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Destinations
on the Samana Peninsula
Considered
by many Dominicans and visitors alike to be the
most beautiful part of the Dominican  Republic,
the Samana Peninsula is a naturalist's delight!
Unspoiled white-sandy beaches, coconut-covered
mountains, clear mountain streams winding through
lush, tropical rain forests, vibrant coral reefs,
internationally known whale-watching and many
other attractions - a vacation of adventure is
awaiting your discovery.
The soft white beaches, turquoise waters, swaying
palms, tranquil villages and warm weather year-round
of the Samana Peninsula, only one hour from Puerto
Plata, have made this area one of the most sought-after
tourist destinations of the island. A relaxed
atmosphere permeates both the northern and southern
coasts of this quiet peninsula. It is 15 miles
of completely unspoiled white sand beaches lined
with coconut palms, shallow waters.
 Along
the Samana peninsula, tropical vegetation surrounds
a turquoise bay, dotted with tiny islets. The
last of these is the jewel-like Cayo Levantado
and a trip there by boat makes a wonderful one-day
excursion. Las Galeras and Playa Rincon are dream
beaches both close to the city of Samana. Like
these, many smaller sandy coves await discovery
along the way. Much of the Samana Peninsula remains
wild and scantily populated. Hardy visitors can
penetrate unexplored patches of tropical jungle,
and bathe in bubbling, unpolluted rivers.
How
To Get There
Fly into Santo Domingo or Puerto Plata, overnight
there, and the next day take the domestic commuter
flight into Portillo air strip on the north side
of Las Terrenas. If your hotel is in Las Galeras
or Samana City, you may consider renting a jeep
at El Portillo Resort across the street from the
airport and going by car. If you are in Santo
Domingo, a Metro Bus leaves at 7 am and will take
you into Samana city, dropping you off on the
Malecon. If you are in Puerto Plata, take the
Caribe Tours bus that leaves at 7:30 am from Sosua
into Samana. Note that Las Terrenas is about a
45 minute drive from Samana City. These are very
inexpensive, service is comfortable coach and
these are scenic rides, although you will be on
board for about 4 hours.
Las Galeras
Although Las Galeras has recently experienced
an increase in visitors, life in this small, rustic
fishing community is still quiet and serene. The
early morning hours witness the local fishermen
setting out to sea in their small boats and the
warm tropical sun heralds the start of daily activities
centered around Rincon and Las Galeras Bays and
their great beaches. With a world-class beach,
Playa Rincon, as the crowning jewel of all the
Caribbean's beaches, the adjoining bays play host
to some 9 beaches, with each one being a picture-perfect,
postcard-like setting for a carefree, tropical
vacation.
The main beach of Las Galeras is at the very end
of the North Coast Highway, the village's principal
street. Here you will find both native-built fishing
boats and the more modern ones used for excursions
to outlying area beaches. The end of the road
is also the terminus for taxi service, both public
and private. Public taxis, "gua-guas,"
leave for Samana every 20 minutes from 7am until
6pm daily.
In the village there are about 10 small restaurants
and bars offering Dominican and international
food; two discos (out of earshot of the hotel!)
playing meringue, salsa and bachata; food and
souvenir shops; money-changing facilities; jeep
and motorbike rental; a dive and water sports
centre; and an office which provides computer,
Internet, fax, telephone and postal facilities.
Las Galeras activities include fishing, snorkeling,
scuba-diving, sailing, kite and wind surfing,
horseback-riding, walking along the shore or in
the surrounding hills, cycling, bird-watching,
painting and photography, plus several tours and
excursions (see below).
Las Terrenas
Once a sleepy, little fishing village on the North
Coast of the Samana Peninsula, today's Las Terrenas
is a prime vacation destination for visitors to
the Dominican Republic. With miles of undeveloped
white-sandy beaches and protected inshore waters,
this city of over 11,000 people is a bustling
center of activity. And although fishing is still
an important part of local life, the allure of
this tropical paradise has fueled its growth to
become an important part of the world's rapidly
growing, recreational market.
The balmy climate with it's ever-present trade
winds and the warm temperature of the sub-tropical
Atlantic Ocean combine to provide this part of
the island with year-round, delightful weather
with only a few degrees difference in temperature
between winter and summer. Even during those infrequent
winter days when a "Northeaster" blows
in from the North American continent, a light
windbreaker is all the extra clothing needed.
Annual rainfall is moderate with no perceptible
"rainy season" usually found in the
more tropical, equatorial locations.
In Las Terrenas you will find several banks with
an ATM, various boutiques, an air-conditioned
supermarket, French, Italian, Spanish, Japanese
and Dominican restaurants, a vegetarian restaurant,
discotheques, bars with jazz, rock or Dominican
music (Merengue and Bachata), several rentals
of motorcycles, jeeps, quads (ATV), bikes, horses,
boats, jet-skis, wind surfboards or even a small
airplane.
Las Terrenas activities include horseback riding,
scuba diving, snorkelling, deep-sea fishing, kite
and wind surfing, catamaran sailing trip and whale
watching tours (January - March), plus several
other tours and excursions (see below).
Area Activities and Tours
Los Haitises National Park, on Samana Bay near
Samana, is known for its mangrove and swamp areas
and caves with Amerindian rock paintings. The
park has varied plant life and landforms, including
lunarlike karst landscapes with pockmarked terrain
and deep pockets of limestone. Guided tours of
the park leave from Samana, Sanchez and Sabana
de la Mar. Samana is 65 mi/105 km northeast of
Santo Domingo.
One of the most beautiful tours in Dominican Republic
is the Visit to the Sanctuary of Humpback Wales
in Samana, Samana's whales are well known. Each
year 3 to 5 thousand humpback whales return to
Bahia de Samana and adjacent waters to give birth
and mate for the following year. From January
until March, playful males can be observed vying
for the attentions of demure females. Sky-rocketing,
standing on their tails (and heads, too!), flippering,
tailing; all sorts of antics may be observed under
carefully controlled conditions aboard excursion
boats staffed by knowledgeable personnel. Excursions
leave from Samana Harbour and several other points
along the north shore of the bay. Samana's whales
are truly an international treasure and are fully
protected by the Dominican government. For Dominicans
it is a big business. Ninety percent of their
yearly income will be generated during the whale
season.
Most of the beaches are very quiet, especially
during the summer months. Las Galeras is one of
the most peaceful areas in all of Samaná,
with a horse-shoe shaped beach with clear, turquoise
water and sugar white sand. West of Las Galeras
is Playa Rincon, a beach on the eastern part of
the peninsula that has been voted as one of the
best beaches in the world by Condé Nast
Traveler. Since rough terrain makes this enchanting
beach rather inaccessible, the easiest route is
to take a short ferry ride from Las Galeras. More
adventurous travelers may consider taking a trip
to Salto de Limon, a stunning hundred foot waterfall
with a natural swimming pool at the bottom where
you can cool off after your hike there. Trips
to the waterfall can be taken by horseback or
by a hiking from the main road. Many hotels in
the area will be able to arrange your trip there.
Area Top Attractions
Bay of Punta Tibisi, Samana Peninsula
This quiet bay is popular among divers seeking
to avoid more crowded areas.
Cabo Cabron, Samana Peninsula
This uninhabited region on the island's northern
coast is one of the most remote spots on the island.
Playa Grande Beach, Samana Peninsula
The Whales (Las Ballenas), Samana Peninsula
This group of various-sized rocks creates a series
of interconnected tunnels for scuba divers.
The Tower, Samana Peninsula
This huge underwater rock structure rises over
150 feet to just under the surface and is an interesting
place for scuba divers to explore.
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