Dominican Republic Adds 800 Emergency Flights To Absorb Tourists Canceling Jamaica This Winter

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If you had been dreaming of a quiet, last-minute escape to Punta Cana this winter, we at Travel Off Path have some information: the key is formally out.

After Hurricane Melissa devastated components of Jamaica in late October, the Dominican Republic has simply green-lit a massive 800 extra flights to scoop up vacationers who’re canceling Jamaica and rerouting their winter solar journeys.

Here’s what that truly means to your trip — and the right way to keep away from getting squeezed out of the Caribbean altogether.

What’s Behind The “Jamaica Exodus”?

Hurricane Melissa slammed Jamaica on October 28, bringing excessive flooding, main infrastructure harm, and billions of {dollars} in losses.

Recovery has been slower than many hoped:

• Several inns and resorts on Jamaica’s north and west coasts aren’t expected to fully reopen till mid- to late-2026.
• Jamaica has formally declared an outbreak of leptospirosis, a bacterial illness linked to contaminated floodwater, with confirmed instances and a number of deaths for the reason that storm.
• Health officers are warning vacationers to be cautious round standing water and to observe strict hygiene and food-safety measures in the event that they go.

Meanwhile, the Dominican Republic — already one of many hottest locations on the planet and setting all-time tourism records in 2025 — noticed a chance.

Héctor Porcella, president of the nation’s Civil Aviation Board, stated they licensed 800 flights “in one fell swoop” as a result of the tourism that was headed to Jamaica is now being redirected to the DR.

800 Extra Flights = A Very Different Winter In The DR

Those 800 flights, a mixture of scheduled and constitution providers, will probably be unfold over roughly eight months — however the crunch level is the winter excessive season (Christmas via New Year’s and into early January).

Here’s what that appears like on the bottom:

• Occupancy close to 95%: Hotel associations within the DR are already projecting greater than 95% occupancy over the important thing vacation weeks.
• Goodbye, last-minute offers: When we broke down why this fashionable Caribbean island retains smashing tourism data in 2025, we famous that costs had been already creeping up. With tens of hundreds of additional passengers, don’t count on “flash sales” to magically seem.
• Busier airports: Punta Cana International (PUJ) will probably be packed, however a few of this additional raise can also be being funneled into Santo Domingo (SDQ) and Puerto Plata (POP), which could possibly be sensible performs in the event you’re versatile.

If you learn our information to the most affordable Caribbean spots for a warm winter vacation, you’ll bear in mind we flagged Puerto Plata as a less expensive, extra low-key various to Punta Cana — that tip simply obtained much more worthwhile.

How To Do The Dominican Republic Smart This Winter

If you’re already booked for the DR, don’t panic — however do get organized:

• Lock in transfers now: With occupancy pushing 95%, personal transfers, rental vehicles, and in style excursions can promote out lengthy earlier than you land.
• Confirm your flights: Extra flights imply schedule adjustments. Keep an eye fixed in your reserving and app notifications so that you’re not stunned by a time shift.
• Shift your dates in the event you can: Traveling in mid-January or early February as a substitute of New Year’s week can save severe cash and sanity, a method we’ve advisable earlier than for Caribbean winter escapes.
• Think past Punta Cana: Consider flying into Santo Domingo for a culture-plus-beach combo or Puerto Plata for a extra laid-back resort scene and higher worth.

Should You Still Go To Jamaica Instead?

Here’s the trustworthy take.

Jamaica is open. Cruise arrivals have resumed, and the tourism board is working exhausting to get key areas again on their ft.

If you:

• Hate crowds
• Don’t thoughts staying largely on-property
• Are comfy with a little bit of “rough around the edges” infrastructure

…you possibly can even have a quieter, crowd-free resort expertise in Jamaica this winter.

But there are actual caveats:

• Some inns stay closed or partially operational.
• There is an energetic leptospirosis outbreak, with well being officers advising strict precautions round floodwater and probably contaminated environments.
• You needs to be following official steering from businesses just like the CDC and the Jamaican Ministry of Health, and speak to a healthcare skilled when you have considerations — particularly in the event you plan to go away the resort bubble.

If you’re risk-averse or touring with younger children, the DR goes to really feel extra easy proper now.

No Space In The DR? Here’s Where To Pivot

If costs in Punta Cana are eye-watering or your dates are already bought out, don’t assume your winter sunshine plans are lifeless.

A couple of strong plan-B choices we at Travel Off Path love:

• Belize (Placencia): In our current round-up of two unknown paradise destinations named top Caribbean getaways for 2026, Placencia got here out as a tremendous chilled seashore city with far fewer crowds than the massive resort hubs.
• Saba: Same article, utterly totally different vibe — suppose tiny, volcanic, and wildly scenic. Amazing for divers and adventurers who need bragging rights.
• Mexico’s Costa Maya (Bacalar & Mahahual): We’ve already proven how Costa Maya still feels “untouched” in comparison with busier corners of the Riviera Maya, with laid-back Mahahual and dreamy Bacalar lagoon providing you with that Caribbean-blue water with out the mega-resort mayhem.

The Bottom Line

The Dominican Republic simply become the primary security valve for a disrupted Caribbean winter.

If you need in:

1. Book now, not “when I see a deal.”
2. Be versatile on dates and airports.
3. Have a back-up vacation spot (Belize, Costa Maya, Saba) able to go if costs spike.

Whether you experience out the crowds in Punta Cana, keep on with a quieter Jamaica, or zig the place everybody else zags, this winter is shaping as much as be some of the uncommon — and strategic — Caribbean seasons we’ve seen in years.