Cibao International Airport — Attraction in La Hispaniola

I hate to complain as I enjoy coming to the DR but like others have mentioned, rules are arbitrary and are made up in terms of security and screening. As said by other recent reviewers, the international size for cologne/perfume/aftershave is 3.4 oz. I brought 3 bottles of my own cologne in my carry on bag when I was stopped for additional screening and was pulled aside while in the process of departing the DR today 8/11 out of STI to return back to the US. I rarely if ever check bags especially when going overseas as I simply prefer to have my belongings with me. No problem with being extra screened as I'm former military and worked in security myself so I'm always respectful and understanding, and If it's done fairly within the bounds of set and uniformly enforced policies. The officer put the cologne in a separate bin I thought to make room in my bag to check for other items. He begins speaking and stated he doesn't speak English and my Spanish is at a basic or rudimentary level at best. A lady next to me also traveling to the states and who was fluent in both Spanish and English told me they were going to confiscate my items and I protested, respectfully of course. He then says you have to have them in Ziploc bags and luckily I had a couple. The lady helped me get them in the bags and talked the officer into letting me keep them, which he begrudgingly did. I think the guy was upset he couldn't score some free cologne from me that I actually worked for.

I've been coming to the DR for 6 years and never heard of this policy or had this happen until now, and always kept my bottles of cologne in my toiletry bag with out a Ziploc. So if you bring fragrances in your carry on be sure to pack some large Ziploc bags. Might be a good idea to leave your expensive cologne/ perfume at home and bring something cheap you can get at the US or discount stores in your home country for $10. Will I ever fly out of here again? If circumstances dictate I do, at least I know what to expect . In fairness I have encountered some very nice employees at STI in the past and please continue to perform that way. Thank you so much to the wonderful lady that helped me and I wish I could have at least offered you a cup of coffee, some...

I decided to take a trip to Santiago to visit a friend and landed in Ciabo international airport. This was my first time here in this Beautiful country and I was welcomed to a very open and clean environment which is always a positive; the airport is small but I wasn’t expecting anything like LAX Or JFK so I was pleased by that. The reason why I’m not giving this a 5 is a very serious reason.

Now I don’t know about most people but it’s very evident that I’m a dark-skinned man coming from the US who only know some spanish and trying to get around is partially decent; but I felt discriminated twice once prior to leaving the airport and the other coming back to the airport....when going into customs you have to fill out some form of paperwork and if I knew that I would have brought a pen so asking a person for a pen was a task cause it felt like they didn’t want to help me (neitherless look at me).

When I finally got a pen from someone and filled out the paperwork and went back into line the VERY same person that I got the pen from took the pen back and told me to go to another both with an attitude that bothered me (I forgot to metion she ended up helping another person after she pushed me off to another agent).

It felt that she didn’t want to finish helping me cause I look like a person she didn’t want to help..... a black man; need I mentioned she was nearly my complexion as well?

Also a lot of passport checking as well as they don’t really let the English speaking people when there’s a delay or the gate has changed; lucky I know enough to understand but it puts certain people at a disadvantage.

The experience has me sitting here while I wait for my plane thinking if I should even land at this airport again if I come back. While It didn’t mess up my time here it does make me see who gets favored the most and it’s usually not someone of a...

The Cibao Airport, located in Santiago, Dominican Republic, is a relatively small airport. While the airport may not be the most modern or luxurious, it does have some positive aspects that make it a decent option for travelers.

One of the strengths of the airport is its strict adherence to safety and cleanliness standards. Upon arrival, travelers will notice that the airport is well-maintained and organized, with clean washrooms, tidy waiting areas, and efficient security protocols. This attention to detail instills confidence in travelers that they are in a safe and secure environment.

However, the airport's customer service at the 2nd-floor kiosk cafe was disappointing during my visit. The staff members were rude, and the prices were quite high. It was evident that some of the staff members could benefit from additional training on how to interact with customers in a more polite and efficient manner. Unfortunately, this negative experience detracted from the overall impression of the airport.

Additionally, I encountered an issue with some of the security personnel who asked me for money. This behavior is highly unprofessional and violates ethical standards. It creates an uncomfortable environment for travelers and should not be tolerated.

In conclusion, the Cibao Airport is a suitable option for travelers who prioritize safety and cleanliness. However, the airport should improve its customer service and security practices to enhance the overall experience for...