Located in the north of the Dominican Republic is the stunning Samana Bay. Despite being a lesser known destination, it is nowadays gaining more and more popularity among travellers. Like its companions Santo Domingo or Punta Cana, this bay is a paradise of white sands and turquoise waters.
However, there is much more to do in Samana Bay than just enjoy the sun and sea. With stunning, lush vegetation, you can enjoy some nature’s of the most beautiful scenery in the world. You can opt for an idyllic mix of ocean-side relaxation, all-inclusive resorts, and excursions into the natural world that will leave you speechless. If you want to find out more about this destination, keep reading this post!
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Things to see in Samana Bay
Cayo Levantado
Cayo Levantado is probably the most symbolic spot in Bahía de Samaná. This small islet has some of the most beautiful beaches in the whole country, with a typical tropical paradise landscape, crystal clear waters and vast white sand.
To get to Cayo Levantado, you have to go by boat. The popular option is to book an excursion to Parque de los Haitises, as the trip ends with a stop at this cay, but you can also do a trip to these beaches alone. It’s the perfect place to enjoy a relaxing day under the palm trees and by the sea. It is also a top spot for snorkelling due to the incredible variety of marine wildlife you can find under its waters. Whether you are a fan of diving or not, you can’t leave Cayo Levantado without trying this adventure!
Visit Las Terrenas
Las Terrenas is a small municipality in the northeast of the Dominican Republic, located on Samana Bay. This place is mainly famous for being the area with the most hotels the most famous beaches on the coast.
Its striking white sandy beaches and turquoise waters attract most travellers, who come to this part of the bay for a more relaxed and peaceful trip. Here you will also find a lovely little fishing village, where you can find a wide variety of services such as bars, restaurants and shops. This is why in Las Terrenas you can enjoy the best typical Dominican atmosphere. It is a destination you cannot miss on your trip to the Bay of Samana!
Los Haitises Park
Los Haitises Park is a National Park of the Dominican Republic and is the largest and most impressive park in the country. It covers an massive area of up to 1600 square kilometres, full of mountains, mangroves, islets and even caves.
To get there, you can book a boat tour from Santa Barbara de Samaná – the trip takes about 30 minutes. Once there, you can discover all the natural wonders of the park: its mangrove forests, its famous islets, among which you cannot miss the Pájaro Key, and finally, the famous Taino Caves. Inside the caves you can see numerous pictographs made by the aborigines of the area. Don’t hesitate to book your excursion to the Haitises Park and enjoy nature that is sure to leave you speechless.
Discover the El Limón Waterfall
The Salto del Limón is one of the most visited and impressive places to see in the Bay of Samaná. It is located in a community of the same name. The imposing waterfall reaches a height of 50 metres, ending in a beautiful natural pool.
It is no surprise that it is considered the most beautiful waterfall in the Dominican Republic. To get there, you can either walk or take a donkey ride. The journey takes approximately 50 minutes, but it won’t feel long at all, as along the way you’ll be able to admire the spectacular natural beauty of your surroundings. Once there, you can sit back and enjoy the scenery or, if you prefer, take a dip in the water – a truly unique experience!
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The Bridges of Samana
The Samaná Bridges are one of the most symbolic features of Samaná Bay. At 700 metres in length, their function is to facilitate communication between the cays. This group of bridges create a real postcard worthy view.
It is possible to access these bridges from the boardwalk that surrounds the Bay of Santa Bárbara de Samaná. You can cross these bridges to go from Cayo Linares to Cayo Vigia. We recommend doing this excursion at sunset, so you can stop to watch the sun seting over the ocean. You can also observe a large number of marine wildlife from the bridge itself, including starfish and pufferfish. Quite the adventure!
Visit Santa Bárbara de Samaná
Santa Bárbara de Samaná is the capital of the province. Although it can be visited in just one day, there are plenty of things to do in this beautiful coastal town. It is also the ideal place to learn more about Dominican culture and traditions.
