From Punta Cana international airport you have two options for a door to door transfer to your hotel, airbnb, villa apartment. In addition to our direct private transfers , we offer our now well-known Private Transfer and Ferry Combination, featuring the pick-up at your location in the Punta Cana, a private transfer along the eastern coast to the small town of Sabana de la Mar, from where a local passenger-only ferry crosses the tranquil Bay of Samana to the town of Santa Barbara de Samana, where another driver will be waiting to continue to Cayo Levantado Island, Las Terrenas, Las Galeras and the other destinations on the peninsula. Dominican Shuttles’ private tranfer and ferry combination offera a truly unique experience for the more adventurous … the local ferry is totally safe, and provides a truly spectacular choice to access the gorgeous Samana Peninsula. Besides, going by ferry is not only the more adventurous option, it is also the more affordable one!
For arrivals at Santo Domingo’s Las Amercas international airport (SDQ), we offer quick, safe direct private transfers to the town of Santa Barbara de Samana, usually referred to s just ‘Samana’, Las Terrenas with its very international flavor, and Las Galeras the perfect destination for the more nature-oriented travelers with its many smaller family oriented hotels, bed and breakfasts, and eco-lodges. Dominican Shuttles is a convenient, very reasonably priced and stress-free way to reach your destination on the Samana Peninsula.
The still small but growing international airport of Samana is by far the quickest way to access the Samana Peninsula. Air Canada, Air Transat, and West Jet, as well as America Airlines and Jetblue all offer direct flights from the US and Canada. For those who want to relax and soak up the wonderful green hills and perfect beaches of Samana only hours from home, El Catey airport is the best choice. You can book your private transfer from the airport to your hotel or residence online for the most hassle-free connection from North America to the Samana Peninsula via Dominican Shuttles … a truly quick and stress-free experience from the airport to your hotel or residence in the lush Samana area.
The Samana province of the Dominican Republic is a remarkably beautiful peninsula jutting into the Atlantic ocean to form Samana Bay to the south, between the peninsula and the mainland. Samana Peninsula, with its deep green mountains and azure sea is not only dazzlingly beautiful, but is also the arena for the yearly occurrence of one of the most spectacular displays of nature … thousands of humpback whale migrate from the North Atlantic over 3,000 miles to breed and calf in its warm waters. Like clockwork they arrive around mid January and depart again mid March. They come to escape the cold and frolick in the sunny Bay much as we travellers do! Dominican Shuttles provides a safe and convenient way to travel here from any of the major airports and tourist centers. OF course we also offer private whale-watching excursions during this exciting period of the year.
5,500 year old traces of human habitation have been found in the area, some of the oldest in the entire Caribbean basin. Christopher Columbus was the first European visitor, reaching Samana in 1493, and reportedly exclaiming this had to be “the fairest land on the face of the earth.” This very first visit resulted in the first armed resistance by the indiginous Taino people who met the Europeans with a shower of arrows, giving the bay its nickname: ‘Bay of Arrows’, and becoming the very first episode of a lopsided struggle causing the Taino tribes to eventually be practically erradicated at the hands of the ‘conquerers’.
During the many years while the Spanish, French and Haitians struggled to impose their rule upon this rich land, it became a famous hide-out for pirates. During the early part of the 19th century, while the Dominican Republic was under Haitian rule, president Boyer abolished slavery and extended an invitation to free African Americans to come to the island. Many thousands were happy to accept his offer and immigrated to Haiti, and in 1824, 34 families from the East coast of the United States settled in Samana, where, contrary to the temporary episodes so common in similar situations across the Caribbean, they settled permanently, intermarried with the local population and soon became an integral part of the community. To this day some of the decendants of that group of immigrants still speak an old version of English, and names such as Harris and Jones are common!
Samana has developed from a lazy peaceful backwater which required driving long hours over dirt roads to reach as recently as 30-40 years ago, into a number of thriving tourist destinations. If ever there was a region in the Caribbean to be described as paradisiacal it is surely Samana. The largest town is Santa Barbara de Samana, situated on the southern coast of the peninsula, usually simply called ‘Samana’ for short, and has become a bustling commercial center. On the north coast, the once sleepy fishing village of Las Terrenas has quickly grown into a center for tourism, however it has retained its charming character. Las Terrenas boasts small hotels, restuarants, bars and other generally more intimate and culturally typical venues. Over the last 30-40 years, many French who originally arrived as the first adventurous tourists realized they had stumbled on paradise and stayed or came back to settle in Las Terrenas, opening fabulous french bakeries, international authentic restaurants and buzzing night life spots.
