You’re sitting on the sand in Bavaro Beach. A Barcelo in your hand. Palm trees straight out of a beer commercial. There’s a little merengue in the background. This is why people fall in love with Punta Cana: it’s the simple, wonderful formula for a classic beach vacation. That’s why it’s also been such a popular destination for European travelers, who have long made Punta Cana one of their preferred escapes from continental winters.
And it’s about to get even simpler. Air France is making Punta Cana its sixth Caribbean destination this winter, with plans for a direct flight between Paris and Punta Cana International Airport.
The new service will run three times per week, with flights on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays on a Boeing 777.
So when will the service run? The plan is to operate the flight between Jan. 13 and March 28, 2026, essentially for the bulk of the winter tourist season.
If you’re heading to Europe (or really, from anywhere), you’ll love the Lopesan Costa Bavaro, the first Caribbean resort for the popular European hotel brand and one we loved on repeated visits for its combination of sleek design, broad amenities and unique family-friendly concepts.
Air France already serves five other regional destinations, from Cuba to French Guiana.
What you may not know is that Air France actually serves French Caribbean gems like Guadeloupe and Martinique out of Miami Airport as well.
As for prices, the route is now bookable. If you’re checking a bag, the lowest rate right now for January flights between Paris and Punta Cana is $933.28, according to Air France’s website.
It’s a sign of the recovery of the French market for the Dominican Republic, said Dominican Republic Tourism Minister David Collado.
