La Isabela International Airport

La Isabela International Airport (JBQ) is a true find for travellers who value their time and comfort over grand scale. This cosy aviation hub, named after Dr. Joaquín Balaguer, serves as a convenient alternative to the main capital airport, offering quick access to the business centre of Santo Domingo without unnecessary hassle. Here, you will not find endless queues or kilometre-long walkways: everything is arranged so that your journey begins or ends as calmly and efficiently as possible. La Isabela is the "insider's" gateway to the Dominican Republic, opening the path to the most picturesque corners of the Caribbean.

Airport Features and Advantages:

The main advantage of La Isabela is its strategic location. The airport is located significantly closer to the central and business districts of the capital (such as Polígono Central) than the large Las Américas hub. This makes it an ideal choice for business travellers and those wishing to save time on transfers to their hotel.

The airport is distinguished by its relaxed atmosphere and speed of service. Thanks to the compact terminal, passing through check-in, customs, and passport control takes mere minutes. Large crowds are rare here, allowing you to avoid the stress typical of large international aviation hubs.

La Isabela is an important node for regional flights. It is the home base for several local airlines (including Air Century), operating flights to neighbouring Caribbean islands (Aruba, Curaçao, Sint Maarten) and performing charter services. The airport also actively accepts private aviation, giving it the status of an exclusive and convenient transport hub.

For your convenience, we have compiled the main contact information for La Isabela International Airport (JBQ).

• Official Website: www.aerodom.com/isabela
• Information Desk Phone: +1 (809) 826-4019
• Address: Avenida Dr. Joaquín Balaguer, Santo Domingo Norte 11401, Dominican Republic
• Email: For general questions and suggestions, you can use the customer support email of the airport operator (Aerodom): servicioalcliente@aerodom.com. A contact form is also available on the official website.
• Social Media: Current information can be tracked on the official pages of the operator Aerodom on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram.
• Lost Luggage Information: If your luggage was lost or damaged during the flight, you must immediately contact your airline's representative at the airport. For items left in the terminal building, please contact the airport information desk.
• Passenger Support Contacts: For consultations and assistance, please contact the main airport information desk phone number.

La Isabela International Airport (JBQ), also known as Dr. Joaquín Balaguer Airport, is located north of the city of Santo Domingo and serves mainly domestic flights and some international destinations within the Caribbean. You can reach it from the centre of the Dominican Republic's capital in several ways, the choice of which depends on your budget and comfort preferences.

Taxi, Uber, or Pre-booked Transfer is the most convenient and reliable way to get to La Isabela Airport. A trip from central districts, such as the Colonial Zone, will take approximately 30–45 minutes depending on traffic conditions. The cost of a taxi ride is usually 25–40 USD. It is recommended to agree on the price with the driver in advance or use taxi booking apps where the cost is fixed. A transfer booked through a hotel or travel company may be slightly more expensive but guarantees the timely arrival of the car.

Public Transport in Santo Domingo is represented by "guaguas" (buses) and "carros públicos" (shared route taxis). There is no direct route to La Isabela Airport, so this option is suitable only for the most experienced and budget-conscious travellers. You would have to travel along one of the major avenues leading north, and then transfer to a local taxi or "motoconcho" (motorcycle taxi) to reach the terminal. This method is not recommended for tourists with luggage due to complexity and lack of comfort.

If you plan to travel around the country by car, then car rental will be an excellent solution. You can drive to the airport yourself by following the signs. This gives you maximum freedom of movement. Directly at La Isabela Airport, there is parking where you can leave your car for both short and long terms. This is convenient if you are flying back to this same airport.

In general, for most tourists, the optimal choice will be a taxi or transfer. It is the fastest, safest, and most predictable way to get to the airport, allowing you to avoid unnecessary stress before departure.

La Isabela International Airport (JBQ), also known as Dr. Joaquín Balaguer Airport, is the second most important airport in Santo Domingo and is distinguished by its compactness and convenience. It serves primarily domestic flights within the Dominican Republic, as well as short international flights to other Caribbean islands.

The airport operates one passenger terminal, which simultaneously serves both departing and arriving passengers. Thanks to its small size and modern layout, navigation through the building is simple and intuitive. There are no complex walkways or needs to use shuttles — all key zones are within walking distance of each other.

Departure and arrival zones are clearly delineated. Upon entering the terminal, you immediately find yourself in the check-in hall, where airline counters are located. After receiving a boarding pass and checking in luggage, passengers proceed to a single security screening point, behind which is a small waiting lounge with boarding gates. The arrival zone includes immigration control counters, a baggage claim belt, and customs control, after which passengers exit into the general hall.

One of the main advantages of La Isabela Airport is the speed of completing all formalities. Due to low passenger traffic, check-in and security screening usually take significantly less time than in large international hubs. Nevertheless, for international flights, it is recommended to arrive 1.5–2 hours before departure, and for domestic flights — 1 hour, to avoid any unforeseen delays.

La Isabela International Airport (JBQ), officially known as Dr. Joaquín Balaguer International Airport, has a relatively recent but important history in the aviation life of Santo Domingo. It was opened on February 23, 2006, with the specific purpose of replacing the old Herrera Airport, which had ended up within the limits of the expanding city, creating noise and safety issues for residents.

The main stage of development was the construction of the airport itself, which represented a strategic decision to modernize the aviation infrastructure of the Dominican Republic. Unlike many historical airports, La Isabela did not go through many reconstructions; it was designed and built as a modern complex intended to serve domestic and regional flights, as well as private and business aviation. Its creation allowed for the unloading of the main international airport, Las Américas (SDQ), and the closure of the outdated Herrera Airport.

