Discovering Paradise
Discovering Paradise
An honest accessibility guide covering wheelchair-accessible resorts, beach wheelchairs, airport accessibility at PUJ and SDQ, transportation options, Colonial Zone cobblestone challenges, medical facilities, and practical tips for travelers with disabilities visiting the Dominican Republic.
Let's be direct: the Dominican Republic is not the most accessible Caribbean destination, but it is far from the worst. The gap between the resort experience and independent travel is enormous when it comes to accessibility. A wheelchair user at a modern Punta Cana all-inclusive will have a fundamentally different experience than someone trying to navigate the cobblestone streets of the Zona Colonial in Santo Domingo.
This guide gives you the unfiltered reality — what works, what doesn't, and how to plan a trip that minimizes frustration. We consulted wheelchair users, travelers with visual impairments, and families traveling with disabled children who have visited the DR multiple times. Their insights shape every section below.
The Dominican Republic passed Ley 5-13 (Law on Disability) in 2013, which mandates accessibility in public buildings and transportation. Enforcement, however, remains inconsistent. Here is the honest breakdown:
PUJ is the main gateway for resort travelers and is the most accessible airport in the country. The terminal was expanded in 2018-2019 and includes jet bridges (no stair climbing for most international flights), accessible restrooms in each terminal section, ramp access throughout, and designated wheelchair assistance staff.
Important: Request wheelchair assistance through your airline at least 48 hours before departure. At PUJ, the assistance staff are contracted by the airport and generally arrive promptly. Tip RD$200-500 (US$3-8) — it is appreciated but not mandatory.
Immigration and customs are on a single level. The main challenge is the walk from immigration to ground transportation, which can exceed 200 meters. Ask your assistance agent to stay with you through to your transfer vehicle.
SDQ serves Santo Domingo and is older than PUJ. Accessibility is adequate but not seamless. Some gates still use stair access to the tarmac (request jet bridge gates when booking). Elevators exist but are sometimes locked — ask security staff to unlock them. The terminal has accessible restrooms but they are fewer and farther between than at PUJ.
The drive from SDQ to the Zona Colonial or Piantini hotels takes 25-40 minutes. Arrange an accessible transfer in advance — do not rely on the taxi queue outside arrivals, as standard DR taxis are small sedans without wheelchair storage.
Smaller and less modern than PUJ. Wheelchair assistance is available but the terminal is compact with tighter pathways. Most flights use stair access. If mobility equipment is a concern, contact your airline specifically about POP procedures.
Not all resorts are created equal. We rate these based on reports from travelers with mobility needs and our own inspections:
Beach access is one of the biggest challenges for wheelchair users in the DR. The sand is loose and deep at most beaches, and permanent boardwalks to the waterline are virtually nonexistent at public beaches.
The following resorts either own beach wheelchairs or can arrange them with 48-72 hours notice:
Bring your own: If beach access is critical, consider bringing a portable beach wheelchair (foldable, balloon-tire models like the Hippocampe or De-Bug weigh 15-25 lbs and fit in airline overhead bins or checked luggage). This gives you independence at any beach, not just resort beaches.
Bávaro Beach behind the resort strip is the most accessible because the sand is relatively firm near the waterline and resort staff are available to help. Playa Juanillo in Cap Cana has a harder-packed sand base than most DR beaches, making it slightly easier for wheels. Avoid Macao Beach — the waves are strong and the sand is steep and loose.
The Zona Colonial is the crown jewel of Dominican history — and one of the most challenging areas for travelers with mobility needs. Built over 500 years ago, the streets are paved with adoquines (cobblestones) that are uneven, slippery when wet, and brutal on wheelchair wheels.
Calle El Conde, the main pedestrian boulevard, has been repaved with smoother stones and is the most navigable street. But side streets — Calle Las Damas, Calle Hostos, Calle Isabel La Católica — are rough. Sidewalks are narrow (often under 36 inches) and interrupted by parked motorcycles, vendor carts, and missing sections.
