Fees · Destination Guide
Puerto Plata and Sosúa
Protected bay diving, quick logistics, and one of the easiest mixed water-and-surface trips in the Dominican Republic
Updated Mar 25, 2026 • 22 sources
Fees And Permits
Confirm these fees before you book so your operator plan and day budget match what you will pay onsite.
Fees You Can't Skip
- Tourist card / arrival fee - USD $10
- Departure tax - USD $20
- Typical payment pattern: Budget for the Dominican Republic's standard arrival and departure charges that are usually bundled into commercial air tickets, plus the mandatory free eticket.
What people usually pay
Budget for the Dominican Republic's standard arrival and departure charges that are usually bundled into commercial air tickets, plus the mandatory free e-ticket. Unlike destinations with a universal diver tag, Puerto Plata and Sosua do not publicly advertise a destination-wide marine park pass for routine bay diving. Instead, selected eco-dives, sanctuary visits, and coral-restoration activities may include operator-specific donations or conservation contributions.
| Fee | Amount | Applies to | Where to pay | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tourist card / arrival fee | USD $10 per entry, typically up to 30 days for tourism | Most air arrivals | Usually included in commercial airline tickets | The Dominican Republic's tourist card charge is generally bundled into airfare on commercial flights. Cruise passengers who remain in port do not use it the same way, and land-based exceptions can apply, so verify the exact setup for your transport mode. |
| Departure tax | USD $20 per departure | Most commercial air passengers | Usually included in commercial airline tickets | Official tourism guidance states that this tax is generally already included in the ticket price for commercial flights. |
| Dominican Republic e-ticket | Free one entry and one exit submission | All passengers entering or leaving on commercial flights | Where to pay | Complete the form online and save the QR codes. One form can cover a family group in certain cases, but each trip still needs the correct flight details. |
| Sosua Marine Sanctuary / coral-restoration contribution | Operator-specific, sometimes 200 pesos or bundled into the trip per activity | Selected eco-dives, reef cleanups, sanctuary visits, and some canyon-related activities | Through participating dive and snorkel operators | Treat this as operator-specific rather than a destination-wide mandatory diver tag. Public conservation programs around Sosua Bay may bundle entry, sanctuary support, or a direct donation to local reef work. |