Can you book a side-by-side tour in the Dominican Republic from Canada?
Yes. RAID CARAIBES SSV runs multi-day side-by-side tours from Las Terrenas, on the Samaná Peninsula, in 240 hp 2026 Can-Am Maverick R X RC machines. These are guided trips with lodging, meals, fuel, gear, a professional guide and trail support, not a few hours on a rental.
For Canadian travellers, the trip has three practical advantages: an airport served from Montreal and Toronto, a team that works in English and French, and a Caribbean dry season that falls right in the middle of the Canadian winter. Our UTV and side-by-side glossary explains the terms used in each market.
Canadians already know the destination well: from January to May 2026, 734,699 non-resident air travellers from Canada arrived in the Dominican Republic, making Canada the second country of origin after the United States, according to Central Bank of the Dominican Republic figures.
Why does a Can-Am feel familiar to Canadian riders?
Because Can-Am is a brand of BRP (Bombardier Recreational Products), headquartered in Valcourt, Québec. The Maverick R's Rotax 999T engine also comes from a BRP brand.
The Can-Am brand celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2023. If you already ride a side-by-side at home, you will find a familiar name in a premium form: the 2026 Maverick R X RC has a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission, 35-inch tires, 18 inches (45.7 cm) of ground clearance and up to 26 inches (66 cm) of suspension travel. Full details are on the 2026 Can-Am Maverick R X RC page.
How do you get to Las Terrenas from Montreal or Toronto?
Samaná El Catey International Airport (AZS) is the closest airport to Las Terrenas, about a 30-minute drive away. Several Canadian airlines fly there nonstop from Montréal-Trudeau (YUL) and Toronto Pearson (YYZ), mainly in winter.
| From | Airlines serving Samaná (AZS) nonstop, depending on the season | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Montréal-Trudeau (YUL) | Air Canada, Air Transat, WestJet | WestJet launched Montreal–Samaná for winter 2025-2026, with 2 flights a week from Dec 11, 2025 |
| Toronto Pearson (YYZ) | Air Canada Rouge, Air Transat, WestJet | Seasonal routes, check each season |
Schedules and frequencies change from one season to the next, so check each airline's 2026-2027 timetable before booking. If your flight lands elsewhere, such as Santo Domingo, Punta Cana, Puerto Plata or Santiago, an arrival through those airports can also be discussed with our team.
Your package includes scheduled transfers between the airport or agreed meeting point and Camp Can-Am, Avenida Emilio Prud'Homme, in Las Terrenas. Airfare is not on the list of included services, so include your airport and flight dates in your request.
Which side-by-side packages are available, and at what price?
There are three packages, from 7 to 13 days, priced per driver in US dollars: 5,900 USD for the Discovery Raid, 7,900 USD for the Grand Raid and 9,900 USD for the Expedition Raid.
| Package | Length | Trail days | Terrain | Price per driver | Private buggy option |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Discovery Raid | 7 days | 3 | Coastal tracks, tropical paths, beaches, villages | 5,900 USD | + 1,500 USD per vehicle |
| Grand Raid | 10 days | 6 | Jungle, muddy tracks, elevation, longer stages | 7,900 USD | + 2,500 USD per vehicle |
| Expedition Raid | 13 days | 9 | Mountains, remote tracks, jungle, mud | 9,900 USD | + 3,500 USD per vehicle |
The base price is for a shared buggy setup. If you travel as a couple and want to ride in the same Can-Am, the private buggy option is mandatory: it is charged once per vehicle, and your companion does not pay a second full package. Rather not drive? A professional driver can take the wheel for you at the same price as a driver, with 1 passenger maximum per vehicle. Full details are on the Pricing and options page.
What does the all-inclusive package cover?
The package covers almost everything on the ground, but it is not a resort-style all-inclusive: alcoholic drinks, personal expenses and damage caused by the driver are not included.
- Included: scheduled transfers, welcome, safety briefing and ability check, a prepared 2026 Can-Am Maverick R X RC, driver gear for the driver and companion, selected lodging, planned meals and soft drinks, fuel for the trail days, professional guide, trail support, photos and complete route organization.
- Not included: personal expenses, alcoholic drinks, additional personal liability insurance (recommended), and breakage or damage caused by the driver, which is deducted from the security deposit.
Insurance is included in the package. Because the booking deposit is non-refundable, personal travel insurance covering cancellation, trip interruption, medical costs and repatriation is also recommended.
When should you go to escape the Canadian winter?
December to April is the driest season in the Dominican Republic, exactly when winter sets in back home. From mid-January to late March, humpback whales also gather in Samaná Bay, which makes a good day out before or after your tour.
The Atlantic hurricane season runs from early June to the end of November. During the rainy months, from May to November, trails can become more technical; the team always adapts the route to conditions and to the group's safety.
Scheduled dates are posted on the Upcoming departures page. Travelling with friends? With 3 or more drivers, each with a private buggy, a private departure can be arranged on your dates, for example in January or February, subject to the availability of vehicles, lodging and the team.
What documents do Canadian travellers need?
According to the Government of Canada, your passport must be valid for at least 6 months after your arrival date; a temporary exception allowing tourists to enter with a passport valid for the length of their stay only applies until the end of 2026. No tourist visa is required for stays of 30 days or less.
- E-Ticket: an online form you must complete to enter and to leave the country, on every trip.
- Tourist card: if you arrive by air, its cost is included in your airline ticket.
- Driver's licence: to drive on the tour, you must be 18 or older with a valid car driver's licence. For driving on Dominican roads, the Government of Canada says a Canadian licence is accepted for up to 30 days and that you must carry an International Driving Permit.
These rules can change, so check travel.gc.ca before you leave.
How do you request dates and book from Canada?
Send a request with the package you are interested in, your travel window, your departure airport and the number of drivers and passengers; the team will reply with availability, inclusions and booking steps. Use the request form.
- Choose a package and a travel window, or check the upcoming departures.
- Send your request and say whether you want to drive or ride with a professional driver.
- Your booking is confirmed once we have checked availability and the 50% booking deposit has been paid; this deposit is non-refundable.
- The balance is due 10 days before arrival, and a security deposit of 4,000 USD per driver is required before departure.
Accepted payment methods: credit card, bank transfer, Western Union cash deposit, or cash on site for a balance approved by the team. Never driven a side-by-side? Read our guide to UTV tours for beginners, and for your free days, see things to do in Las Terrenas and Samaná.
Sources
- Wikipedia, Samaná El Catey International Airport (airlines, destinations, drive times), accessed Oct 18, 2026
- WestJet, winter schedule from Québec (in French), July 2025
- Air Canada, flights to Samaná (AZS), accessed Oct 18, 2026
- Air Transat, flights to Samaná (in French), accessed Oct 18, 2026
- Diario Libre, where tourists to the Dominican Republic come from (Central Bank data, in Spanish), Jul 8, 2026
- BRP, About BRP (in French)
- BRP, Can-Am 50th anniversary press release, Valcourt, Jun 20, 2023 (PDF, in French)
- BRP, 2026 Can-Am Maverick R X RC specification sheet (PDF)
- Government of Canada, Travel advice and advisories: Dominican Republic, updated May 26, 2026
- Go Dominican Republic (Ministry of Tourism), Las Terrenas (dry season)
- Dominican Today, 2026 humpback whale watching season in Samaná, Jan 16, 2026