6 Best Sights in Samana Peninsula, Dominican Republic

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, called 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: sunset; swimming; walking; kitesurfing.

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; kitesurfing.

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; kitesurfing.

Playa Las Terrenas is the most crowded of all the peninsula's beaches. As you approach the ocean from the town of Las Terrenas, the road forks. 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. 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.

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. Across the road, depending on where you are, there are restrooms and food and drink; otherwise, not. Amenities: none. Best for: kitesurfing; swimming; walking.

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 Limón Excursiones, can be reached by phone in Las Terrenas.