New Ultra-Cheap Flights Launched From The U.S. To This Historic Caribbean City

With its white-sand seashores hugged by teal seas and luxurious lodges, the Caribbean is on the high of the bucket checklist of (almost) each American who’s dreaming of a tropical getaway—and pay attention, we get it.

All of us love a little bit of pampering and some high quality seashore time, and right here at Journey Off Path, we have been to Cancun extra instances than we are able to humanly rely, however we’re undecided about you. We have been craving extra than simply sipping margaritas by the poolside and resort buffets recently.

We guess it is a good factor, then, that there is a new funds airline on the scene, they usually’ve lastly launched nonstop flights from one of many busiest airports Stateside to one of many Caribbean’s most historic cities.

One-way fares begin from solely $127, and belief us once we say you do not wish to miss this:

The Oldest Metropolis In The Complete Of The Americas

For the primary time in three a long time, a Dominican airline is working flights from Newark Liberty Worldwide Airport (EWR) to Santo Domingo, the colourful capital of the Dominican Republic.

Santo Domingo holds bragging rights as the oldest European-built metropolis within the Western Hemisphere, based within the late 1400s by none aside from Bartholomew Columbus. Yep, as in Christopher’s younger brother.

Ever for the reason that first church stone was laid in 1498, town’s been a giant deal, first as a serious Spanish buying and selling port and administrative hub within the Americas, lengthy earlier than the Dominican Republic claimed its independence, now as the most important metropolis in all the Caribbean area.

All in all, it is a metropolis of many “firsts” and that’s a part of what makes it so inherently fascinating:

• First cathedral within the Americas? That’s the attractive Baroque Catedral Primada de América, completed in 1546.
• First hospital? Hospital San Nicolás de Bari, even older than the cathedral itself, opened as early as 1503.
• First college this aspect of the pond? Universidad Autónoma de Santo Domingo, welcoming college students since 1538.
• First paved avenue? First European-style citadel? First lighthouse within the New World? Santo Domingo ticks all these bins, amigo.

Add to {that a} Colonial Zone that’s exuding Sixteenth-century allure, from the leafy plazas and ornate façades, to the comfortable cantinas and avenue markets buzzing with life, and also you begin getting the complete image.

Nonstop Flights To Santo Domingo From As Low-cost As $127

Overtouristed Punta Cana would be the Dominican Republic’s fundamental vacation spot, however as you may see, Santo Domingo holds a variety of unexplored potential, and the nation’s fast-growing funds airline is transferring fast to capitalize on it.

Newark marks Arajet’s third U.S. vacation spot, following Miami and San Juan (in Puerto Rico). They function a fleet of Boeing 737 MAX 8, and as of 2025, they serve 26 locations throughout 17 international locations.

Launched in June, the Newark–Santo Domingo flights run 4 instances every week, on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. Outbound tickets price round $127, whereas return fares common $135 when booked prematurely.

That is considerably cheaper than United or Delta’s fares, which vary from $340 to $592 roundtrip.

Beginning in winter 2025, frequency shall be ramped as much as day by day flights, and all of this has solely been made attainable by the Open Skies Settlement signed between the US and the Dominican Republic.

We can’t get into particulars as it might get fairly technical, however all it is advisable to know is that this deal permits higher air connectivity and cheaper fares for passengers flying between each international locations.

How Secure Is Santo Domingo?

Security within the Dominican Republic could be a sensitive topic, and whereas most Punta Cana-bound vacationers will normally not should concern themselves with violence and petty theft, it is a totally different story altogether in Santo Domingo.

This isn’t a resort vacation spot, in any case. It is a large metropolis over 4 million individuals name residence, and like every large metropolis in Latin America, the place widespread gang exercise and crime can pose important points, sure precautions are warranted should you’re visiting.

Because the U.S. Division of State notes, the Dominican Republic as a complete is a Stage 2 vacation spot. In non-technical phrases, you are not precisely discouraged from visiting, however you should train ‘elevated warning’. For the newest updates, use our advisory checker right here.

Everytime you’re reserving excursions, significantly guided excursions of the Colonial Zone, ensure you double-check their Google Critiques prematurely, and confirm they seem to be a well-reputed enterprise earlier than reserving.

If exploring round city by your self, ensure you go away valuables at residence, akin to jewellery and any visibly costly objects, and stick with zones vacationers normally frequent. These embrace the primary sq., the place the cathedral is, the guts of the Colonial Zone, and Ozama Fortress.

Touristy areas are typically higher surveilled, and there is normally police doing the rounds.

Oh, and most significantly, keep away from poorly-lit, abandoned streets at night time. You already know what they are saying: except you are actively out on the lookout for hassle, hassle will not come discover you, and that applies to each traveler visiting any sprawling city heart.

Vinicius Costa

Vini, our senior lead author at Journey Off Path, has over 60+ international locations beneath his belt (and at present weaving tales from Paris!), and a knack for turning off-the-beaten-path experiences into informative tales that may have you ever packing your baggage.