Samaná Excursion
Loading available options...
Overview
Your trip to Punta Cana should always include a visit to the incredible town of Santa Barbara de Samaná . Located in the north of the Dominican Republic, on Samaná Bay, Samaná is known for its turquoise, crystal-clear waters , lined with palm trees and lush jungle that almost reach the shoreline, making it the perfect place for a day of adventure.
Samaná is one of the 32 provinces that make up the Dominican Republic , and one that most impresses travelers with its landscapes. Being a peninsula, it is surrounded by the Caribbean Sea , bordering the provinces of Monte Plata, María Trinidad Sánchez, and Duarte to the west.
Its wild nature, beaches, and authentic culture have made it a destination with a well-developed tourism infrastructure, offering travelers a wide range of options to suit their needs. The main tourist towns in the area are Samaná, Las Terrenas, and Las Galeras.
Located 245 kilometers from the capital, Santo Domingo, Samaná is a region rich in marble, its main industry besides tourism. This city was once a fishing village that grew rapidly with the arrival of tourism.
It boasts a large cruise port, as well as an international airport inaugurated in 2007. The resorts, though few, are of high quality, and many offer all-inclusive packages. Five-star hotels such as the Bahia Principe Samaná, the Bahia Principe Cayaoca, and the Bahia Principe Cayo Levantado are the best for enjoying a luxurious experience.
Why can't you miss this excursion?
There are 2 very clear reasons why you can’t miss this excursion to Samaná, and that is that we will take a tour of the main tourist attractions of this region .
In Samaná Bay, you can see the beautiful Bacardi Island , known worldwide for being the place where a commercial for the famous rum brand was filmed.
The other important point of the excursion is Limón waterfall , a natural monument lost in the middle of the jungle of the Samaná province.
What to see in Samaná?
Samaná boasts many tourist attractions. One of them is Cayo Levantado , a small island in the northeast of Samaná Bay with spectacular white-sand beaches. Cascada Limón , nestled in a natural forest, is the perfect place to relax to the sound of cascading water.
Perhaps the most important event in Samaná is that it’s the perfect place for humpback whale watching , as this species comes to the bay during mating season , which usually coincides with winter on the island. During this natural spectacle, visitors can get within a few meters of the whales to photograph them. This tour is only available from mid-January through March and you can book it here .
Other places you can see include: Los Haitises National Park, Las Terrenas Beach, Las Galeras, El Portillo, Playa Bonita, Playa Coson, Playa Frontón, Rincón de Las Galeras,…
Exploring the Samaná Peninsula: Limón Waterfall
We continue heading north in the bay to reach the Samaná peninsula .
There are many charming places in this area, such as the beaches that border Las Terrenas.
But we want adventure, and so we will search among the vegetation for one of the region’s gems: the Limón waterfall.
The hiking trail takes approximately two hours, starting from the town of El Rancho. Along the way, you can purchase Dominican products such as coffee, cacao, rum, or even local handicrafts.
Once you arrive at Limón waterfall , you can enjoy the beauty of the 3 waterfalls that fill a natural pool where, if you dare, you can take a refreshing bath.
Bacardi Island
After lunch, our catamaran route through the waters of Samaná Bay will begin.
Our reference point in this place is Bacardi Island, so named because an advertisement for the famous rum brand was filmed here.
Not only will you see this side, but we will also delve into the depths of Cayo Levantado , the true name of this island.
Inside, a perfect jungle awaits , ideal for getting lost and disconnecting from everything . Back on the coast, you can relax on its fine golden sand beaches and enter the crystal-clear waters that bathe this part of the Caribbean .
In this natural setting we’ve just discovered, you’ll likely be able to take the best photos of your Dominican Republic vacation . It will be an unforgettable memory.
Las Terrenas
In the 1970s, Las Terrenas was a small village of fishermen , farmers, and beekeepers who lived in their small houses without running water or electricity, completely isolated . In 1975, a French businessman arrived and decided to open the Tropic Banana Hotel. From that moment on, Las Terrenas became known worldwide, beginning the development of a tourist infrastructure that continues to thrive today.
Located in the northern part of the Samaná Mountains, its cream-colored sandy beaches are its main tourist attraction , where you can spend an incredible day sipping a mojito and listening to local music. Its crystal-clear waters are perfect for snorkeling, photography, water sports, or simply swimming and sunbathing.
The Church
La Churcha is a 19th-century wooden church , built by freed African American slaves who migrated to Samaná after being offered free land to farm. Its name is derived from the English word ” church .”
Itinerary
6:50 am – Pick-up from your hotel to the meeting point . Please note that the departure time may vary depending on your hotel.
7:50 am – Departure from the meeting point by bus . Get comfortable as the journey takes more than 1 hour.
9:50 a.m. – After a light breakfast, we boarded a catamaran from the port of La Cañita (Sabaná de la Mar) bound for Samaná Bay. This journey takes a little over 30 minutes.
- 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.
10:30 a.m. – Arrival at the port of Samaná, where we will board our safari truck to discover all the secrets of this province. We will head towards the mountains, where we will stop at a typical Dominican house . Here we can see how products such as coffee, cacao, chocolate, mama juana, and tobacco are made.
- Alcázar de Colón or Viceroyal Palace of Don Diego Colón.
- Cathedral of Saint Mary.
- Amber Museum.
- Rum Museum.
- Museum of the Royal Houses.
We continue our route up the mountain to reach " El Rancho, " where we mount horses to cross the forest towards Cascada el Limón (Limón Waterfall). Here, we will enjoy a spectacular landscape and have the opportunity to swim in its waters.
Next, we'll mount our horses and head towards "El Rancho". From there, we'll travel in our safari truck to the restaurant for a typical Dominican buffet lunch .
After lunch, we'll board our catamaran, which will take us to enjoy spectacular scenery. We'll arrive at Bacardi Island, also known as Cayo Levantado, a place that will leave you speechless. We'll spend over an hour here, taking in the beauty of this unique location.
5:00 pm – End of the tour. We will return you to your hotel or resort in our transport.
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: 10 hours
- Departure time: 06:50 am
- Hotel pickup
- Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday
