Dominican Republic Travel Statistics 2026
The most comprehensive collection of Dominican Republic tourism data, including visitor numbers, revenue, airport traffic, hotel occupancy, and growth trends.
Key Takeaways
- 10M+ international visitors annually — #1 most visited Caribbean destination
- Tourism contributes $9.4B+ to GDP (17% of national economy)
- 80+ direct flight routes from US/Canadian cities to 6 DR airports
- Average tourist spend is $130-$150/day per person
- Punta Cana receives 60%+ of all international arrivals
8.5M+
International Visitors (2024)
$10.2B
Tourism GDP Contribution
87,000+
Hotel Rooms Nationwide
1.2M+
Cruise Passengers (2024)
Top Source Countries (2024)
| Country | Visitors | Market Share | YoY Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 3,200,000 | 37.6% | +8.2% |
| Canada | 1,150,000 | 13.5% | +5.1% |
| Germany | 420,000 | 4.9% | +12.3% |
| France | 380,000 | 4.5% | +9.7% |
| United Kingdom | 310,000 | 3.6% | +7.8% |
| Colombia | 290,000 | 3.4% | +15.2% |
| Spain | 270,000 | 3.2% | +6.4% |
| Russia | 245,000 | 2.9% | +18.6% |
Airport Traffic by Hub (2024)
| Airport | Passengers | Share | Airlines | Destinations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Punta Cana (PUJ) | 8,100,000 | 55.4% | 65+ | 120+ |
| Santo Domingo (SDQ) | 4,200,000 | 28.7% | 30+ | 55+ |
| Puerto Plata (POP) | 1,500,000 | 10.3% | 15+ | 25+ |
| La Romana (LRM) | 520,000 | 3.6% | 8 | 12 |
| Samana (AZS) | 180,000 | 1.2% | 5 | 8 |
| Santiago (STI) | 120,000 | 0.8% | 4 | 6 |
Hotel Occupancy by Region
| Region | Annual Avg | High Season | Low Season | Total Rooms |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Punta Cana / Bavaro | 78% | 89% | 62% | 42,000+ |
| Puerto Plata / North Coast | 68% | 82% | 52% | 12,000+ |
| Santo Domingo | 65% | 75% | 55% | 15,000+ |
| Samana Peninsula | 62% | 85% | 42% | 5,500+ |
| La Romana / Bayahibe | 72% | 86% | 58% | 8,000+ |
Month-by-Month Visitor Distribution
| Month | Visitors | Occupancy | Avg Nightly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 850,000 | 82% | $185 |
| February | 820,000 | 84% | $195 |
| March | 880,000 | 86% | $190 |
| April | 720,000 | 75% | $160 |
| May | 550,000 | 62% | $125 |
| June | 580,000 | 64% | $130 |
| July | 750,000 | 76% | $165 |
| August | 700,000 | 72% | $155 |
| September | 480,000 | 55% | $110 |
| October | 520,000 | 58% | $115 |
| November | 620,000 | 68% | $140 |
| December | 830,000 | 83% | $200 |
Average Daily Spend by Tourist Type
| Traveler Type | Daily Spend | Avg Stay | Total Trip Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| All-Inclusive Resort Guest | $180-350 | 6.8 days | $1,224-2,380 |
| Independent Mid-Range Traveler | $120-200 | 8.2 days | $984-1,640 |
| Budget Backpacker | $45-75 | 12.5 days | $563-938 |
| Luxury Traveler | $400-800+ | 5.5 days | $2,200-4,400+ |
| Cruise Passenger (Shore Day) | $80-180 | 1 day | $80-180 |
| Wedding Guest | $200-400 | 4.2 days | $840-1,680 |
Tourism Growth Trends (2019-2026)
| Year | Visitors | Tourism Revenue | YoY Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 6,446,036 | $7.5B | +3.8% |
| 2020 | 2,405,313 | $3.2B | -62.7% |
| 2021 | 5,584,517 | $5.8B | +132.2% |
| 2022 | 7,159,000 | $8.4B | +28.2% |
| 2023 | 7,830,000 | $9.3B | +9.4% |
| 2024 | 8,500,000 | $10.2B | +8.6% |
| 2025 (proj.) | 9,000,000 | $10.8B | +5.9% |
| 2026 (proj.) | 9,500,000 | $11.5B | +5.6% |
Wedding & Cruise Tourism
Wedding Tourism
Cruise Tourism
Sources: Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism (MITUR), Central Bank of the Dominican Republic, ASONAHORES, Caribbean Tourism Organization. Data reflects estimates based on published reports through Q4 2024, with 2025-2026 projections based on trend analysis.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many tourists visit the Dominican Republic each year?
The Dominican Republic welcomed approximately 8.5 million international visitors in 2024, making it the most visited destination in the Caribbean. This represents a significant recovery and growth from pre-pandemic levels of 6.4 million in 2019. Projections for 2025-2026 indicate continued growth toward 9-9.5 million annual visitors.
What is the biggest source of tourists to the Dominican Republic?
The United States is by far the largest source market, accounting for approximately 37.6% of all international arrivals (about 3.2 million visitors in 2024). Canada is second at 13.5%, followed by Germany, France, and the United Kingdom. South American markets, particularly Colombia, are the fastest-growing source markets.
How much does tourism contribute to the Dominican Republic's economy?
Tourism contributes approximately $10.2 billion to the Dominican Republic's GDP, representing about 17% of the total economy. The sector directly and indirectly employs over 700,000 Dominicans. Tourism is the country's largest foreign exchange earner, surpassing remittances and free-trade-zone exports.
Which airport in the Dominican Republic has the most traffic?
Punta Cana International Airport (PUJ) is the busiest airport in the Dominican Republic and the entire Caribbean, handling approximately 8.1 million passengers annually. It accounts for 55.4% of all air arrivals to the country. Santo Domingo's Las Americas Airport (SDQ) is second with 4.2 million passengers.
What is the average tourist spend per day in the Dominican Republic?
Average daily tourist expenditure varies significantly by traveler type. All-inclusive resort guests average $180-350 per day, mid-range independent travelers spend $120-200, budget travelers can manage on $45-75, and luxury travelers spend $400-800+. The national average across all visitor types is approximately $148 per day.
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Data Sources
- Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism (MITUR)
- OpenStreetMap geographic and business data
- AI-powered real-time scanning and cross-referencing
- Published traveler reviews and community feedback