Samaná El Catey International Airport (AZS) is near the village of El Catey, about 8 km west of Sánchez at the base of the peninsula. From here it is about 30 minutes to Las Terrenas, 40 to 50 minutes to Santa Bárbara de Samaná and around an hour to Las Galeras. A taxi to Las Terrenas runs about US$60 to US$80 per car, based on traveler reports we could not check against an official table.
Aerodom runs it, and it handled about 101,500 passengers in 2024. Nearly all traffic comes from Canada in the winter season: Air Transat and Air Canada Rouge from Montreal and Toronto, WestJet and some Quebec City flights. There are also seasonal European routes such as Lisbon and Paris Orly. If there is no direct flight to AZS from your city, the usual alternative is to land in Santo Domingo (SDQ) and drive about 2 to 2.5 hours.
Routes from AZS
| Destination | Distance | Drive time | Private car |
|---|---|---|---|
| Las Terrenas | 28 km | 25 to 35 min | US$60 to US$85 |
| Samaná | 45 km | 45 min to 1 h 5 min | US$75 to US$110 |
| Las Galeras | 70 km | 1 h 15 min to 1 h 35 min | US$100 to US$140 |
One-way prices, approximate, based on posted fares and 2025 and 2026 quotes. Confirm the final price before you book.
After landing
Fill in the E-Ticket before you fly. With one or two flights at a time, immigration and customs are usually quick. Outside, reps for the Canadian package holidays wait beside the coaches heading to hotels in Las Terrenas, Samaná and Las Galeras. Private transfer drivers wait at the exit with signs. Taxis wait outside the terminal when flights are scheduled.
Taxis
Taxis have no meters and the price is agreed before you get in, per car. Traveler reports give around US$60 to Las Terrenas, and we estimate around US$70 to US$90 to Samaná town and US$90 to US$120 to Las Galeras. We found no current official table, so confirm the price with the driver. Payment is in cash; bring dollars, because there may be no working ATM.
No public transport enters the airport. Guaguas and Caribe Tours buses pass through Sánchez, but they are not practical with luggage.
Uber and ride apps
Don't count on Uber or inDrive at El Catey. We found no information that Uber picks up at AZS, and app coverage on the Samaná Peninsula is thin. Book a transfer or take a taxi from the exit.
Terminals
A single terminal, roomy for its traffic: it was built for large aircraft and has a 3,000-meter runway, but most of the year it handles only a few flights a week. On days without international flights the building is nearly empty, with few services open.
Practical details
Money: bring US dollars in cash and small bills for the taxi and tips. We could not confirm a working ATM or exchange counter in the terminal; Las Terrenas and Samaná town have bank ATMs.
Phone: set up an eSIM or roaming before you fly. Las Terrenas has Claro and Altice stores.
Season: flights are concentrated from November to April. In summer there may be very few, or none, from your city; check the airline's schedule before you plan.
Tips
- Book your transfer before you fly: AZS has few taxis and no Uber.
- Bring US dollars in cash; don't count on an ATM in the terminal.
- If there is no flight to AZS, compare with SDQ: about 2 to 2.5 hours to Las Terrenas via the Autopista del Nordeste.
- For Las Galeras, allow nearly an hour of winding road from the airport.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a taxi from El Catey to Las Terrenas?
Traveler reports put it at around US$60 to US$80 per car, about 30 minutes. There is no published official table, so agree the price before you get in.
Which airlines fly to Samaná El Catey?
Mostly Canadian airlines in the winter season: Air Transat, Air Canada Rouge and WestJet from Montreal and Toronto. There are also seasonal European routes. Check schedules each season.
Is there Uber at Samaná airport?
We found no evidence that Uber operates at AZS. Book a transfer or take a taxi.
Is it better to fly into Samaná or Santo Domingo?
If there is a direct flight to AZS, you save about two hours of driving. If not, SDQ has far more routes and the transfer to Las Terrenas takes about 2 to 2.5 hours.