Samana has it! The nature haven that is the Samaná Peninsula is as coveted today as it was in the 16th century. Pirates once hid in its lush, palm-filled forests, isolated beaches, and hidden caves, while European and Haitian troops competed over its deep water, protected bay. Today, Samaná—where Las Terrenas is—remains a paradisiacal escape of wild beaches, coconut plantations, and rainforests, yet it’s well connected by land and air.
Its rolling mountains and valleys form crystalline rivers that feed into the Atlantic, cascading toward brilliant white sand beaches that stretch around the peninsula’s rocky coastline.
It’s as if the approximately 2,500 humpback whales that visit Samaná Bay every year appreciate this natural splendor as much as visitors do. The giant mammals return annually to mate, give birth, and bask in this glorious tropical scenery. Beyond seasonal whale watching, adventures abound: body-boarding and kitesurfing in Las Terrenas; trekking, birding, and caving in Los Haitises National Park; canyoning or horseback riding to reach El Limón waterfall; and boat-hopping to magnificent white sand beaches at the base of 90-meter (300-feet) cliffs, or to offshore Cayo Levantado.
Samaná is also an independent traveler’s dream. Thousands of Europeans arrived as tourists and became residents, setting up businesses that give the area its unique cosmopolitan vibe. In Las Terrenas, French cafés and quaint guesthouses give way to Euro-chic boutiques, bistros, and beachfront lounges. Yet the peninsula retains its diverse cultural heritage: a cuisine rich in coconut flavors and seafood—an influence of early Canary Islands settlers—and a community descended from 18th-century African American immigrants. In Las Galeras, authentic fishing village life remains firm despite daytime tourist crowds headed to renowned Playa Rincón.
Wherever you decide to stay—treehouses in El Valle, eco-cabins in Las Galeras, or beachfront suites on the golden sands of Cosón—prepare for days surrounded by some of the Dominican Republic’s most magnificent beaches and rainforest escapes, where the echoes of merengue and bachata are never far away.
Getting there. El Catey International Airport (AZS) is the gateway to the Samaná Peninsula. Winter cruises dock near Cayo Levantado and Samaná Bay. Sailing enthusiasts will find full facilities and slips up to 150 feet LOA at Puerto Bahía Marina. By land, modern highways connect the peninsula to major points—Route 7 (Santo Domingo–Samaná) and the Boulevard Turístico del Atlántico toward Las Terrenas—offering breathtaking coastal views over the Bay of Cosón.
Source: godominicanrepublic.com