Samana Peninsula
We’ve compiled the best of the best in Samana Peninsula - browse our top choices for the top things to see or do during your stay.
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1. Los Haitises National Park
RuinsA highlight of any visit to the Samaná Peninsula is Los Haitises National Park (pronounced High-tee-sis), which is across Samaná Bay. The park...
A highlight of any visit to the Samaná Peninsula is Los Haitises National Park (pronounced High-tee-sis), which is across Samaná Bay. The park is famous for its karst limestone formations, caves, and grottoes filled with pictographs and petroglyphs left by the indigenous Taínos. The park is accessible only by boat, and a professionally guided kayaking tour is highly recommended (a licensed guide from a tour company or the government is mandatory for any visitor). You'll paddle around dozens of dramatic rock islands and spectacular cliff faces, while beautiful coastal birds—magnificent frigate birds, brown pelicans, brown booby, egrets, and herons—swirl around overhead. A good tour will also include the caverns, where your flashlight will illuminate Taíno petroglyphs. It's a continual sensory experience, and you'll feel tiny, like a human speck surrounded by geological grandeur. DominicanShuttles (DominicanShuttles.com) can arrange a park tour and a stay at the adjacent, and rustic Paraiso Caño Hondo Ecolodge, which has authentic creole cuisine and multiple waterfalls.
Samaná Bay, Samaná, Samaná, 32000, Dominican Republic809-472–4204Sight Details
Rate Includes: $4, not including mandatory use of licensed guide -
2. Playa Cosón
BeachThis is a long, wonderful stretch of nearly white sand and the best beach close to the town of Las Terrenas. Previously undeveloped, it's now...
This is a long, wonderful stretch of nearly white sand and the best beach close to the town of Las Terrenas. Previously undeveloped, it's now reachable by a new highway, Carretera Cosón, and there are a number of condo developments under construction (so the current sense of solitude probably won't last). One excellent restaurant, The Beach, serves the entire 15-mile (24-km) shore, and there's the European-owned boutique hotel Casa Cosón and its restaurant and bar. If beachgoers buy lunch and/or drinks at either, then they can use the restrooms. Amenities: food and drink; parking; toilets. Best for: swimming; sunset; walking; windsurfing.
Las Terrenas, Samaná, 32000, Dominican Republic -
3. Cayo Levantado
BeachThere are no public beaches in Samaná town, but you can hire a boat to take you to Cayo Levantado, which has a wonderful white-sand beach on...
There are no public beaches in Samaná town, but you can hire a boat to take you to Cayo Levantado, which has a wonderful white-sand beach on an island in Samaná Bay. Today the small island has largely been turned into a commercial enterprise to accommodate the 1,500 cruise-ship passengers who anchor here; it has dining facilities, bars, restrooms, and lounge chairs. Unfortunately, it can be extremely crowded and boisterous when there's a ship in port, so it may be best to avoid a trip to the island on those days. The beach, however, is undeniably beautiful. The island's Bahía Príncipe Cayo Levantado (809/538–3131), an upscale, all-inclusive resort with its own launch, sells one-day passes (adults only) for about $120.
View Tours and ActivitiesSamaná Bay, Samaná, Samaná, 32000, Dominican RepublicSight Details
Rate Includes: Public beach free -
4. Dominican Evangelical Church
Religious Building/Site/ShrineBack in 1824, a sailing vessel called the Turtle Dove, carrying several hundred slaves that had escaped from Philadelphia, was blown ashore...
Back in 1824, a sailing vessel called the Turtle Dove, carrying several hundred slaves that had escaped from Philadelphia, was blown ashore in Samaná. The historic Dominican Evangelical Church is the oldest original building left in Samaná. The structure actually came across the ocean from England in 1881 in a hundred pieces and was reassembled here, serving the spiritual needs of the African-American freedmen. In 1946 a city-wide fire wiped out most of Samaná's wooden buildings and Victorian architecture; this church was miraculously saved.
Calle Theodore Chaseurox, in front of Catholic church, 2 blocks north of the cruise ship pier, Samaná, Samaná, 32000, Dominican Republic809-538–2579Sight Details
Rate Includes: Donations appreciated -
5. La Playita
BeachLa Playita, or Little Beach, is a stunner that's a 15-minute walk from the main Las Galeras beach. Here you'll find a small shack serving fresh...
La Playita, or Little Beach, is a stunner that's a 15-minute walk from the main Las Galeras beach. Here you'll find a small shack serving fresh fish and a newer, two-story stucco restaurant with a variety of seafood offerings and a full bar (there's a disco at night). There are some grubby plastic lounges for rent, some makeshift grills, and a beautiful small beach with few people. Coconut trees lean far out over the water, and the virgin stretch of Cabo Cabrón extends far along one side, providing incredible views and a sense of privacy and solitude. Amenities: food and drink; parking; toilets. Best for: partiers; solitude; sunset; swimming; walking.
