New ferry Mayaguez San Pedro by Balearia Caribbean
new ferry Mayagüez San Pedro
The daily ferry between Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic is getting closer
Every day we’re closer to the long-awaited Balearia ferry that will connect the city of Mayagüez (Puerto Rico) with San Pedro de Macorís in the Dominican Republic.
According to both Dominican and Puerto Rican authorities, only a few regulatory matters remain to be resolved on the Puerto Rican side. The Dominican Consul General in Puerto Rico, Mr. César Cedeño, confirmed that in San Pedro de Macorís all necessary adjustments have already been made for the Balearia Caribbean ferry to begin operations. He also stated that both the Mayor of Mayagüez and Governor Jennifer González are fully committed to solving these pending matters as soon as possible to launch the route.
In Puerto Rico, active efforts are underway to address the issues delaying the inauguration of the ferry line between the two countries.
This ferry route, connecting Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic, will cover 133 nautical miles in approximately six hours. The vessel operating this route will have capacity for about 1,000 passengers, around 350 vehicles (including cars and vans), and roughly 300 containers in its cargo holds.
It will become a key maritime link for trade and tourism between both coasts, forming a fundamental part of the multi-destination project between the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico in the coming years.
Expected by mid to late 2026
Based on our experience — which time has proven right — we estimate that the new ferry route between Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic will be fully operational by the summer of 2026.
We’ll keep you updated with any new information as it becomes available.
- Information updated as of October 26, 2024 -
The ferry trips between Mayagüez (Puerto Rico) and San Pedro de Macorís (Dominican Republic) have been postponed.
According to the newspaper El Nuevo Día, unfortunately, Balearia Caribbean, a subsidiary of the Spanish company Balearia, will not be able to start routes in November 2024 between the ports of Mayagüez and San Pedro de Macorís, as originally planned.
This new route was presented during the International Tourism Fair in Madrid (Fitur) in January 2024 in Spain, with Puerto Rico's Governor Pedro Pierluisi and Balearia's President Adolfo Utor. During this event, November 2024 was set as the launch date for operations between Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic.
New terminal construction in Mayagüez.
The delays in starting this route, which will connect Puerto Rico with the Dominican Republic, are due to the planning of a new terminal to host Balearia’s ferry operations and to allow various cruise lines to dock. Construction of this terminal is scheduled to begin in early 2025.
The governor has also announced that funding has been requested to enable Customs operations at the port. This would ensure the budget for CBP, short for U.S. Customs and Border Protection, to station agents who will handle customs and immigration inspections at Mayagüez.
Therefore, the preparation of the Customs and Immigration facilities in the port area of Mayagüez, necessary for Balearia to operate this route, has not yet begun. Francisco Nolla, Executive Director of Puerto Mayagüez Development (PMD), which manages the port, confirmed that these works are currently in the design phase. The project is expected to be completed by the second quarter of 2025.
Last quarter of 2025
From our perspective, and considering project delays, the new ferry route between Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic, optimistically, will not be operational until the last quarter of 2025.
We will continue monitoring this situation to update information about this route.
- Information as of August 27, 2024 -
Balearia Caribbean is continuing its efforts to establish a presence in Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic. They plan to establish a new ferry route between Mayagüez (Puerto Rico) and San Pedro de Macorís (Dominican Republic) during the second half of 2024.
Local media in Puerto Rico has reported multiple visits by Balearia executives to Mayagüez, where they met with local authorities and the Dominican Republic consul to finalize operational details.
Throughout 2023, visits by Balearia employees to Puerto Rico have been ongoing.
Since August 2023, meetings have been held with logistics service providers, cargo handling and transportation companies, fuel suppliers, and customs officials, among others. Relevant visits to the local ports in both territories have also been conducted, where certain adaptation works will be needed to ensure docking and undocking maneuvers, as well as to ensure proper cargo loading on the ferry.
The vessel designated for this Mayaguez San Pedro ferry service has yet to be confirmed. Indications suggest it may be the Jaume II, which currently connects the Fort Lauderdale Bimini and Fort Lauderdale Freeport routes in Florida, U.S., allowing another fast ferry to serve the routes connecting Florida and the Bahamas.
The expected launch date for the Puerto Rico – Dominican Republic ferry by Balearia Caribbean is currently September 2024.
