Saona with Mano Juan
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Overview
In the southeasternmost part of the Dominican Republic lies one of those earthly paradises that can only be visited once in a lifetime: Saona Island. Part of the East National Park , it boasts unparalleled natural beauty , where you can enjoy mangrove landscapes , coral reefs , and beaches like La Palmilla , with its incredible golden sand and swaying palm trees of the Aracanaceae family .
Designed especially for tourists, this tour will allow you to spend more time on the island enjoying a more complete adventure . The sites we'll visit on this excursion include the fishing village of Mano Juan, Canto de la Playa, and its coral reefs . You'll also enjoy a private lunch overlooking the sea, prepared exclusively for you and your family, friends, or partner.
Then, at Canto de la Playa , you'll enjoy one of the most beautiful beaches in the Dominican Republic. Catamarans can't reach this spot, so we guarantee a truly authentic experience, far removed from the tourist crowds. You can also spend time at the exotic Los Flamencos beach , an incredible place to explore its underwater world.
Snorkeling is undoubtedly another highlight of a visit to Saona Island, as you will enjoy crystal and calm waters where fish and diverse marine life are abundant.
Why can't you miss this excursion?
This tour is a must if you want to experience the way of life on a small Caribbean island .
Beyond the stunning landscapes of Saona Island, in Mano Juan you can see a fishing community whose lives are dedicated to the sea. They arrived there in the 1940s, when Leónidas Trujillo decided the island should be inhabited to prevent it from being controlled by outside forces.
History and curiosities of Saona Island
Saona Island is not only a beautiful natural place, but it also has a very interesting history . For the Taíno, the island’s indigenous inhabitants, it was called Adamanay. It was later, with the arrival of Christopher Columbus, that the island came to be called Bella Savonesa in honor of Michele da Cuneo, a native of the city of Savona, Italy.
Here you’ll also find the famous Cotubanamá cave , where the Taíno chief of the same name was executed. Today it’s another of the island’s tourist attractions.
Saona is a picture-perfect island, and in the literal sense of the word. Some scenes from Pirates of the Caribbean were filmed here . But if one film forever marked Saona Island, it was Blue Lagoon . Thanks to its location, thousands of people discovered Saona Island through the big screen.
Itinerary
07:30 – Pick-up from your hotel to Altos de Chavón.
10:00 - We arrive at the meeting point located on the Chavón River, very close to La Romana, where the boat departs for Saona Island. We will go directly to the village of Mano Juan to visit it.
Afterwards you can have lunch in a private place in Mano Juan facing the sea.
- Tres Ojos National Park: in its cave you will find one of the most important tourist destinations in the park, the freshwater lake that lies inside .
- Columbus Lighthouse: monument and museum dedicated to the figure of Christopher Columbus , discoverer of the New World.
- Colonial City: historic and leisure center of Santo Domingo.
After lunch, we'll head to Canto de la Playa where, accompanied by professional guides, you'll snorkel and enjoy the beauty of the Dominican seabed. On the way back to Bayahibe, we'll stop at the natural pool of Cotubanamá for you to enjoy snorkeling alongside the famous starfish .
- Alcázar de Colón or Viceroyal Palace of Don Diego Colón.
- Cathedral of Saint Mary.
- Amber Museum.
- Rum Museum.
- Museum of the Royal Houses.
16:00 - End of the excursion.
Frequently asked questions
Recommendations for visiting Samaná
Sunscreen to protect your skin from the sun's rays.
Comfortable shoes .
Swimwear .
A beach towel .
Sunglasses to protect your eyes from the sun's rays.
Cash in case you want to buy any souvenirs.
Who can book this tour?
All adults aged 12 and over.
All children aged between 4 and 11 years .
Pregnant women , unlike on other excursions, will be able to participate in the activities offered on this tour.
Elderly people or those with reduced mobility must be accompanied by someone who ensures their safety and helps them on the excursion routes.
Is there a possibility of free tour cancellation?
Highlights
- Excursion duration: 8 hours
- Departure time: 7:30 am
- Hotel pickup
- Mondays and Fridays