This small town is mainly famous for its agriculture, tourism and fishing. Situated on a beautiful seafront, you can take long walks along the water’s edge. You will come across many viewpoints where you can admire the whole bay, as well as different bridges that serve as access to certain islands. Another place you cannot miss on your visit to Santa Bárbara de Samaná is the church of La Churcha, the most important religious building in the city. Don’t forget to bring your camera.
Las Galeras
Las Galeras is a small village located 28 kilometres northeast of Samaná. There you can get to know the most authentic Dominican village, seen especially in its curious architecture and atmosphere.
This district is especially known for having some of the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean, the most important of which are Playa Rincón and Playa la Playita. However, Las Galeras also offers other equally interesting natural sites. We recommend a trip to Boca del Diablo, an impressive set of geological formations, and also a trip to La Hondonada, where you will find a beautiful natural arch with a cliff where you can look out over the ocean.
Whale watching
One of the main activities you can’t miss on your trip to Samana Bay is a boat trip to enjoy humpback whale watching. It’s not surprising considering that Samana is one of the largest sanctuaries for these impressive animals.
You can do this activity if you travel to the bay from January to March, which is the time of year the whales are most commonly seen. You can watch the whales from a very short distance, on a ferry or a boat; these animals are more than used to the presence of tourists. It’s the perfect way to enjoy a completely unique experience, especially if you’re travelling with children. You will all be amazed.
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Best beaches of Samana Bay
Playa El Valle
Playa El Valle is just 12 kilometres from Samaná, and has probably the most beautiful scenery of all. In addition to its impeccably clean waters, this beach is surrounded by mountains and trees, which makes for a truly spectacular sight.
In the past, getting to this beach was really difficult, but thanks to the new paved road that connects to the city, this problem has been solved. You can spend a great day in an idyllic environment and, if you wish, you can even camp in this area. There are a number of restaurants and bars where you can enjoy lunch or dinner with a dreamlike view. What are you waiting for?
Playa Rincón
Rincón Beach is considered one of the most impressive beaches not only in the Dominican Republic, but in the whole world. You can enjoy up to 3 kilometres of white sand meeting the crystal clear waters. A scene worthy of a movie.
Despite its fame, it is not an excessively crowded beach, so you can enjoy unbeatable tranquillity in a true paradise. You can also find a series of beach bars and restaurants where you can try some of the most typical Dominican dishes, mainly made of fish or seafood. It is important to bear in mind that the access road is quite muddy, so we recommend renting a buggy or car to get there. You will have a dream day!
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What to see in Samana Bay in 2 days
- Visit Cayo Levantado
- Go to El Limón Waterfall
- Discover the village of Las Galeras
- Walk along the Samaná Bridges
- Go for a swi at Playa El Valle
What to see in Samana Bay in 4 days
- Explore Santa Bárbara de Samaná
- Spend the day at Playa Rincón
- Book a whale watching trip
- Visit the Los Haitises Park
- Go to Las Terrenas
Tips for a trip to Samana Bay
- Wear enough sunscreen
- Always carry cash
- Wear good hiking shoes
- Make sure you find good accommodation
Frequently Asked Questions
To get to the bridges of Samaná, you have to cross behind the Hotel Cotubanama Samaná. If you don’t want to go on them, you can simply view them from the Malecón.
The best time to travel to Samana Bay is from January to April, when rainfall is lower and temperatures are not too high.
The currency used in the Dominican Republic is the Dominican peso. One Dominican peso is equivalent to €0.015.
There are several typical dishes that you can try in Samaná, where the main ingredient is coconut. Most meals are made from fish or seafood cooked with coconut oil or coconut milk, giving it a completely unique flavour.
Here are some of the best places to try typical Dominican food:
– At Pica Pollo La Fé you can taste the best chicken in the Bay of Samaná, usually accompanied by an ideal combination of yucca and fried plantain – and at an exceptional price!
– If you are looking for a more refined meal, don’t hesitate to visit the Orquídea Gourmet Restaurant, where you can enjoy delicate French dishes in a very elegant setting.
– If you want to try the local seafood, we recommend the Restaurante Típico Rubí, located in Playa Rincón. Here you can enjoy wonderful grilled fish and seafood.
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