Tourism Information

Samana, Dominican Republic, Tourism Information

Sánchez is the first town found on the north highway and is characterized by its small, Victorian houses. It was formerly an important commercial port connected to La Vega through a railroad. Currently, it is a fishing town that wakens with the movements of net-aided shrimp fishing.

Las Terrenas is the first beach to be found towards the north of Sánchez, passing through the mountainous peninsula of Samana. It is through here that access is gained to Portillo and El Limon, famous for its impressive cliff. Portillo has a local airport. A very particular European-based tourism has developed here, where one can find very comfortable small hotels, villas and summer cabins, as well as restaurants almost within the waters, a tradition in the old coastal towns.

El Esterillo and Punta de los Casquillos are rocky hills above the coast that form watering spots, small beaches and coves, which are populated by a wildlife of dreams and fantasy.

El Limón Puerto Escondido is plain land over adjacent cliffs and begins in Limon Key, where there are small ranches with cattle and minor fruits, bordered by coconut trees.

Rincón Bay is formed by the two keys of Cabrón and Samaná, its shape similar to the figure made by one's thumb and index finger when put in a pinching position.

Las Galeras is a fishing town next to an extensive white sanded beach with small hotels. It has the Galeras Caves and the Cabo Samana Caves, which are filled with pictographs.

Monte Diablo, Monte Pan de Azúcar and Monte Mesa are found at the end of the Septentrional Sierra, which crosses through the north coast and has important marble mines in Samana.

The Samaná Bay has large fishing and tourism appeal due to its islets or keys and immense beaches. Whales can be watched at the mouth of the bay between November and March. Another of its attractions is a visit to the keys in Los Haitises National Park, with its exotic vegetation, fauna and calm waters.

The mouth of the Yuna River is important due to its extensive groves and its condition as a fishing area. Los Haitises National Park is found to the south.

General Information

Samaná is the most exotic province in the island. Its extensive coconut trees and palms cover the landscape.

The songs of birds are mixed with that of men and women who busily roam while they cultivate minor fruits, fish and hunt at the beat of the Bamboulá, a native rhythm made from the blend of songs brought by the blacks, Anglo Saxons, French and Spanish that settled in the area.

The weather is very humid, good in the winter and bad in the summer, with a natural forest vegetation almost totally gone or substituted by coconut or pasture land. The groves are abundant in the Bay and in the North coast of the peninsula. This area is highly valued for its fauna, the presence of whales in the bay, as well as seals, turtles, and a variety of bird species.

There is a proposal that wishes to declare the area as a "Biosphere Reserve" due to its high ecological value. It is easy to visit Los Haitises National Park and the Humpbacked Whales in the Banco de la Palta Sanctuary from Samana.

Beaches:
- Bonita
- Cayo Levantado
- El Portillo
- Las Galeras
- Las Terrenas
- Los Pescadores
- Playuela
- Rincón