The key historical event associated with JBQ is precisely the transfer of all operations from Herrera Airport, which finally ceased its work immediately after the opening of La Isabela. This step radically changed the logistics of air transport in the capital region. The airport is not associated with major historical upheavals or world records; its main achievement is the successful and efficient solution of an important urban planning and transport task.

Among interesting facts is the airport's name. It was named after Joaquín Balaguer, who served as President of the Dominican Republic three times. Today, La Isabela serves as an important hub for flights to Haiti, Cuba, and other nearby Caribbean islands, as well as for flights across the country, playing a key role in the regional transport network.

La Isabela International Airport (JBQ), also known as Dr. Joaquín Balaguer Airport, offers passengers all necessary services for a comfortable wait for their flight. Despite its relatively small size, the airport is well-equipped to meet the basic needs of travellers. Here you will find several cafes and snack bars where you can have a bite to eat or drink a cup of Dominican coffee, as well as shops offering souvenirs, travel goods, and duty-free products.

For those who value enhanced comfort, VIP lounges are provided at the airport. In them, you can relax in a calm atmosphere, enjoy complimentary drinks and snacks, as well as the latest newspapers. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the terminal, allowing you to stay connected. Special stations and outlets are equipped in waiting areas for charging electronic devices.

Financial matters can be resolved directly at the airport. At your service are currency exchange points and ATMs where you can withdraw cash. In case of necessity, passengers can contact the medical point for first aid. For travellers with children, mother and child rooms equipped with changing tables are provided.

La Isabela Airport is designed taking into account the needs of passengers with reduced mobility. There are ramps, specially equipped restrooms, and an escort service is available upon prior request. Although there are no hotels on the airport territory itself, several accommodation options for every taste and budget are located in the immediate vicinity. For business travellers, conference rooms or business services may be available, allowing for meetings or work while waiting for departure.

La Isabela International Airport (JBQ), being a compact regional airport, offers basic but convenient options for snacks and passenger meals. The selection here is more modest compared to large international hubs, but quite sufficient to satisfy hunger before departure.

The main catering point is usually located in the main terminal building, in the public zone (landside), before passing security control. Typically, this is a cafeteria or small cafe where you can order sandwiches, pastries, hot and cold drinks. After passing control, in the departure zone (airside), there may be a small kiosk with a limited assortment of snacks and drinks.

What to try:

• Quick snack: An ideal choice would be a cup of aromatic Dominican coffee with fresh pastries, for example, with pastelitos (small pies) or a sandwich.
• Full lunch: In the main cafeteria, you can find more substantial dishes, often in the "plato del día" (dish of the day) format, which may include rice, beans, salad, and a portion of chicken or meat.
• Local flavour: Do not miss the opportunity to try traditional empanadas (fried pies with meat or cheese filling) or drink a glass of fresh juice from tropical fruits — passion fruit, mango, or papaya.

Passengers with strict dietary restrictions should bear in mind that finding specialized vegan, gluten-free, or Halal dishes here will be difficult. Vegetarians will likely be able to order a cheese sandwich or a simple vegetable salad. If you have special dietary needs, it is recommended to bring food with you.

Prices for food and drinks at La Isabela Airport are moderate, although somewhat higher than in the city. The opening hours of catering establishments are directly linked to the flight schedule, so they are open during peak airport hours but may be closed late in the evening or at night.

To ensure your journey through La Isabela International Airport (also known as Joaquín Balaguer Airport, JBQ) goes as smoothly as possible, it is worth considering a few useful tips. This airport in Santo Domingo is smaller and quieter than the main capital hub Las Américas, which makes it more convenient for many travellers.

Arrival Time and Check-in. For departure from La Isabela, both for domestic flights within the Dominican Republic and international ones, it is recommended to arrive 1.5–2 hours before departure. Thanks to the compactness of the terminal, this time is usually sufficient to complete all formalities. To speed up the process, use online check-in for the flight if your airline offers this option.

Customs Formalities and E-Ticket. An important point for travel to the Dominican Republic: all passengers (entering and leaving) are required to fill out a single electronic E-Ticket form in advance. It combines migration, customs, and health declarations. After filling it out on the official website, you will receive a QR code — save it on your phone to present at control. This significantly speeds up the completion of formalities upon arrival.

Security Control and Hand Luggage. Standard international rules apply at security screening: liquids in containers up to 100 ml must be packed in a transparent bag. Popular souvenirs, such as rum, are recommended to be placed immediately in checked baggage. Carrying cigars in hand luggage is usually permitted, but do not forget to check the customs regulations of your destination country.

Seat Selection and Transfers. Flights from La Isabela Airport are often operated on small aircraft, so any window seat will give you beautiful views at takeoff or landing. The airport is not a major transit hub, so transfers here usually pass quickly. However, if you are flying from an international flight to a domestic one, do not forget that you will need to pass passport and customs control, which may take additional time.

Saving Time and Money. Infrastructure at La Isabela Airport is quite modest. To save money, it is better to have a snack before arriving or bring snacks with you. Exchanging currency is also more profitable in the city. For a trip to or from the city, check the cost with taxi drivers in advance or use car-hailing apps where the price will be fixed.

In Case of Flight Delay. If your flight is delayed, keep in mind that options for waiting in the terminal are limited. Bring a book, headphones, or a charged power bank to pass the time. Check all information regarding flight status and possible compensation (vouchers for food, drinks) with representatives of your airline.