Samaná

Samaná is the name of a 990 square kilometer peninsula in the northeastern part of the Dominican Republic. The region was named for the provincial capital of the same name. In the 18th century, it was impossible to reach Samaná peninsula without crossing a body of water. Today, there is a connection; and Samaná has remained ensconced in a world of its own.

Without doubt, the peninsula is one of the nicest spots of the Dominican Republic: rolling hills with coconut groves, gently sloping towards the sea, bays with splendidly white sand appear in between. In the 1930s and even in the post-World War II era, the place carved a niche for itself as a tourist favorite spot with its numerous hotels, beaches and resorts.

Samana is a busy port city from where one can take boat trips to the “island of dreams” (Cayo Levantado), famous for its Caribbean flair. The widely known movie and TV commercial of rum-maker Bacardi is believed to have been shot there. The island, with its solitary hotel, offers wide grass fields, gorgeous sandy beaches and an amazing view of the turquoise-colored bay. Snorkelers can catch a glance of countless fish romping about in the crystal-clear water.

Every year, from the mid-January to March, a couple hundred humpback whales mend their way from the Arctic Ocean to Samaná Bay to mate and reproduce. The males stay farther out and have fun jumping high out of the water all the way and splashing on their on their backs. Please do consider, however, that a whale-watching cruise by boat can put the animals under quite some stress. The tourist interested in preserving wildlife should only trust experienced and considerate boat captains who offer environmentally-conscious trips.