Las Galeras, Samaná, 32000, Dominican Republic -
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6. Playa Bonita
BeachOn Playa Bonita you can bounce between the golden beach (BYO towel—no chaises) and one of the hotels and restaurants directly across the rough...
On Playa Bonita you can bounce between the golden beach (BYO towel—no chaises) and one of the hotels and restaurants directly across the rough road, where you can have lunch. The beach can disappear during flooding and high tides. It's a quiet stretch of gold sand with leaning coconut trees. If you go across the street, there are restaurants/bars where you can find food and restrooms. Amenities: food and drink; toilets. Best for: partiers; sunset; surfing; swimming; walking; windsurfing.
Las Terrenas, Samaná, Dominican Republic -
7. Playa Frontón
BeachPlaya Frontón is a beach accessible only on foot or by boat. It's on the east side of the easternmost cape of the peninsula. You can have your...
Playa Frontón is a beach accessible only on foot or by boat. It's on the east side of the easternmost cape of the peninsula. You can have your hotel arrange for a fisherman to take you there, either privately or with a group. As you might expect, this long, uncluttered, white sand beach will have almost no one there. (It's B.Y.O. everything.) Once in the clear water look before you step. Sea urchin alert, so you better be wearing reef shoes. Snorkeling is stellar but beware of strong currents. Amenities: None. Best for: beautiful sunrises; swimming; snorkeling; walking.
Las Galeras, Samaná, 32000, Dominican Republic -
8. Playa Las Ballenas
BeachPlaya Las Ballenas is the westernmost of the three beaches at the town of Las Terrenas (the others are Terrenas and Punta Popy, all three of...
Playa Las Ballenas is the westernmost of the three beaches at the town of Las Terrenas (the others are Terrenas and Punta Popy, all three of them forming a continuous stretch of beach with different names). Ballenas is the nicest stretch in town since it's the quietest. Moderately priced hotels across the street provide chaises to their guests. Kayaking and sailing on Hobie Cats are popular here. This beach is named for the small whale-shaped cays in the distance. Amenities: food and drink. Best for: sunrise; sunset; swimming; walking; windsurfing.
Las Terrenas, Samaná, Dominican Republic -
9. Playa Las Galeras
BeachPlaya Las Galeras is within this tiny coastal town, a 20-minute drive northeast from Samaná town. You'll find a group of makeshift food shacks...
Playa Las Galeras is within this tiny coastal town, a 20-minute drive northeast from Samaná town. You'll find a group of makeshift food shacks—eat at your own risk, but the cervezas are ice cold. The sand is nearly white, the Atlantic waters generally calm. It has been designated a "Blue Flag" beach, which means that it's clean and unpolluted, though there are several small hotels here. Seaweed is regularly raked up and there is no parking fee, as it is just street parking. That all said, this is really just a departure point for the nearby virgin beaches closer to the cape to the west. Amenities: food and drink. Best for: partiers; snorkeling; sunset; walking.
Las Galeras, Samaná, 32000, Dominican Republic -
10. Playa Punta Popy
BeachPlaya Punta Popy is basically an undistinguishable continuation of Playa Terrenas to the east; this section is slightly cleaner and less crowded...
Playa Punta Popy is basically an undistinguishable continuation of Playa Terrenas to the east; this section is slightly cleaner and less crowded the farther east (away from town) you travel. Closer to town, and particularly on weekends, it is jammed with locals who spread out their lunches on the picnic tables, play music, and enjoy themselves rather loudly. Across the road, depending on where you are, there are restrooms and food and drink; otherwise, not. Amenities: none. Best for: kitesurfing; swimming; walking.
Las Terrenas, Samaná, Dominican Republic -
11. Playa Rincón
BeachRemote Playa Rincón, a beautiful, white sand beach, is one of the most beautiful beaches in the entire region. Relatively undeveloped, there...
Remote Playa Rincón, a beautiful, white sand beach, is one of the most beautiful beaches in the entire region. Relatively undeveloped, there are no facilities per se, but local ladies will sell you lobster and fish in coconut sauce with rice, and cold drinks. (However, determine that your lobster is alive before you buy it.) Other vendors may have beach chairs or sell bracelets and kitschy souvenirs or massage and braiding services. The water can be rough, but there are some calmer areas. The beach is cleaned regularly but not often enough. You can reach Rincón by boat, bus, or car from Las Galeras, with a boat the better option. Driving here takes about 30 minutes from town. Theft is a real problem here, so when swimming, watch your belongings, and don't bring valuables, and don't stay late. Amenities: food and drink. Best for: partiers; snorkeling; swimming; walking.
