengers so far in 2025 than Samaná and Santo Domingo, signaling a shift in itineraries and regional dispersion.
Why it matters for Punta Cana and national tourism
- Punta Cana’s dominance as an entry point reinforces its status as the country’s primary tourism hub, supporting airlines, hotels, and local businesses.
- Resilience in the face of a softer U.S. market highlights the importance of diversification, with Latin American markets—particularly Colombia, Argentina, and Mexico—delivering growth.
- A stabilizing cruise sector, despite fewer calls at Amber Cove in September, points to consolidation after rapid expansion and may set the stage for more balanced deployment across ports.
Key numbers at a glance
- Total visitors (Jan–Sep): 8,592,694 (+2.6% YoY)
- September visitors: 588,131 (+1.3% YoY)
- By air: 490,431
- By sea: 97,700
- Cumulative 2025:
- Air tourists: 6,575,483 (+2% YoY)
- Cruise passengers: 2,017,211 (+4% YoY)
- September air entry points:
- Punta Cana: 59%
- Las Américas: 25%
- Cibao: 12%
- Puerto Plata: 3%
- La Romana: 1%
- Top source markets (September):
- United States: 38% of arrivals (-0.2% YoY)
- Colombia: +30% YoY
- Argentina: +29% YoY
- Mexico: +64% YoY
- Puerto Rico: +17% YoY
- Cruise note: September sea arrivals down 13% YoY due to fewer operations at Amber Cove (-28%)
