Private, reliable transfers from Santo Domingo Airport, hotels and cruise ports to the Haiti border.
Travelling from Santo Domingo to the Dominican–Haitian border requires a long drive, local road knowledge, and a driver you can trust. Cocotours provides safe, air-conditioned private transfers from Las Américas International Airport (SDQ) — and from hotels, residences and cruise ports throughout the capital — directly to the Dominican side of all four official border crossings with Haiti. Whether you are an NGO worker heading to a mission, a member of the diaspora visiting family, or a business traveller continuing overland to Port-au-Prince, we handle the drive so you can focus on what comes next.
Four Official Dominican-Haitian Border Crossings
The Dominican Republic and Haiti share a 391 km land border with four official crossing points open to international travellers. Our drivers are experienced on every route and know the fastest, safest road to each border gate.
View Dominican Republic–Haiti border crossings map in full screen
| Pin | Transfer Route | Drive Time | Haitian Side & Onward |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | SDQ to Pedernales | 5 – 5.5 hrs | Anse-à-Pitres → Jacmel |
| B | SDQ to Jimaní | 4.5 – 5 hrs | Malpasse → Port-au-Prince |
| C | SDQ to Elías Piña | 4 – 4.5 hrs | Belladère → Hinche |
| D | SDQ to Dajabón | 5.5 – 6 hrs | Ouanaminthe → Cap-Haïtien |
Please note: Our transfer service ends at the Dominican side of the border. You complete passport exit formalities on the Dominican side and continue independently into Haiti.
B — SDQ to Jimaní Transfer
Malpasse, Haiti | ~287 km | 4.5 – 5 hrs | Onward: Port-au-Prince (~50 km)
View SDQ to Jimaní transfer route map in full screen
The Santo Domingo to Jimaní transfer is the most popular of the four routes and the main overland corridor to Port-au-Prince. Jimaní is the busiest land border crossing on the island — once through the Dominican gate and across into Haiti at Malpasse, the Haitian capital is approximately 50 km further west via Croix-des-Bouquets. This is the route for travellers, NGO staff and business visitors heading to Port-au-Prince or the western provinces of Haiti. From SDQ the drive heads west along the motorway past San Cristóbal and Azua, then south through the Valle de Neiba towards Lake Enriquillo and the frontier.
C — SDQ to Elías Piña Transfer
Belladère, Haiti | ~271 km | 4 – 4.5 hrs | Onward: Hinche, Mirebalais, Artibonite
View SDQ to Elías Piña transfer route map in full screen
The Santo Domingo to Elías Piña transfer serves the central border crossing, also known by its historical name Comendador. Heading west from the capital past San Juan de la Maguana, this is the shortest of the four routes in driving time. Across the border at Belladère lies the Artibonite and Centre departments of Haiti — the country's agricultural heartland — giving access to the cities of Hinche and Mirebalais. This crossing is particularly well used by humanitarian organisations and development workers with destinations in central Haiti.
Our Transfers between Santo Domingo & the Haitian Border
- Private vehicle — your group travels alone, no shared shuttles
- Pick-up from SDQ arrivals hall, or from your hotel, residence or cruise port anywhere in Santo Domingo
- Air-conditioned, well-maintained vehicles for all group sizes
- Comfort stops included on all routes
- Drivers experienced on all four border routes
- TripAdvisor Hall of Fame — 30+ years of trusted service in the Dominican Republic
Crossing the Dominican-Haitian Border
A valid passport and Dominican exit stamp are mandatory at all crossings — failure to obtain the exit stamp can result in fines or a re-entry ban of up to ten years. Carry both Dominican pesos and US dollars for border fees. US citizens are advised to review the current US State Department travel advisory before travelling to the border area.
A — SDQ to Pedernales Transfer
Anse-à-Pitres, Haiti | ~331 km | 5 – 5.5 hrs | Onward: Jacmel, south Haiti
View SDQ to Pedernales transfer route map in full screen
The Santo Domingo to Pedernales transfer follows the most scenic of the four routes, passing through Barahona and continuing along the dramatic southwestern coast before reaching the remote frontier town at the tip of the peninsula. Across the border at Anse-à-Pitres lies Haiti's Sud-Est department — the entry point for travellers heading to Jacmel and the southern coastline. Pedernales is also adjacent to the emerging Cabo Rojo resort and deep-water port development.
D — SDQ to Dajabón Transfer
Ouanaminthe (Wanament), Haiti | ~318 km | 5.5 – 6 hrs | Onward: Cap-Haïtien (~12 km)
View SDQ to Dajabón transfer route map in full screen
The Santo Domingo to Dajabón transfer is the northern route, connecting the capital to the frontier town on the Dajabón River — known historically as the Rivière du Massacre. On the Haitian side, Ouanaminthe (also written Wanament in Haitian Creole) is just 12 km from Cap-Haïtien, Haiti's second city and the base for visiting the Citadelle Laferrière and the Palace of Sans-Souci, both UNESCO World Heritage Sites. From SDQ the route heads north via Santiago before turning northwest to the border.
Travellers using the Dajabón crossing should be aware that Monday and Friday are major market days, when the bridge area sees significantly higher foot traffic and activity from both sides of the border.
See also: Cocotours home | Santo Domingo transfers & tours | Santo Domingo airport transfers | Cabo Rojo
Group Travel — Haiti & the Dominican Republic
Coordinating group transport from Santo Domingo to the Dominican–Haitian border — or bringing a team across from Haiti for some well-earned rest and recreation in the DR? Cocotours has extensive experience handling group logistics for NGOs, humanitarian missions, diaspora travel, corporate delegations, and any organisation requiring reliable overland transport to or from the frontier.
With 30+ years as a leading Dominican DMC, we manage the full ground logistics for groups of any size — multiple vehicles travelling in convoy, staggered departures, and flexible pick-up points across Santo Domingo including hotels, offices and cruise ports. For groups wanting to combine a border transfer with a wider Dominican Republic programme — beach stays, city tours, or a fully guided island experience — explore our multi-day escorted tour packages.
Tell us your group size, border crossing, travel dates, and whether you need onward Dominican accommodation or tours, and we will put together a tailored proposal.
From Santo Domingo into Haiti — in Partnership with Agence Citadelle
For travellers and organisations requiring a seamless, fully managed journey from Santo Domingo all the way into Haiti, Cocotours has partnered with Agence Citadelle to offer an integrated ground and air service across the border. Whether you are an executive, a delegation, or an NGO team, we handle the Dominican side of the journey — airport pickup, private transfer to the border — while Agence Citadelle manages your onward transport into Haiti, with the following options available:
- Santo Domingo to Pétion-Ville heliport — private transfer to the Elías Piña / Belladère crossing, with helicopter connection on the Haitian side directly to the Pétion-Ville heliport near Port-au-Prince.
- Santo Domingo to Cap-Haïtien — private transfer to the Dajabón / Ouanaminthe crossing, with land transport on the Haitian side to Cap-Haïtien airport or city centre, approximately 2 to 3 hours.
- Onward connections from Cap-Haïtien airport — airline seats to Port-au-Prince (PAP) and helicopter seats to Pétion-Ville heliport are available on request.