Samana - Dominican Republic
Samana is a destination for nature lovers and adventurers. Green mountains, long beaches, solitude, lively little towns in between, turquoise waters best describes Samana. Samana is also a romantic destination, and several of its small hotels are perfect for honeymooners. Samana is also a good choice for experienced scuba divers. And the place to stay if whale-watching is high on your agenda. It is the place to sit on a porch or in the shade of a palm tree, sipping something cool and discover the rare feeling of being happy just being alive.
Important to note, Samana is one tourist area in the Dominican Republic where credit cards are not as readily accepted. It is best to bring cash, travel checks or use your ATM card at one of the banks in town.
Hotels in the province of Samana are primarily located in the city of Samana, Las Galeras, Las Terrenas, El Portillo, Cozon and Playa Bonita areas. It takes about half an hour to cross the peninsula north to south and about an hour to go from East to West. There is a small airport in El Portillo (EPS) with commuter flights to Santo Domingo. There is an international airport in El Catey (AZS), about half an hour from the Sanchez crossing to Las Terrenas.
Samana's tourism industry will be bolstered by the completion of the new tourist highway, making travel to Samana only 2 hours and a half.
Beaches on the north side of the peninsula: Playa Bonita (fun waves), Cozon (fun waves, can be rough), Las Terrenas, El Portillo and Playa Popy (always tranquil waters). Playa Rincon is on the north side, but needs to be reached via the Samana road or by boat. Once you are in Las Galeras, there are daily small boat ferries to Playa Rincon beach, a spectacular 2 km. bay.
Among Samana's attractions are El Limon Waterfall. The waterfall is about 300 meters above sea level and has a 40 meter drop that ends in a very deep but swimmable pool of crystal clear waters. Los Haitises National Park is easily reached by a short boat ride across the Bay is Los Haitises National Park. This area is known as having one of the most important rainforests and mangrove reserves in the entire Caribbean, complete with keys and caves. You can only enter the park with a certified guide.
Samana has some of the best whale-watching in the world. Every year, the excursions depart to catch the frolicking giant creatures from 15 January to 15 March.
Important to note, Samana is one tourist area in the Dominican Republic where credit cards are not as readily accepted. It is best to bring cash, travel checks or use your ATM card at one of the banks in town.
Hotels in the province of Samana are primarily located in the city of Samana, Las Galeras, Las Terrenas, El Portillo, Cozon and Playa Bonita areas. It takes about half an hour to cross the peninsula north to south and about an hour to go from East to West. There is a small airport in El Portillo (EPS) with commuter flights to Santo Domingo. There is an international airport in El Catey (AZS), about half an hour from the Sanchez crossing to Las Terrenas.
Samana's tourism industry will be bolstered by the completion of the new tourist highway, making travel to Samana only 2 hours and a half.
Beaches on the north side of the peninsula: Playa Bonita (fun waves), Cozon (fun waves, can be rough), Las Terrenas, El Portillo and Playa Popy (always tranquil waters). Playa Rincon is on the north side, but needs to be reached via the Samana road or by boat. Once you are in Las Galeras, there are daily small boat ferries to Playa Rincon beach, a spectacular 2 km. bay.
Among Samana's attractions are El Limon Waterfall. The waterfall is about 300 meters above sea level and has a 40 meter drop that ends in a very deep but swimmable pool of crystal clear waters. Los Haitises National Park is easily reached by a short boat ride across the Bay is Los Haitises National Park. This area is known as having one of the most important rainforests and mangrove reserves in the entire Caribbean, complete with keys and caves. You can only enter the park with a certified guide.
Samana has some of the best whale-watching in the world. Every year, the excursions depart to catch the frolicking giant creatures from 15 January to 15 March.
