Samaná

Travel Guide

Photo provided by Ministry of Tourism of the Dominican Republic
Samana which includes a sandy beach, a sunset and tropical scenes
Las Terrenas which includes food
Rincon Beach featuring tropical scenes and general coastal views
Samana
Delight in the simple charm of this port town that attracts tourists with a picturesque coastline and forests to be explored on horseback or by zip line.

Get in touch with the Dominican Republic’s natural offerings in the small seaside town of Samana. Stroll pristine beaches, explore forests or go boating out into the bay. 

Begin each day along the Samana El Malecon, the town’s oceanfront promenade. Here you’ll find many of the town’s best restaurants and cafés for a satisfying breakfast, lunch or dinner by the bay. 

Just a few minutes walk from downtown Samana, the Cayacoa Beach attracts hundreds of visitors on hot days. To experience one of the region’s prettiest beaches, buy a ticket for the boat from the Samana port to Cayo Levantatdo. This peaceful beach sits on an island in the bay and offers incredible views of the Dominican coastline. 

Take a walk along Samana’s iconic Los Puentes, otherwise known as the “bridges to nowhere.” This 0.8-mile (1.3-kilometer) stretch of walkway was once intended to lead to a casino, but now serves as a great place to sit on a bench and watch the sun set over the island of Cayo Vigia. 

Some of the region’s best features are outside the town limits. Take scenic daytrips to the mangrove swamps of Los Haitises National Park and spot dolphins in the San Lorenzo Bay. Hire a guide and ride on horseback to the superb El Limon Waterfalls. Samana’s popular zip-line tours take you on exhilarating rides over the lush forestland, with some lines descending 40 stories. 

When the sun goes down, return to El Malecon, where bars, discos and outdoor terraces provide drinks and entertainment. 

Samana is a town that provides all the necessities for a modern traveler. Enjoy the convenience of a supermarket, four banks and good telephone and internet coverage. An international airport also serves the town and is about 15 minutes away. Rent a car to get around outside Samana.

Where to stay in Samaná

Samana showing a bay or harbor, tropical scenes and boating

Samaná Centro

While there might not be top attractions in Samaná Centro, you can explore the larger area and discover places like Samana Bay and Cayo Levantado Beach.

Samaná Centro
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María Luisa

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in María Luisa and surrounding area, you can visit Samana Bay and Cayo Levantado Beach.

María Luisa
The town of Samana was small but fun to explore. Crossing the bridge to nowhere is a must!

Barrio New York

While there might not be top attractions in Barrio New York, you can explore the larger area and discover places like Samana Bay and Cayo Levantado Beach.

Barrio New York
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Doncel

While Doncel might not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Samana Bay and Samana Zipline.

Doncel
Whale watching with Whale Samana was an amazing experience! We spent 4 hours and saw at least 10 whales. We even got to see a whale breach right in front of us! Really nice boat and worth the money. The best time of the year to go is January - March. For an extra $5 they will drop you off at the island Cayo Levantado for the afternoon. Also beautiful!

Barrio La Fortaleza Vieja

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in Barrio La Fortaleza Vieja and surrounding area, you can visit Samana Bay and Cayo Levantado Beach.

Barrio La Fortaleza Vieja
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Villa Salma

While Villa Salma might not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Samana Bay and Cayo Levantado Beach.

Villa Salma
Bahia Principe Grand Samana - Adults Only
Bahia Principe Grand Samana - Adults Only
4.5 out of 5
carretera Samana, Las Galeras, s/n, Los Cacaos, Samaná
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Samaná. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (487 reviews)
"We had a great time at Bahia Principe Grand Samana. We liked that the resort is small and intimate, food was decent for an all-inclusive and staff was friendly. Resort is a bit old but well maintained and clean overall. On the other end, we found the beach being rather small, not enough chairs and ..."

Reviewed on Feb 10, 2025

Bahia Principe Grand Samana - Adults Only
Wyndham Alltra Samana All-Inclusive Resort
Wyndham Alltra Samana All-Inclusive Resort
3 out of 5
Playa Las Galeras, Las Galeras, Samana
The price is P12,443 per night from 9 Mar to 10 Mar
P12,443
P14,683 total
includes taxes & fees
Mar 9 - Mar 10
Stay at this 3-star beach property in Samaná. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 3 outdoor pools. Popular attractions Rincon Beach and Playa Grande are located ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (76 reviews)
"Great modern boho chic establishment and services. Loved the variety in food selections and the peaceful ambience. I highly recommend and will definitely revisit again!"

Reviewed on Feb 5, 2025

Wyndham Alltra Samana All-Inclusive Resort
Cayo Levantado Resort - All Inclusive
Cayo Levantado Resort - All Inclusive
5 out of 5
Isla De Cayo Levantado, Samaná, Samana
The price is P50,522 per night from 17 Feb to 18 Feb
P50,522
P50,522 total
includes taxes & fees
Feb 17 - Feb 18
Stay at this 5-star luxury property in Samaná. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (134 reviews)
"Everything is perfect. As simple as that"

Reviewed on Feb 11, 2025

Cayo Levantado Resort - All Inclusive
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Xeliter Vista Mare - Free WiFi, Samaná
Xeliter Vista Mare - Free WiFi, Samaná
3.5 out of 5
Los Cacaos, Samaná, Samana
Stay at this 3.5-star beach aparthotel in Samaná. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 2 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (276 reviews)
Beautiful views
"Excellent place to relax. Good views and food. Only negative that your balcony is close to your neighbors and there is no privacy. Other than that everything was great."

Reviewed on Oct 28, 2024

Xeliter Vista Mare - Free WiFi, Samaná
Las Mariposas
Las Mariposas
3 out of 5
Las Galeras Samaná, Las Galeras, Samaná
Stay at this 3-star vacation home in Samaná. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Popular attractions Playa Grande and La Playita Beach ...
9/10 Wonderful! (4 reviews)
"The property is beautiful, flowers and gardens, we had trouble sleeping, since there is no air conditioning, we had fans going, they are noisy and we had no wifi in the room"

Reviewed on Nov 3, 2024

Las Mariposas
El Pelicano Apart-Hotel
El Pelicano Apart-Hotel
3 out of 5
Calle Jimmy Hendrix, behind Hotel Villa Serena, Las Galeras
Stay at this 3-star apartment in Samaná. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and an airport shuttle (surcharge). Popular attractions Rincon Beach and La Playita Beach ...
9/10 Wonderful! (45 reviews)
"My family and I loved this property location, we booked for 3 nights and went back for the rest of out 8 days trip. we will go back next year."

Reviewed on Sep 3, 2024

El Pelicano Apart-Hotel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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