Car rental for the Samana peninsula centres on El Catey International Airport (AZS), where rental counters meet the arrivals flow, and on Las Terrenas, about 25 minutes away, where local agencies keep offices and deliver to hotels. Book ahead for whale season - mid-January to late March fills the peninsula - and for Easter and Christmas weeks. A car suits Samana unusually well: the draws scatter - Las Galeras and Rincon beach at one end, the El Limon waterfall road across the hills, Sanchez and the national-park boat docks the other way - and taxi fares between them add up fast. Roads are winding but decent; the toll expressway from Santo Domingo makes the peninsula an easy 2.5-hour drive, and a compact car handles everything except the roughest beach tracks.
We earn from qualifying purchases. Some links are affiliate — full disclosure.
Cross-trip essentials
Plan the rest of your trip
Vetted partners across the essentials. Bookings fulfilled by partner — Aurum earns commission on completed bookings, at no extra cost to you.
Need a ride?
Pre-book an airport transfer
Door-to-door private transfers in 100+ countries. Fixed prices, vetted drivers, instant confirmation.
Search transfers →Where you'll stay
Find a hotel or stay
Compare hotels, resorts, villas, and apartments through our trusted booking partners.
Browse stays →Travel covered
Get travel insurance
From about $1.50/day. Trip cancellation, medical, lost luggage — all from vetted partner underwriters.
Compare plans →