How to get to Samana Peninsula
Now that the El Catey airport (known as Samana airport internationally) has officially opened, reaching the Samana peninsula is much easier. At this time, the airport is only used by charter flights that change depending on the amount of tourists and season. Talk to your local agency to be informed of schedules and availability.
From the airport you may reach the peninsula by taking a short taxi ride.
If you prefer, you can reach the peninsula through a regular flight. These come into Santo Domingo and Puerto Plata. From both airports you will find various options for transfers to any place in the country.
From Santo Domingo
BY BUS
Caribe Tours provides a daily service, via the new highway, between the capital, Sanchez, and Santa Barbara de Samana. The buses are modern with air conditioning.
Bus Schedule:
Sto. Domingo - Sánchez - Sta. Bárbara de Samaná:
8:00, 10:00, 14:00 y 16:00.
Sta. Bárbara de Samaná - Sánchez - Sto. Domingo:
8:00, 10:00, 14:00 y 16:00.
Sánchez - Sto. Domingo:
8:30, 10:30, 14:30 y 16:30.
The trip takes about 2 hours until Sanchez. Buses are modern and have air conditioning. For further information call Caribe Tours Tel. (1) 809 221-4422.
From Sanchez and Santa Barbara de Samana there are transport services of “guagua” (public van), “motoconcho” (mototaxi) or taxi (clik "To get around in the Samana Peninsula"); to Las Terrenas, Las Galeras and El Limon.
Samana Transporte. Direct service Santo Domingo – Sanchez – Santa Barbara de Samana, via the new highway, with departures about every 1/2 hour starting at 6:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. The same company offers direct transportation to Las Terrenas: 8:30 a.m., 10:55 a.m., 1:40 p.m. and 3:00 p.m.; to Las Galeras: 7:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m.; to El Limon: 8:00 a.m., 1:40 p.m. and 2:35 p.m. The bus stop in the capital is at Barahona Street 129, besides Plaza Lama parking (av. Duarte).
For further information call Samana Transporte Tel. (1) 809 687-1470.
By Car
To get to the Samana Peninsula follow the Duarte freeway northbound for about 56 miles (90 km), and take the exit to San Francisco de Macoris. Continue until Nagua and Sanchez. It is not advisable to drive at night. The signals and vehicle lighting are often defective, and many different and unexpected obstacles will not allow a totally secure trip. Luckily, the new highway will reduce the travel time to the Samana Peninsula to two hours. It is supposed to be completed by the end of 2008. Everyone is waiting impatiently.
 Taxi
Can be reserved through your travel agency or by bargaining directly with the driver at the airport. The taxis are usually 7-passenger vans.
BY AIRPLANE
The Samana Peninsula has three airports: El Portillo, located 4 miles from Las Terrenas, Arroyo  Barril, near Santa Barbara de Samana, and El Catey between Sanchez and Nagua. The airlines Aerodomca offers many regular flights from La Isabela (an airport located 40 minutes from downtown Santo Domingo), to El Portillo. The Arroyo Barril airport doesn’t have any regular flights. For further information call Aerodomca Tel. (1) 809 826-4141.
Flight Schedule
La Isabela / El Portillo: 7:30, 10:00, 16:30
El Portillo / Las Americas: 8:30, 14:00, 17:00
El Portillo / La Isabela: 8:30, 14:00, 17:00
There are small airplanes available for rental; they can accommodate 3, 5, 7, or 9 passengers. For reservations contact any travel agency or the airlines. Each person is allowed a maximum of 44 lbs (20 kg) of luggage.
From Puerto Plata
By car: The trip is about 3 hours.
By bus: Caribe Tours departs at 7:00 a.m. Puerto Plata-Sanchez-Samana and at 4:00 p.m. Samana-Sanchez-Puerto Plata.
By airplane: The airline Take Off offers flights from Puerto Plata to El Portillo every day at 7:15 am. For further information call Take Off Tel. (1) 809 552-1333.
From Punta Cana
The airlines Aerodomca and Take Off, offer schedules and private flights, from and to Punta Cana. Contact them to know the timetables. Aerodomca: (1) 809 826-4141, Takeoff: (1) 809 552-1333.
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