Samaná El Catey International Airport (AZS) is about 28 km from Las Terrenas, a drive of 25 to 35 minutes on the Boulevard Turístico del Atlántico. A rank taxi costs around US$40 to US$60 in 2026 and a pre-booked private transfer around US$60 to US$85. From Santo Domingo (SDQ), by comparison, it's 2 to 2.5 hours.
AZS is a small airport near the village of El Catey, about 8 km west of Sánchez. Almost all its flights are seasonal, November to April, and come from Canada: Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge, Air Transat and WestJet from Montreal and Toronto, and in some seasons Air Transat from Quebec City. Air Caraïbes flies in from Paris. Outside winter there are very few flights, so most summer visitors arrive through SDQ.
Las Terrenas is the liveliest town on the peninsula: restaurants, street life and long beaches such as Punta Popy, Las Ballenas, Cosón and El Portillo.
Reference prices (2026)
| Option | Price |
|---|---|
| Official airport taxi | US$40 to US$60 |
| Shared shuttle (per person) | US$20 to US$30 |
| Private car (1 to 3 people) | US$60 to US$85 |
| Van (up to about 10 people) | US$80 to US$135 |
Approximate 2026 prices, per vehicle and one way; shared is per person and depends on other passengers being on your flight. The airport rank taxis work on fixed zone fares. The toll is usually included in a pre-booked transfer price; with a taxi, ask. A round trip is roughly double.
One-way prices, approximate, based on posted fares and 2025 and 2026 quotes. Confirm the final price before you book.
Tolls
On the Boulevard Turístico del Atlántico you pass the Catey toll. The latest official fare we found, from 2022, was RD$400 for cars (about US$6.40); it may have changed. The toll-free alternative is the mountain road from Sánchez, which is slower.
The drive
From the airport you join the main road and turn onto the Boulevard Turístico del Atlántico, a wide, well-paved road that crosses the peninsula's hills down to the north coast. You pass the Catey toll near the start. The boulevard reaches Las Terrenas on the Cosón and El Portillo side, so hotels there come before the town centre.
The other route, the mountain road from Sánchez, is shorter in kilometres but has tight bends and steep grades; drivers rarely use it with tourists. Inside Las Terrenas, motoconcho (motorbike taxi) traffic and the busy main street can slow the last kilometre, especially on weekend nights.
Which option suits you
The airport rank taxi is a reasonable choice: drivers work on fixed zone fares and the drive is short. Agree the price, and whether it includes the toll, before you get in. If you land on a full high-season flight, a pre-booked transfer saves you the queue and waits even if the flight is late.
Shared transfers are mostly arranged around the Canadian flights; ask your hotel whether it coordinates one. For groups of 5 or more, a private van works out cheaper per head than two taxis.
Uber and inDrive aren't a reliable option on the Samaná peninsula, and Las Terrenas taxi drivers are well organised. A rental car makes sense if you want to explore the peninsula (El Limón, Samaná, Las Galeras, Playa Rincón); to stay around town, many visitors rent a pasola (scooter) or a quad bike locally.
Hotels in the area
- Viva V Samaná by Wyndham
- Sublime Samaná Hotel & Residences
- Bahia Principe Explore El Portillo
- Hotel Alisei
- Hotel Playa Colibrí
- Hotel Atlantis
Tips
- Ask whether the taxi price includes the Catey toll before you get in.
- If your hotel is in Cosón or El Portillo, say so: they come before the town centre and the ride is shorter.
- Change some money into pesos at the airport or bring cash; Las Terrenas has ATMs, but they sometimes run dry in high season.
- Outside winter there are almost no flights into AZS; in summer, compare with flying into Santo Domingo (SDQ) and driving 2 to 2.5 hours.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a taxi from El Catey Airport to Las Terrenas?
Around US$40 to US$60 per vehicle in 2026. Fares are fixed by zone; check whether the toll is included.
How long does the drive take?
Between 25 and 35 minutes on the Boulevard Turístico del Atlántico. The mountain road from Sánchez takes longer.
Which airlines fly into Samaná El Catey?
Mostly in winter: Air Canada, Air Canada Rouge, Air Transat and WestJet from Montreal and Toronto, and Air Caraïbes from Paris. Check your dates with the airline.
Does Uber work in Las Terrenas?
Not reliably. Use the airport taxis, a pre-booked transfer or transport arranged by your hotel.