SAMANA
Come to know the most paradisiacal places!
Entering the sea from the northeast coast of the Dominican Republic, the Samaná Peninsula, a natural paradise, is as coveted today as it was in the 16th century. Pirates used its lush palm groves, secluded beaches and hidden caves as hiding places, while European and Haitian troops fought for the deep waters of its bay.
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Today, Samaná, often abbreviated to refer to the entire peninsula, is well connected by land and air, yet it remains the paradise and remote escape of the wild beaches, coconut plantations and rainforests of the Dominican Republic. Its rolling mountains and valleys form the crystalline rivers that flow into the Atlantic as they rush towards sparkling white sand beaches that stretch hundreds of kilometers around the rocky coast of the peninsula. It is as if the approximately 1,500 humpback whales that visit the Bay of Samaná each year appreciate this natural splendor as much as the visitors. These giant mammals return each year to this special corner of the Dominican Republic to mate, give birth and enjoy this glorious tropical landscape. In addition to the seasonal whale watching excursions by boat in the picturesque Samaná Bay, there are more ecotourism adventures: bodyboarding and kitesurfing in Las Terrenas; hiking, bird watching and caving or caves in Los Haitises National Park; canyoning or horseback riding to reach the El Limón waterfall; and boat trips to the magnificent white sand beaches, at the base of 90 meter cliffs, or to the coast of the island of Cayo Levantado.
Samaná is also the dream of every independent traveler. Thousands of Europeans came as tourists and became residents, creating businesses that give the area a unique cosmopolitan air. In Las Terrenas, French cafes and quaint guesthouses give way to European-style beachfront boutiques, bistros and lounges. But the peninsula retains its diverse cultural heritage. In addition to the croissants, you'll find cuisine rich in coconut and seafood flavors, an influence from early Canarian settlers and descendants of 18th-century African-American immigrants who continue to thrive here. In Las Galeras, the life of a fishing village remains firm despite the large influx of daytime tourists who flock to the famous Playa Rincón.
Wherever you decide to stay on the peninsula, be it in tree houses in El Valle, in an eco-friendly cabin in Las Galeras, or in an oceanfront suite on the glorious golden sands of Playa Cosón: get ready to spend days surrounded by some of the the most splendid beaches and getaways of the Dominican rainforest, where the echoes of merengue and bachata are never far away.
El Catey International Airport (AZS) is the gateway to the Samaná Peninsula. Cruises dock in Samaná in the winter season, near Cayo Levantado and the Bay of Samaná. Boating enthusiasts will find complete docking and docking facilities for vessels up to 150 feet in length at Puerto Bahía Marina, at the northern end of Samaná Bay. By land, modern highways connect the peninsula with the most important points, including the Santo Domingo-Samaná Highway, or Route 7, and the Boulevard Turístico del Atlántico towards Las Terrenas, offering impressive and winding coastal views over Cosón Bay.
Samaná is also the dream of every independent traveler. Thousands of Europeans came as tourists and became residents, creating businesses that give the area a unique cosmopolitan air. In Las Terrenas, French cafes and quaint guesthouses give way to European-style beachfront boutiques, bistros and lounges. But the peninsula retains its diverse cultural heritage. In addition to the croissants, you'll find cuisine rich in coconut and seafood flavors, an influence from early Canarian settlers and descendants of 18th-century African-American immigrants who continue to thrive here. In Las Galeras, the life of a fishing village remains firm despite the large influx of daytime tourists who flock to the famous Playa Rincón.
Wherever you decide to stay on the peninsula, be it in tree houses in El Valle, in an eco-friendly cabin in Las Galeras, or in an oceanfront suite on the glorious golden sands of Playa Cosón: get ready to spend days surrounded by some of the the most splendid beaches and getaways of the Dominican rainforest, where the echoes of merengue and bachata are never far away.
El Catey International Airport (AZS) is the gateway to the Samaná Peninsula. Cruises dock in Samaná in the winter season, near Cayo Levantado and the Bay of Samaná. Boating enthusiasts will find complete docking and docking facilities for vessels up to 150 feet in length at Puerto Bahía Marina, at the northern end of Samaná Bay. By land, modern highways connect the peninsula with the most important points, including the Santo Domingo-Samaná Highway, or Route 7, and the Boulevard Turístico del Atlántico towards Las Terrenas, offering impressive and winding coastal views over Cosón Bay.