Las Terrenas is about 25 km from El Catey International Airport (AZS), 25 to 35 minutes by car, and about 145 km from Las Américas in Santo Domingo (SDQ), 2 to 2.5 hours by toll highway. It is the most cosmopolitan town on the Samaná Peninsula: long beaches, French and Italian restaurants and a walkable center.
El Catey is the closest, but it has few flights. Most travelers arrive through Santo Domingo, and some through Puerto Plata or Punta Cana, with much longer drives.
Nearby airports
| Airports | Distance | Drive time | |
|---|---|---|---|
| AZS · Samaná Airport | 25 km | 25 to 35 min | The closest. Few routes, many seasonal from Canada and Europe. |
| SDQ · Las Américas Airport | 145 km | 2 h to 2 h 30 min | The one with the most flights. Autopista del Nordeste and Boulevard Turístico del Atlántico, with tolls. |
| POP · Puerto Plata Airport | 195 km | 3 h to 4 h | Along the north coast via Río San Juan and Nagua. Only if combining destinations. |
Which airport to fly into
If there is a flight to El Catey (AZS) from your city, it is the easiest arrival: about 25 to 35 minutes on the Boulevard Turístico del Atlántico to town. AZS has few scheduled routes, several only in winter from Canada and Europe.
Most people fly into Santo Domingo (SDQ). From the airport you take the ring road to the Autopista del Nordeste and then the Boulevard Turístico del Atlántico, a fast road with little traffic: 2 to 2.5 hours in all. It is one of the most expensive toll routes in the country; a February 2026 report put round-trip tolls from Santo Domingo toward Samaná at around RD$900 for a car, depending on the plazas you cross, and private transfers usually include them. Puerto Plata (POP) and Punta Cana (PUJ) are 3 hours or more away: only worth it if you are combining destinations.
Transfer routes to Las Terrenas
- Las Américas Airport (SDQ) to Las Terrenas2 h 5 min to 2 h 45 min · US$150 to US$220
- Samaná El Catey Airport (AZS) to Las Terrenas25 to 35 min · US$60 to US$85
- Puerto Plata to Las Terrenas3 h to 3 h 45 min
- Santo Domingo to Las Terrenas2 h to 2 h 45 min
Areas and transfer times
The center, between the Pueblo de los Pescadores, Punta Popy and Las Ballenas, is the most walkable area, with restaurants and services; it is about 25 to 30 minutes from AZS. Playa Bonita and Cosón, to the west, are quieter with beachfront hotels, 5 to 15 minutes from the center, and the airport transfer barely changes. El Portillo, to the east, has all-inclusive resorts about 10 minutes from the center.
From SDQ, every area is 2 to 2.5 hours away; the difference between them is a matter of minutes. What decides it is whether you want to walk out or will depend on a taxi or ATV.
Hotels in Las Terrenas
Pick your hotel to get a transfer quote from the airport.
Las Terrenas
El Portillo
Playa Bonita
Cosón
Getting around
There is no Uber in Las Terrenas. The center, around the Pueblo de los Pescadores and the main street, is walkable, as are Las Ballenas and Punta Popy beaches. For Playa Bonita or Cosón to the west, or El Portillo to the east, there are fixed-fare taxis and motoconchos everywhere; agree the price first.
Renting an ATV, scooter or buggy is very common among visitors for hopping between beaches, though dirt roads get tricky after rain. Guaguas leave for Sánchez and for El Limón and Samaná, handy for combining with the rest of the peninsula, and express buses run between Las Terrenas and Santo Domingo.
Tips
- Compare: a cheaper flight into SDQ can cost more than one into AZS once you add 2 hours of transfer and tolls.
- Carry pesos for tolls if you drive from Santo Domingo.
- If you rent an ATV or scooter, ask for a helmet and check its condition before signing.
- For the return to SDQ, leave with 5 hours to spare before your flight.
Frequently asked questions
Which airport is closest to Las Terrenas?
El Catey (AZS), about 25 to 35 minutes away. Santo Domingo (SDQ) is 2 to 2.5 hours away and has many more flights.
Is there Uber in Las Terrenas?
No. People use fixed-fare taxis, motoconchos and rented ATVs or scooters.
How much are the tolls from Santo Domingo to Las Terrenas?
A February 2026 report estimated around RD$900 round trip toward Samaná for a car (about US$14), depending on the plazas. Confirm the current rate before you travel.