Punta Cana International Airport (IATA: PUJ, ICAO: MDPC), is a private airfield located close to the city center of the town and it is the busiest airport in the Dominican Republic with +90 airports serves in +26 countries. It is also worth to mention that this is the first privately owned international airport in the world and it is the second business of the Caribbean airports with over 10.6M passengers over 2025. The airport is pretty quiet until 10h and then it starts to pick-up all along the day until early evening.

The traffic is mainly dominated by the United States of America, Canada and Panama well known airlines and charters compagnies. You’ll also encounter the top European charters compagnies and you’ll be happy to spot some regionals and South American airlines like Aerolineas Argentinas, Aeromexico, Arajet, Avelo, Avianca, JetSmart Colombia, LATAM and Wingo.

Please do not hesitate to contact the local spotter community on Instagram.

Written by Jeremy Denton and Jose E. Lopez. Last Update: January 2026

Rating
Movements
Airline Variety
Photo Locations
Weather
Airport Information
Runways
08/26	3,100m (10,171 ft) – Asphalt
09/27	3,100m (10,171 ft) – Asphalt
Terminals	Two terminals building.
Spotting Information
Ladder	Not allowed and not needed.
Car/Public Transport	Taxis and UBER are available, but we recommend to rent a car (safer).
Drinks/Food	A petrol station with fast-food and a huge mall is available at the airport’s access road.
Hotels	No dedicated plane spotting hotel but a Four Season is very close to the terminal.
Season	Preferably in the dry season from December to May however the weather is in general very good so you can spot all along the year, you may just experienced a bit more showers.
Security	The police are generally accommodating to the plane spotting hobby, just be polite. Nonetheless be careful about thief or beggar at spot 1 or 2. You are better to give them some money (3-4$) to make them happy and to leave you in peace than putting yourself in a bad situation.
Runway Usage
08/26	Main runway and often use 08
09/27	Mainly used as a taxiway and or as a back-up runway.

	Spot #1 – Illumel & Cerarte Parking lot – 08 arrivals
WHERE	The spot is located on a parking lot in an industrial area along the interstate 5. Access to is possible only if coming from the north. So in the case coming from the airport you have to pass this place and make a u-turn at the next junction. Once there just park your car anywhere on a parking space.
WHAT	All rwy08 arrivals.
TIME	Winter: all day Summer: not usable as it is backlit from afternoon and the sun is just too high during the day..
MISC.	Nothing at the spot, bring with you what you need or at 2 minutes drive you have a petrol station with a fast-food chain as well as toilets.
FOCAL LENGTH	A332 = 180mm, A320 = 220mm, GLF5 = 290mm

PUJ-SPOT1

PUJ-SPOT1

PUJ-SPOT1

	Spot #2 – Runway 08 threshold – 08 line-ups & arrivals
WHERE	The spot is located at the 08 threshold right next to the I105, You’ll have park by the roadside and there are two options, depends on which direction you are coming from. If coming from the south(airport) you can stay at Spot 2A or from the the north/city at Spot 2B.
WHAT	Spot 2A is perfect for line-ups on runway 08. For 08 arrivals the angle is pretty bad and spot 1 is the better option. From Spot 2B you can photograph arrivals on 08.
TIME	2A: Winter line-up from noon until sunset and approach all day. In summer only line-ups from afternoon. 2B: Winter its backlit in the summer it is usable from afternoon.
MISC.	Police may keep you away from time to time but you can still come back at the location and park your car there as long as they don’t threat you. Nothing at the spot, bring with you what you need or at 5 minutes drive you have a petrol station with a fast-food chain as well as toilets.
FOCAL LENGTH	150mm to 500mm

Spot 2A:

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PUJ-SPOT2-A

PUJ-SPOT2-A

Spot 2B:

PUJ-SPOT2-B

PUJ-SPOT2-B

PUJ-SPOT2-B

	Spot #3 – Terminal B Lounge & Terrace – Apron and taxiway
WHERE	There are two spotting options at Terminal B, after the security checks so a boarding pass is needed. Once you go through the passport control look at the sign “VIP Lounge” (you have to pay a fee) and follow until you arrive at the area. This is spot 3A. It provides a snack bar plus an outdoor pool! The better and cheaper option is Spot 3B. After passport control head straight for the end of the Terminal B near gates B25 & B26 where you’ll find a nice outside terrace that faces the taxiway. There is a glass barrier so just stand on a chair to clear it.
WHAT	3A: From the lounge access you’ll enjoy a nice upward view on the gates B20,B22,B24 and B26. You can also shoot the aircraft that are from T1 taxiing towards the runway to depart but sadly all taxi shots will result by having the “jetty” from gate B26 exposed on your picture. 3B: By using the terrace spot, you’ll face straight and literally next to all movements taxiing in front of you, you simply need to be a bit creative to be on top of the window glass to avoid any glare reflections.
TIME	3A: Totally depends on what to photograph but usually in winter all day. In summer taxiway is always backlit. 3B: Only usable in winter. In summer not usable as it is backlit from afternoon and the sun is just too high during the day..
MISC.	All you need is provided in the terminal.
FOCAL LENGTH	3A: 18-70mm depending on the angle. 3B: A320 = 35mm

Spot 3A Lounge.

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PUJ-SPOT3-L

PUJ-SPOT3-L

Spot 3B Terrace

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