For those who yearn for a more intimate, laid back, steeped in nature sort of vacation, at the very end of the peninsula lies Las Galeras, a spectacular setting with numerous cozy bed and breakfasts and small hotels sporting a truly personalized touch. Close by are some absolutely splendid beaches such as Playa Fronton, only reachable by boat, and Playa Rincon, widely known as the most beautiful beach in the Dominican Republic and fully deserving of its reputation, although, understandably, not quite as untouched as it used to be.
Finally, if you are an adventurer at heart, a still relatively untouched beach and small community called El Valle lies just a short drive from the town of Samana to the Atlantic coast, across the peninsula. Still reachable only by dirt road, while slowly growing in reputation, this remains one of the last truly peaceful havens, with tastefully set up eco-hotels, small barefoot bars and simple outdoor restaurants where you can enjoy a delicious fried fish, caught that morning, with a side dish of the ubiquitous fried plantains or fresh vegetables.
For a safe, comfortable, family oriented and reasonably priced way to travel to this truly mesmerizing part of the island, Dominican Shuttles has long been a leading option. Having been in business for over 15 years, we know the island like the back of our hand and have built a great reputation for dependability, pleasant safe drivers, and a wonderfully relaxing way to travel to and from the arrival airport of your choice.
Santo Domingo airport(SDQ) → Samana: Distance: 160 kms Travel time: 2 hrs 25 min Santo Domingo airport(SDQ) → Las Terrenas: Distance: 140 kms Travel time: 2 hrs Santo Domingo airport(SDQ) → Las Galeras: Distance: 190 kms Travel time: 3 hrs
Punta Cana airport (PUJ) → Samana (Direct): Distance: 325 kms Travel time: 4 hrs 15 min Punta Cana airport (PUJ) → Las Terrenas (Direct): Distance: 300 kms Travel time: 3 hrs 55 min Punta Cana airport (PUJ) → Las Galeras (Direct): Distance: 350 kms Travel time: 5 hrs
Punta Cana airport (PUJ) → Samana (Ferry Route): Distance: 145 kms Travel time: 3 hrs 30 min Punta Cana airport (PUJ) → Las Terrenas (Ferry Route): Distance: 185 kms Travel time: 4 hrs 30 min Punta Cana airport (PUJ) → Las Galeras (Ferry Route): Distance: 175 kms Travel time: 4 hrs 10 min
El Catey Airport (AZS) → Samana: Distance: 45 kms Travel time: 45 min El Catey Airport (AZS) → Las Terrenas: Distance: 35 kms Travel time: 30 min El Catey Airport (AZS) → Las Galeras: Distance: 75 kms Travel time: 1 hr 30 min
A: Yes, all our transfers are private, door to door, with no stops unless requested by you.
A: Yes, all our vehicles are equiped with wifi for your convenience.
A: We monitor all flights for delays or early arrivals. Your driver will be waiting for you when you disembark.
A: if your departing flight is delayed, please let us know as soon as possible and we should be able to accommodate your updated pick-up and get you to the airport on time.
A: Cancellation at least 48 hours before your scheduled service: Full refund Cancellations made within 24 to 48 hours before the scheduled service: 50% refund Cancellation less than 12 hours before the scheduled service: No refund
A: Yes, we offer our Private Transfer & Ferry combination, featuring pick-up anywhere in the Punta Cana area, private transfer to the Samana Bay Ferry, from Sabana de la Mar to the town of Santa Babara de Samana.
A: No, there is no direct ferry, however we offer our unique Private Transfer & Ferry combination (see previous FAQ).
A: While the ferry is a local passenger only boat, it is totally safe. We have been offering the ferry option for 15 years without a single issue.
A: Yes, we offer door to door private transfers to any hotel, airbnb, bed & breakfast, and villa or residence.
A: Yes we do. Our private excursions include land transportation and a private speed boat to quickly approach the area of the Bay of Samana where whales have been sighted on the day of your visit.