Colombia's low-cost carrier Wingo has started flying nonstop from Bogotá to Puerto Plata, cutting the trip to the Dominican Republic's north coast down to roughly three hours. It's the only direct link between Colombia and Puerto Plata this season, and the introductory round-trip fares start at $300 with taxes and fees included.

The service runs twice a week, on Mondays and Fridays, which works neatly for either a long weekend or a four-night midweek trip. Flights operate between Bogotá's El Dorado International Airport and Gregorio Luperón International Airport, and the initial schedule continues through January 25, 2027 — so it covers Christmas and New Year's plus a stretch of late January. Wingo is expecting close to 9,000 seats on the route during this first season.

For arrivals, the appeal is the stretch of coast around the airport. Playa Dorada is the closest resort hub to Puerto Plata, with a cluster of all-inclusive hotels, an 18-hole golf course inside the complex, and Casa Colonial Beach & Spa — a 50-room boutique property set right on the sand with a rooftop infinity pool. If you'd rather skip the resort bubble, Sosúa sits near the airport, and Cabarete, a bit further east, is the pick for anyone planning a water-sports-heavy stay; it's a well-known spot for kitesurfing and windsurfing.

The route works both ways, too. North-coast residents in the Dominican Republic now have a straightforward way to spend a few days in Bogotá without a connection through another hub.

One booking note: January 25 is the hard end of the initial schedule. If you're eyeing a late-January escape, confirm your return flight exists before you lock in the hotel. And given that the route is currently seasonal, it's worth watching for news of an extension — Wingo hasn't committed beyond the first season yet.

Who is this for? Colombians after a cheap Caribbean beach break over the holidays, Dominicans on the north coast wanting a city getaway in Colombia, and anyone connecting through Bogotá from elsewhere in South America who'd rather hop direct to the beach than route through Punta Cana or Santo Domingo. With fares from $300 round trip on a route with no competition, early booking seems wise for the Christmas and New Year's dates, when demand on any new leisure route tends to spike.

Story via Caribbean Journal.