Las Galeras, Samaná, 32000, Dominican Republic -
12. Playa Terrenas
BeachPlaya Terrenas is the most crowded (and dirtiest) of all the peninsula's beaches. As you approach the ocean from the town of Las Terrenas, a...
Playa Terrenas is the most crowded (and dirtiest) of all the peninsula's beaches. As you approach the ocean from the town of Las Terrenas, a fork divides the road. To the west is Playa Las Ballenas, and to the east is this beach. Still, it is golden sand, and a good long stretch. It’s heavily populated with Dominicans and lots of kids on weekends, which keeps things lively and noisy. On weekends, you'll find vendors with makeshift grills and coolers of beer; otherwise, you must go to the nearby restaurants for restrooms and food; you'll need a cover-up there. Amenities: food and drink. Best for: partiers; sunset; swimming; walking.
Las Terrenas, Samaná, 32000, Dominican Republic -
13. Puerto Escondido
BeachPuerto Escondido is the beach at the Grand Bahía Príncipe Cayacoa, and day visitors can enjoy the sands if they buy a day pass at the resort...
Puerto Escondido is the beach at the Grand Bahía Príncipe Cayacoa, and day visitors can enjoy the sands if they buy a day pass at the resort. Availability and price depends on the season, hotel occupancy, etc. Though crowded with guests, the beach offers great views of the bay, plenty of drinks and lunch options, chaises, nonmotorized water sports, and the best strand on the south side of the peninsula. Amenities are available if you partake of the resort's facilities. Amenities: food and drink; parking; toilets; water sports. Best for: partiers; snorkeling; swimming; walking.
Playa Puerto Escondido, Samaná, Samaná, 32000, Dominican Republic809-552–1444-Grand Bahía Príncipe Cayacoa -
14. Salto el Limón Waterfall
Body Of Water/WaterfallProvided that you're fit and willing to deal with a long and slippery path, an adventurous guided trip (three hours) to the spectacular Salto...
Provided that you're fit and willing to deal with a long and slippery path, an adventurous guided trip (three hours) to the spectacular Salto el Limón Waterfall is a delight. It's mostly on horseback, but includes walking down rocky, sometimes muddy trails. Horse paths are slippery, and the trek is strenuous. The well-mannered horses take you across two rivers and up mountains to El Limón, the 165-foot waterfall amid luxuriant vegetation. Some snacks and drinks are usually included, but a grilled chicken lunch is only a few more pesos. The outpost for the trek, a local guide service called Santi Rancho, is difficult to find; it's best to arrange a tour from a professional operator like Flora Tours (809/240–5482 flora-tours.net) in Las Terrenas. However, in times of drought, the waterfall is not as interesting.
Santi Rancho, El Limón, Samaná, 32000, Dominican Republic829-923–2792-Santi Rancho -
15. Whale Museum & Nature Center
Museum/GalleryThis tiny museum is dedicated to the mighty mammals of the sea. Samaná Bay is part of one of the largest marine mammal sanctuaries in the world...
This tiny museum is dedicated to the mighty mammals of the sea. Samaná Bay is part of one of the largest marine mammal sanctuaries in the world and is a center for whale-watching during the winter migration of humpback whales. The CEBSE (Center for Conservation and Ecodevelopment of Samaná Bay and its Environment) manages this facility, which features a 40-foot female humpback skeleton. Information in English is available at the entrance.
Av. La Marina, Tiro al Blanco, Samaná, Samaná, 32000, Dominican Republic809-538–2042Sight Details
Rate Includes: RD$100 -
16. Taíno Park
Museum VillageClosed PermanentlyThis unique park tells the story of a lost civilization. The Taíno Indians, the indigenous people of this island, were the inhabitants here...
This unique park tells the story of a lost civilization. The Taíno Indians, the indigenous people of this island, were the inhabitants here some 1,500 years ago…that is, until Christopher Columbus discovered it. And then came the inevitable clash between the Spanish colonials and these peaceful natives. The major exhibits comprise 25 animated scenes with life-size figures depicting the life of the Taínos and their conflict with the Spanish conquistadors. Their costumes came from the best movie-company makers in Europe. The museum has an archaeological exhibition of more than 200 pieces—bone, clay, stone, and wood. If it's raining, the tour is fully roofed. Plan on at least one hour with a personal audio guide (available in five languages).
Before the Arrollo Airport, 15 minutes west of Santa Barbara de Samana, Los Róbalos, Samaná, 32000, Dominican Republic809-729–1514Sight Details
Rate Includes: $15
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