Samaná boasts for the winter 2006 season a brand new large jet airport at El Catey (AZS), 45 minutes away. The new Samaná airport at El Catey is initially serviced with flights from Europe by: LTU (Dusseldorf) and Condor (Frankfurt) from Germany, and Neos (Milan) from Italy. Air Transat will fly directly from Canada (Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver), and Sky Service announces flights from several Canadian cities with a stopover in Puerto Plata.
   Portillo Airport on the north serves small planes bringing passengers to Las Terrenas on the northern side of the Samaná Peninsula. Other ports of entry are Santiago’s Cibao International Airport (3-hour drive) and Puerto Plata’s Gregorio Luperón International Airport (3-hour drive).
   There is scheduled service to the Santiago Airport:
   United States: American Airlines (New York and Miami), JetBlue (New York), Delta Airlines (New York) and Continental Airlines (Newark). Latin America and the Caribbean: Copa (Panama) and American Eagle (San Juan, Puerto Rico). See the Vacation Planner section on Puerto Plata, for the Puerto Plata airport schedules.
   Aerodomca offers scheduled domestic service from Santo Domingo (La Isabela International Airport) and Takeoff has flights from Punta Cana to Samana (Arroyo Barril) several times a week.

   Caribe Tours provides daily bus service from Santo Domingo (4 hours) several times a day.

Caribe Tours travels to the town of Sánchez from where a half-hour separate bus or taxi trip is required to get to Las Terrenas, on the northern side of the peninsula. The Sánchez bus continues on to Samana city, from where a bus or taxi can be taken to get to Las Galeras (less than half an hour).
   Línea Santiaguera provides daily bus service from Santiago to Las Terrenas and Samana city but makes several stops on the way (5 hours).
   Those tourists planning to take the whalewatching trip should consider staying overnight at one of the city hotels, many of which are within walking distance from the port. Once at the beach destination, there are mini-vans available to get around. The cheapest mode of transport (although the least safe) is by motoconcho (motorcycle taxis).

   Robinson Crusoeevoking out island with white sands and small coves. Cayo Levantado is a short boat ride from Samaná port.

   Las Galeras is a quiet fishing village located where the road from Samaná ends. Very good snorkeling site. It is a popular starting point for boat trips to Playa Rincon. Playa Cala Blanca is a shallow, protected beach.

   Rated by many as one of the top three beaches in the

Dominican Republic and the Caribbean, it features almost two miles of coconut tree-lined sands. There are adjacent coves for private swimming, all framed by the lush tropical forest-covered mountains. The area can be reached by allterrain vehicle, but is best reached by boat. Enjoy this lush and solitary drop of paradise before it becomes a major tourism center.

   Beach strip that fronts the Portillo Beach area resorts and residential communities. Popular with kitesurfers.

   Stretch of beach with turquoise waters and great sand, adjacent to the Portillo Resort beach. It is a very popular area that adjoins the main strip of Las Terrenas and features several small hotels across the road.

   A more shallow, year long waveless long beach, allowing for some snorkeling and multicolor sunsets. Waterfront restaurants compete with the beach as the major attraction of the area.

   Located west of Las Terrenas area with a different road access. The ocean can become rough at certain times of the year but for those who enjoy jumping waves, these beaches will provide all the fun. The lesser-known far western side of Playa Bonita, from where a view of Cosón can be seen, consists of a quiet, shallow swimming pool. Some excellent restaurants exist in the area, as well as vendors that will sell fish barbecued right on the beach.