The major museums (Alcázar de Colón, Museo de las Casas Reales) have made accessibility improvements with ramps at entrances, but interior spaces still have steps between gallery rooms. The Catedral Primada de América has ramp access to the main nave but the side chapels are elevated.
Hire a private guide with a vehicle. Park on Calle El Conde or near Parque Colón and explore the central area on foot (or wheels), then drive to sights that are farther afield. A 4-hour private tour costs RD$3,000-5,000 (US$50-85). Ask your hotel concierge to arrange one — specify your accessibility needs so the guide can plan an appropriate route.
Pre-arranged private transfers are the most reliable accessible transportation in the DR. Companies that offer wheelchair-accessible vehicles include:
Available in Santo Domingo, Santiago, and Punta Cana. Neither app offers wheelchair-accessible vehicle categories. Standard cars are small sedans — a foldable wheelchair fits in the trunk, but power chairs and scooters will not. For larger vehicles, request an SUV category or hire a private service.
The Santo Domingo Metro (Line 1 and Line 2) has elevator access at most stations and designated wheelchair spaces in each car. However, elevators are frequently out of service. The Teleférico (cable car system) connecting Santo Domingo's barrios is not wheelchair accessible. Guaguas (public minibuses) do not accommodate wheelchairs.
The DR has solid medical infrastructure in major cities, and pharmacies are everywhere.
Farmacias are on virtually every block in urban areas. Major chains include Farmacia Carol, GBC, and Los Hidalgos. Most medications available without prescription in the U.S. or Europe are also available OTC in the DR — including many that require prescriptions back home. Bring a typed list of your medications with generic names (not brand names) in case you need replacements.
Pharmacy accessibility varies: chain pharmacies in shopping centers are accessible, but standalone corner pharmacies often have a step at the entrance. Farmacia Carol locations in Punta Cana and Santo Domingo malls are consistently accessible.
Do not trust website photos alone. Call the resort directly and verify these specific details:
Pro tip: Email the resort a written request specifying your exact needs, and ask for written confirmation of the room assignment. This gives you documentation if the room does not match what was promised.
Travel insurance is non-negotiable for accessible travelers visiting the DR. Standard travel insurance policies generally cover pre-existing conditions if you buy the policy within 14-21 days of your first trip payment. Key coverages to verify:
Companies recommended by accessible travel communities include Allianz Global Assistance, Travel Guard, and World Nomads. Read the fine print on pre-existing condition waivers — they have strict enrollment windows.
These recommendations come directly from wheelchair users and travelers with mobility impairments who have visited the DR multiple times:
Yes, but it requires planning. The best option is staying at a resort that provides beach wheelchairs — Hard Rock Punta Cana is the gold standard for this. At public beaches, the sand is loose and deep, making standard wheelchairs nearly impossible to push. A portable balloon-tire beach chair (bring your own or rent through your resort) opens up most beaches. Bávaro Beach and Playa Juanillo have the firmest sand among popular east coast beaches.
Partially. The main boulevard, Calle El Conde, has been repaved and is relatively smooth. Side streets are rough cobblestone with narrow sidewalks and obstacles. The major museums have ramp access at entrances but interior navigation varies. We recommend hiring a private guide with a vehicle (US$50-85 for 4 hours) who can drive between sights rather than attempting the full zone on wheels. The modern neighborhoods of Piantini and Naco are far more accessible for everyday navigation.
Bring your own. Wheelchair rental services exist in Santo Domingo (medical supply stores on Avenida Abraham Lincoln) but the quality and fit are unpredictable. Airlines are required to transport mobility devices at no extra charge — inform them at booking and again 48 hours before departure. If your chair is damaged in transit, file a claim immediately at the airline's baggage office before leaving the airport. Carry a photo of your chair's condition before the trip as documentation.
This guide covers Punta Cana. Explore more about this destination.
View DestinationOur team includes contributors who live in the Dominican Republic year-round and travel the island extensively, from Santo Domingo to remote southwest villages.