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La Isabela International Airport
La Isabela, Dominican Republic
La Isabela International Airport
Santo Domingo's domestic and regional relief airport.
- ›Officially named Dr. Joaquín Balaguer International Airport after the former Dominican president.
- ›Serves as a domestic relief airport for Santo Domingo, complementing Las Américas International Airport.
- ›Operated by Aerodom, the concession company managing several Dominican airports.
- ›Located in the La Isabela neighborhood in the northern part of Santo Domingo.
- ›Primarily handles light aircraft, charter flights, and short-haul regional services.
La Isabela International Airport, officially known as Dr. Joaquín Balaguer International Airport, serves as a secondary international airport for the greater Santo Domingo metropolitan area in the Dominican Republic. Originally a domestic facility, it was upgraded to handle international traffic and now primarily serves charter and regional flights, relieving pressure from Las Américas International Airport. Its location in the La Isabela district of Santo Domingo Norte makes it a practical option for travelers heading to the northern parts of the capital.
- Main Terminal — A single compact terminal handling both domestic and limited international charter operations with basic passenger amenities.
- Taxi services available at the arrivals area
- Private car hire and pre-booked transfers
- Public minibus (guagua) routes connecting to Santo Domingo city center
- Ride-hailing apps such as Uber and Caribe Rides operating in the area
- Hotel Villa Elisa
- Coral Hamaca Beach Hotel & Casino (nearby area)
- Holiday Inn Express Santo Domingo
- Renaissance Santo Domingo Jaragua Hotel & Casino
- Hotel Dominican Fiesta
Inside the terminal, food and beverage options are limited to a small snack bar and café suitable for light bites before departure. Travelers are advised to eat before arriving, as choices within the airport are minimal. The surrounding La Isabela and Santo Domingo Norte neighborhoods offer local Dominican eateries and comedores serving traditional dishes at affordable prices.
- Confirm whether your flight uses JBQ or the main Las Américas Airport (SDQ) before traveling to Santo Domingo, as both serve the city.
- Negotiate taxi fares before departure or use a metered/app-based service to avoid overcharging.
- Arrive early as the terminal is small and check-in lines can move slowly during peak charter traffic periods.
- Currency exchange options inside the terminal are limited, so carry Dominican pesos or exchange money in the city beforehand.
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Dr. Joaquín Balaguer International Airport — also known as La Isabela International Airport — is an international airport in the Dominican Republic, serving as a secondary airport for Santo Domingo. It is located at El Higuero, about 10 km (6.2 mi) northwest of the city. It opened on 23 February 2006 to replace the Herrera International Airport. It is named after former Dominican president Joaquín Balaguer.
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