Quick Facts

Samana, in Santa Barbara de Samana, is located in northeastern Dominican Republic. The town is located 245km NE of Santo Domingo and is the main town of the peninsula. It faces a bay of tiny islands and is a popular tour destination and whale watching location. It is a destination for nature lovers and adventurers. Green mountains, long beaches, small towns and turquoise waters are what make Samana an excellent tranquil destination.

Getting There & Other Transportation

If you are traveling to Samana, it is recommended to take a flight into the Samana province to the Arroyo Barril Airport. Be sure to check with your hotel if you have booked an all-inclusive vacation because transportation to and from the airport is more than likely included. If your transportation is not covered, there are taxis outside the arrivals gate. Make sure you discuss fair before entering the taxi.

A great way to see the peninsula at your own rate is to rent a car. Sama Rental Moto is a reliable company to deal with.

Another way to get around the island is by way of motoconcho. These three-wheeled motorized conveyances are like low-rent versions of taxis and will take you anywhere in Samana.

Hotels & Places to Stay

Samana is a great place to stay in an all-inclusive resort. There are some great options for all-inclusives including:

Gran Bahia Principe Cayacoa

Gran Bahia Principe Cayo Levantado

Gran Bahia Samana

Las Ballenas Escondidas

Dining & Nightlife

Being that there are many excellent all-inclusive resorts (most of which have many restaurants and bars within the resort walls), many tourists dine at their hotels. However, there is a wide selection of small restaurants to choose from in Samana City.  Here are some options:

Cayenas del Mar Beach Club (Bar/Restaurant)
American, Caribbean, and International cuisine.

La Mata Rosada (Restaurant)
Caribbean cuisine.

Taberna Mediterranea Bar Restaurant (Tapas & WineBar)
Mediterranean cuisine, seafood, and Spanish tapas.

La Hacienda Grill & Bar
Caribbean, French, seafood, steakhouse.

Bahia Azul Bar Restaurant
American, Caribbean, Continental, Latin cuisine.

Although it lacks in the flare of a lively nightlife, there are some outdoor bars and restaurants along the Malecon where you can enjoy the evening. Walk along the waterfront to see what bar/restaurant is lively that particular night.

Attractions:

Outdoor Excursions:

Beaches
There are many beaches on the north side of the peninsula where you can find great waves to splash around in. Some of these beaches include: Playa Bonita, Cozon, Las Terrenas, El Portillo and Playa Popy.

On the south side of the peninsula you can find Playa Galeras and Cay Levantado. The second is an island about one square kilometer, made up of a protruding coral reef with protects Samana bay from the Atlantic waves. It has white sand beaches with tall coconut trees.

Whale-Watching
Samana has some of the best whale-watching sites in the world…especially between January-March.

Los Haitises National Park
A short boat ride across the Bay will bring you to this park. It has one of the most important rainforests and mangrove reserves in the Caribbean. Venture into its keys and caves on your day-long excursion.

Some other excellent outdoor adventures in Samana include: horseback riding, caving, mountain biking, hiking, horse riding and rock climbing.

Historical Sites:

Samana City
The city was a main stomping ground of some of the Caribbean’s most notorious pirates and British soldiers after its discovery by Columbus in 1493. The city was settled by two shiploads of freed American slaves around 1824 and to this day, many of the residents speak English. Take a day trip into the town to explore.

Currency, Culture and Language

The official language in the Dominican Republic is Spanish.

The official currency in the Dominican Republic is the Dominican peso (DOP).