Day 1 in Samana

Welcome to Samana, a narrow peninsula that juts out from the main island, home to postcard perfect secluded shores, sophisticated beachside hamlets and epic whale watching. Upon arrival, you will go through customs and immigration. Should you opt to purchase a transfer to your hotel; a representative will be waiting for you as you exit immigration. Arrive at your hotel, check in and go explore! There are many exciting things to see and do in Samana.

Since Samana sits on a peninsula, you’ll be surrounded by more water than most vacation spots. Once you arrive, head to the beautiful beaches or relax at the resort pool. Absorb the laidback atmosphere of Samana and take in the stunning views.

Next, head out to Las Terrenas. The area has a European feel, with sophisticated and colorful Victorian houses along the beachfront. Find a spot to enjoy lunch or dinner on the water, sip a refreshing beverage and people watch. Check out the art exhibited on the street and browse the charming shops for some souvenirs to take home. You can even rent an ATV to zip through the town.

Finish your day with a relaxing dinner before heading back to your hotel for a restful night sleep.

Day 2 in Samana

Visit the peaceful beaches of the area. Being that Samana sits on a peninsula, you’ll be surrounded by plenty of beautiful beaches, which are ideal for swimming and snorkeling. There are not many tourists, no massive condo complexes or resorts and the ocean water is a vibrant turquoise blue with golden sand.

Playa Punta Popy in Las Terrenas is a huge stretch of soft, golden sand all surrounded by Caribbean blue waters - one of the prettiest beaches around! The waves are calm and shallow, making this an ideal swimming beach. You’ll also find a string of restaurants and cafes where you can grab lunch. You also may want to check out Playa Coson in Las Terrenas on the northern part of the peninsula. It is considerably less popular than Playa Punta Popy, so if you’re looking for fewer crowds, this is the place to be. Playa Escondida is another beach offering pristine waters, and similar to Coson Beach, the water is stunning and much less crowded than some other area beaches.

If you’re up for doing some snorkeling, the best spots are reached by boat, along the Samana Bay. Take a catamaran tour to explore the sunken ferries and hidden gems like Cayo Levantado Island, Playa Madame, or Playa Rincon. Snorkelers often see schools of colorful fish, starfish lining the ocean floor, and have even spotted sea turtles on occasion. Most of these boat excursions pick up at Samana Bay to explore the reef and Sunken Ferry (found at Cayo Farola), and stop for lunch on the Cayo Levantado Island.

Or try out another kind of boat tour and check out the humpback whales that are so common in the Samana Bay. There are plenty of tours available that will take you out to see these incredible sea giants up close! Just be mindful of the dates, whale watching tours are available from January - March which is when these whales come to visit the Dominican Republic.

Day 3 in Samana

The region is well known for its wide range of adventure and ecotourism opportunities. Wake up early today to take an adventurous hike through the jungle to arrive at the El Limon Waterfall. The falls drop 130 feet from the top of Sierra Samana and are well worth the 1.5 mile trek. At the end of the journey, take a dip in misty falls for the ultimate refresher.

Or, Make it a full day adventure by horseback through the jungle riding through the Sierra de Samana Mountains, swimming in El Limon waterfall and ziplining over stunning views of the peninsula.

Alternatively, head to the Lost Haitises National Park. This is where parts of the Jurassic Park and Pirates of the Caribbean were filmed, which gives you a decent idea of what this park is like. Think dense jungles, rocky outcrops, a maze of mangroves, and unexplored caves, as well as a section that hugs the coastline. The National Park is about a 45-minute boat ride across from Samana Bay, you’ll be able to find plenty of tour guides around that bay that can take you to the National Park and guide you through the caves and forest.

Getting to Los Haitises National Park: The park is best reached via Samana, and Sabana de la Mar. You’ll need to go via a tour, which is not hard to find. Several companies run speed boat or catamaran tours around the park’s bay.

Additional Days in Samana

Should you be able to spend additional days in Samana, take some time to discover the secret side in Las Galera. Located about 17 miles northeast of Samana, it is a bit of a ride, but worth it! Once you arrive the local village abounds with options: a yoga-filled retreat at Villa Serena, red sea urchin snorkeling at Playa Fronton or the long beautiful stretch of coastline at Playa Rincon that’s perfect for sunbathing. For a complete lifestyle change, there’s not better option than a yoga and meditation retreat at Villa Serena, a unique beachfront property that offers a variety of yoga practices (including water yoga) as well as a gourmet raw food diet.

Your Last Day in Samana

Depart your hotel for the airport or bus station for your return home. We recommend that you purchase a private transfer, if so a representative will meet you at the hotel, in time to take you to the airport for your flight out.