Peninsula Provides Escape From Reality
Located in the far northeast of the island
is the quaint peninsula of Samaná. Especially popular with
ecotourists and honeymooners, this quieter part of the
Dominican Republic is beautiful beyond words. Whether visitors
come to see the humpback whales that migrate here every
winter, experience its place in history (at one time it was a
lair for pillaging pirates) or simply get away from the crowds
and relax among its plentiful waterfalls or empty beaches,
Samaná is an unparalleled delight.
Getting There
The Arroyo Barril International Airport serves the
peninsula of Samaná. As an alternative, visitors can fly into
the Gregorio Luperón International Airport near Puerto
Plata or the Las Americas International Airport in
Santo Domingo and drive to their destination. El Catey
Airport is under construction near Samaná and is
projected to open in 2006.
Where to Stay
Many visitors to this part of the Dominican Republic find
accommodations in Las Terrenas, located about midway
across the peninsula of Samana. Primarily run by French
expatriots, this resort town has a variety of all-inclusive
resorts and smaller boutique properties from which visitors
can choose.
Another option for accommodations can be found on the very
tip of the peninsula in the town of Las Galeras. Here,
tourists can choose from an all-inclusive resort and several
smaller, more intimate hotels and inns. This remote town is
very popular with honeymooners because of its distant location
and overall serene scene.
What to Do
From January to March, more than 5,000 humpback whales
spend their winters breeding in the warm waters of Samana
Bay. Many operators offer cruises during this time of the
year and practically guarantee sightings. Most excursions
depart from the town of Samaná and use 50-foot boats, which
offer bathrooms, snacks and equipment to listen to the sounds
of the whales.
Great beaches in the area include Cozón Beach, popular
with monoboarders and windsurfers; Rincón, an isolated
three-mile-long beach reached by boat from Las Galeras and
ranked by Condé Nast Traveler as one of the world's 10 best; Playa
Bonita, a quiet, eight-mile, white-sand beach; and the
tranquil turquoise waters of Portillo and Del Valle.
Visitors can also explore mountain waterfalls and lush
rainforests. For example, Salto de Limón is considered
one of the most spectacular cascades in the region, with its
150-foot drop into a large swimming hole. While accessible by
foot, most people opt for a lovely horseback ride here.
A quick $20 (one-way) ferry ride brings visitors to Cayo
Levantado, a coconut palm-lined island that was featured
in Bacardi Rum ads from the 1970s. Just south of the
peninsula, the Parque Nacional Los Haitises offers 83
square miles of mangrove swamp and more than 100 species of
birds as well as caves with pre-Columbian Taino art.
