Samaná El Catey Airport (AZS) is about 45 km from Samaná town (Santa Bárbara de Samaná), a drive of 45 to 65 minutes on the bay road. A private transfer costs around US$75 to US$110 in 2026 and a rank taxi around US$65 to US$95.
Samaná is the provincial capital and the peninsula's port town: the malecón (waterfront), boats to Cayo Levantado, trips to Los Haitises National Park and, January to March, humpback whale watching in the bay. The big resorts sit outside the centre: on the hills to the east, at Puerto Bahía to the west and on the island of Cayo Levantado.
Flights into AZS are almost all winter services from Canada and Paris, which lines up with whale season. In summer there are very few flights and most people come from Santo Domingo (SDQ), about 2.5 to 3 hours away.
Reference prices (2026)
| Option | Price |
|---|---|
| Official airport taxi | US$65 to US$95 |
| Shared shuttle (per person) | US$25 to US$35 |
| Private car (1 to 3 people) | US$75 to US$110 |
| Van (up to about 10 people) | US$95 to US$150 |
Approximate 2026 prices, per vehicle and one way; shared is per person. Hilltop hotels east of town, such as the Cayacoa, are a little farther. If you're going to Cayo Levantado, the price covers only the car to the pier; the hotel arranges the boat to the island. 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
None on the bay road (via Sánchez). If the driver goes round via the Boulevard del Atlántico and Las Terrenas, the Catey toll applies, but that route is longer.
The drive
You leave the airport heading east on the road that skirts Samaná Bay, pass through Sánchez and follow the peninsula's south shore, with the bay on your right and coconut-covered hills on your left. It's a paved two-lane road through small villages, with speed bumps and the odd slow truck, so the average speed is lower than on a highway.
Before town you pass Puerto Bahía, the marina where the Bannister sits. Central Samaná is a few minutes across; the hilltop hotels to the east add 5 to 15 minutes on a winding road. At night the road is poorly lit and runs through villages with people and motoconchos (motorbike taxis) along the edge: better with a driver.
Which option suits you
For a nearly one-hour drive through villages, a pre-booked private transfer is the least stressful option: a fixed price, a driver waiting and no haggling on the way out. The rank taxi costs a little less and works fine in daylight; agree the price and the exact hotel.
If you're heading to Cayo Levantado Resort, check with the hotel where the boat picks you up and whether the AZS transfer is already in your booking. Shared transfers run around the Canadian flights, sometimes arranged by the hotel or tour operator.
Uber isn't reliable on the peninsula. Guaguas (public minibuses) run along the Sánchez to Samaná road but don't enter the airport and aren't comfortable with luggage. A rental car is useful if you plan to visit Las Galeras, El Limón or Las Terrenas from Samaná.
Hotels in the area
- Cayo Levantado Resort
- Bahia Principe Escape Samana
- The Bannister Hotel
- Hacienda Samaná Bay
Tips
- If you're going to Cayo Levantado Resort, ask the hotel for the last boat time and book the transfer to arrive before it.
- For whale watching (January to March, within the official season opened by the Environment Ministry), boats leave from the Samaná waterfront: staying in town saves transfers.
- The road has speed bumps in every village: don't plan on getting there in less than 45 minutes.
- If your flight home leaves from AZS, allow at least 3 hours between leaving the hotel and departure time.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from El Catey Airport to Samaná?
Between 45 and 65 minutes on the bay road, depending on village traffic and whether your hotel is in town or up in the hills.
How much is a taxi from AZS to Samaná?
Around US$65 to US$95 per vehicle in 2026. A pre-booked private transfer is around US$75 to US$110.
How do I get to Cayo Levantado from the airport?
By car to the pier the hotel tells you, near Samaná, then by boat (about 15 minutes). Check with the resort whether the transfer and boat are included.