Welcome to our site dedicated to Samana, Dominican Republic

The landscapes are magnificent and what is more beautiful than palm trees on the beach! The province of Samana is located on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean, north-east of the Dominican Republic. Its capital is Santa Bárbara de Samaná, just minutes away from the hotel Gran Bahia Principe Cayacoa. Samana is a recent tourist hub of the Dominican Republic. There are several roads under construction (or in renovation) to improve transfers between airport and hotels.

The tourist industry in Samana (with its beautiful beaches) will expand in years to go. There are several development underway, including a luxury hotel (under construction) located near the Gran Bahia Principe El Portillo (Las Terrenas). This region of Samaná is well-known for Kite-surfers. They gather in Las Terrenas to enjoy the Atlantic winds. It is possible to do this activity ($), but you need to go to the village of Las Terrenas to book it.

The Gran Bahia Principe hotel chain is well represented in Samana, they have four hotels, including the Gran Bahia Principe Cayo Levantado, a luxurious 5-star hotel located on the small island of Cayo Levantado in Samana Bay. This island is divided between a public beach and the private area of the hotel. A boat transfer provides the connection between the island and the marina at Simi Baez.

As we were there for only one week, we've come a long way to visit (and stay) at the « known » hotels of the province, as well as the beautiful beaches, the most popular one is Playa Rincon in the region of Las Galeras. Samana is paradise for ecotourism lovers. Excursions prices range from 75 to $150 USD. We did the tour of the Parque Nacional Los Haitises, a boat trip to admire the landscape which is often compared to Halong Bay in Vietnam. A tour that allows us to follow in the footsteps of the first inhabitants of the region, the Taino Indians, now all gone as the conquistadors decimated the people (slavery and diseases). Another excursion very popular, only if you plan to visit this region in winter, the observation of the humpback whales (from January to March).

IMPORTANT! Holy Week is an important religious holiday in the Dominican Republic. During this week, motorized water sports who are offered by independent dealers are not allowed. Alcohol is available only on the hotel's site. Be advised!

The Samana Peninsula is crossed by the Cordillera de Samaná, a chain of mountains whose rounded peaks reaching in some cases more than 500 m. Plunging sharply in several places in the blue waters of the ocean or the Bahia de Samana. These mountains are making outstanding contributions to the charm of the region. Moreover, their slopes are home to an astonishing vegetation both for its luxuriance and in its variety. There are also beautiful white sand beaches that stretch sometimes for several kilometers along the north and south coasts of the peninsula and islands bordering some nearby. Samana looks much more modern and a more airy than most other Dominican cities. Despite its ancient origins, almost all the cities was built in the decades following the devastating fire that ravaged in 1946. (source: transat)

This site contains useful information to prepare your next trip to this province of the Dominican Republic. We have almost a thousand pictures online of our trip in 2010. Hoping that our site will make you want to visit this beautiful region that is known to be developing for tourism in the years to come. Enjoy it now.

Enjoy your visit !

Normand and Lily
destilino.com