Dominican Republic international flag carrier Pawa Dominicana has launched its first-ever nonstop flights from Miami to the Dominican Republic.

The carrier made its inaugural international flight from the US on Wednesday with a flight to Santo Domingo.

Pawa will be operating two daily nonstop flights between Miami and the Dominican Republic’s capital.

The launch ceremony in Miami on Wednesday.

But it may be the perks that are the biggest story: yes, the upstart carrier has included the first of its kind on any Caribbean flight: an open bar, including Dominican alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks (including beer, rum and coffee).

Prices on the new route start at $323 roundtrip.

Pawa is operating the service on MD-83 aircraft carrying 160 passengers.

It’s the latest expansion for Pawa, which has been positioning Santo Domingo as a regional air hub, with flights from the capital to Caribbean destinations including Aruba, Havana, Antigua, St. Maarten, Curacao, Port-au-Prince and San Juan.

The new service could be a boon for Santo Domingo, which has become one of the hottest urban destinations in the Caribbean.

Santo Domingo has become one of the Caribbean’s new hotspots for adventurous travelers.

That’s buoyed by a mix of historic charm in the city’s Colonial Zone with modern contemporary luxury, found in spots like the JW Marriott Hotel Santo Domingo and the Blue Mall shopping complex.

And thanks to a new highway, it’s just a two-hour drive to Punta Cana for a city-beach combination vacation.

— Caribbean Journal Staff