Samaná
The fishing towns of Samaná Bay offer great appeal to sun seekers, nature lovers and romantics, due to its islets or keys and immense beaches. Green mountains, long beaches, lively little towns and turquoise waters make up this beautiful paradise. Also, a well-loved attraction here is whale-watching between November and March.
Must See
Cape Samaná: due to its breathtaking beauty of Cape Samaná and the importance of its surrounding areas, the Dominican authorities declared the entire region as a National Monument, and part of the country’s National System of Protected Areas. Visit its coastal area for impressive seaside cliffs, which overlook the stunning “Punta El Cabito” Bay and Cape Samaná.
Las Galeras: Be sure to wear sunglasses or you might be dazzled by the bright white sand or any other of the countless marvels to be found here. The consummate peace and quiet of this beautiful bay is broken only by the sound of a fishing boat chugging back with its catch from the open sea.
Botanical Gardens: take in these gardens and be sure to close our eyes to let yourself be bewitched by the heady scents of the luxuriant vegetation. The majority of Samaná’s visitors come for the amazing humpback whale-watching excursions; but other memorable excursions in Samaná include walking the Bridge to Nowhere, or a visit to Cayo Levantado (Bacardi Island, used in Bacardi rum commercials during the 1970s).
Must Do
Underwater thrills – Samaná features the best adventure scuba diving of the north coast of the Dominican Republic. This rocky coastline with high cliffs leads to an exciting underwater world of sheer drop-offs and pinnacles that rise up to 165 feet. Beneath the moderate depths, a vast collection of cave and tunnel formations offers mesmerizing dives. Snorkel enthusiasts can enjoy the coral gardens at a shallower depth.
Beach escape – Playa Rincon features four kilometres of white-sanded beach safeguarded by a coral reef and with brooks tumbling straight down from the mountains into the sea. It can be reached by boat from Las Galeras or on foot along two forest tracks.
Island hop to Cayo Levantado – this coral reef island offers lovely white sand beaches flanked by tall coconut trees. It is a very popular day outing with boat loads of tourists arriving daily