Samana

Grand Paradise Samana

The peninsula of Samana on the northeast coast creates the magical bay of Samana which attracts whale-watchers from around the world to observe the fantastic conclave of thousands of humpback in mid-January to mid March. Samana is a land where Europeans, who first came as tourists, have opened innumerable small hotels and restaurants. With the opening of the international airport and the express highway to Santo Domingo, new investors have come to cater tourists seeking relaxation at resorts or at their own vacation homes. Samana is also the place to enjoy Dominican specialties, such as the delicious fish in coconut sauce. Sandy coves and white sand beaches run side by side with unexplored patches of tropical jungle, making for memories of paradise.

Getting there                                           Hotels in Samana


The expressway from Santo Domingo to Samana makes it is now possible to land in Santo Domingo's well served Las Americas International Airport, and than be in Samana in two hours drive time, making it an option for those who enjoy the freedom of a rented car. Likewise, charter flights from Europe and Canada fly into the new El Catey International Airport that is located half an hour from most of Samana tourist destinations.

Cayo Levantado

Getting around

Caribe Tours provides daily bus service from Santo Domingo several times a day. Caribe Tours travels to the town of Sanchez from where a half an hour separate bus or taxi trip is required to get to Las Terrenas, on the northern side of the peninsula. The Sanchez bus continues on to Samana city, from where a bus or taxi can be taken to Las Galeras. 
Linea Santiguera provides daily bus service from Santiago to Las Terrenas and Samana city but makes several stops on the way.
Those tourists planning to take the whale watching trip should consider  overnight at one of the city hotels, many of which are within walking distance from the port. Once at the beach destinations, there are mini vans available to get around. The cheapest mode of transport is by motoconcho (motorcycle taxis).

Beaches 

Cayo Levantado - Robinson Crusoe - evoking out island with white sands and small coves. Cayo Levantado is a short boat ride from Samana port.

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

Map of Samana

Playa Rincon - 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 all terrain vehicle, but is beast reached by boat. Enjoy this lush  and solitary drop of paradise before it becomes a major tourism center.

Playa Popy - 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.

Las Terrenas - A more shallow, all year long wave-less long beach, allowing some snorkelling and multicolor sunsets. Waterfront restaurants compete with the beach as the major attraction of the area.

Coson &  Playa Bonita - Located at west from Las Terrenas, 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 less known for western side of Playa Bonita, from where a view of Coson can be seen, consist of quiet, shallow swimming pool. Some excellent restaurants exist in the area, as well as vendors that will sell barbecued fish right on the beach.

                                                                                    Natural attractions

Whale watching Tours

El Limon Waterfall -  Located half way between Las Terrenas and Samana, El Limon is a must for those visiting Samana. Start as early in the morning as possible in order to reach the top at 4 km before the blazing sun of noon is at its peak. This excursion is not recommended if it has been raining the previous day due to muddy trails. Travelers have the option of riding up by horse, or hiking the approximately 4 km trek that ascends 300 meters through mountainous tropical vegetation. Several access routes spring from different paradors and trails with varying degrees of difficulty are used to get to the waterfall. Once there, travelers may award themselves for the extraordinary effort with a dip under the 40-meter cascades that plummet into a very deep swimming pool of crystal clear waters.

Whale watching - Whale watching in the Bay of Samana occurs from 15 January to 15 March, when whales migrate to the warmer Caribbean waters to mate and raise their calves. Excursions depart daily from the port of Samana and outskirts of Sabana de la Mar to observe the whales at sea. 

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