What to do/see in Samana

Thistle · Jan 28, 2008

Hello
We will be visiting Samana in early April when our cruise ship stops there from 9am to 5pm. We are not the type who like to just lay on a beach all day, we prefer to see what the sights are by tour, or to do something fun. Everything I've been able to read so far seems more for those who are staying much longer than just the short time we'll be there.

Are there any tour companies that offer shorter excursions for cruise ship visitors?

Is Samana a safe place to walk around? What sights should one go see while there? Is there a particular restaurant we should go to, and what type of food should we try?

Anyone have any suggestions for what we can do in the short time we have that will give us a good experience in Samana?

Any information that anyone could provide will be very much appreciated. Thank you

cobraboy · Jan 28, 2008

9 to 5 won't give you a whole lot of time to see much of the peninsula.

WebDev · Jan 28, 2008

Thistle said:
Hello
We will be visiting Samana in early April when our cruise ship stops there from 9am to 5pm. We are not the type who like to just lay on a beach all day, we prefer to see what the sights are by tour, or to do something fun. Everything I've been able to read so far seems more for those who are staying much longer than just the short time we'll be there.

Are there any tour companies that offer shorter excursions for cruise ship visitors?

Is Samana a safe place to walk around? What sights should one go see while there? Is there a particular restaurant we should go to, and what type of food should we try?

Anyone have any suggestions for what we can do in the short time we have that will give us a good experience in Samana?

Any information that anyone could provide will be very much appreciated. Thank you

Soon as you arrive at the pier, you will be swarmed by people with offers to sell tours, tour company such as "Extra tours" and "Estilo tours", both with offices on the Malecon, are reputable, IMHO.
The tours offered vary, from tour to Las Galeras and Playa Rincon to "The fountain of youth" trip.
I am sure on board of ship you will offered the same type of tours at much higher price.
To walk half a mile to the new "Pueblo" for shopping, is one other option, don't expect much.
Samana is a safe city, but don't stray from the core area in to the barios, be safe.
Restaurants offering good lunch, IMHO, are "La France" on Malecon and "El Chino" (chinese) up on the hill.

Hope this help,

WebDev

P.S.
Friends of mine got a complimentary "day pass" for GBP Cayacoa, from the ship. They stay a little at the hotel beach, went shopping to the new "Pueblo", back to hotel for late lunch and lazy by the pool till the time to get back to the ship in the afternoon. On your cruise ship, might have the same offer.

Thistle · Jan 29, 2008

Thank you WebDev for your reply.
The ship offers an excursion to the caves and mangroves of Los Haitises national park, a Cayo Levantado Beach escape (their private island) or a trip to Las Terrenas which would be of interest except it is by non air conditioned bus and that would not work well for my traveling companion.

I wish I had more time in Samana, it looks like it's a beautiful place and I'd like to see how life is like for the locals, but with limited time, I'll probably just go with the coves and mangroves excursion.

Thank you again for your information, I do appreciate it.

Thistle

London_Calling · Jan 29, 2008

The Samana Peninsular is beautiful though the town of Samana IMO is a real disappointment - except for the old church (near the Chinese Restaurant) any old buildings left were distroyed in the 1970's and all you have now is a concrete built town with a rather scruffy Malecon. The town is really a base for going somewhere else.

If there is a tour to Las Galeras and Rincon I would go for that as the beach there is beautiful. The option of Los Haitises would also be worth considering.

fightfish · Jan 29, 2008

Go to La Haitisis by boat from the govt dock to see a very beautiful natural estuary. It i a fun ride by go fast across the bay.Other worthwhile tours will be limited by your time frame. In the park just across from the govt dock will be a little touristy art sale going on. If you want to see a bit of ral samana, get a cab to take you to a comida tipica somewhere in town for some mangu, platinos and chicken or fish. Or a trip to Rincon by taxi would show you a little of the penninsula, and a gorgeous beach where you can grab a local lunch as well.

Uzin · Jan 30, 2008

I think the waterfalls at El Limon (sp?) is not too far away for a day trip, you need to go on horse I think, not sure how far from main road it is (I missed out on that as we ran out of time)....

fightfish · Jan 30, 2008

The waterfall at Limon is about a 25 min car ride to the beginning of the ascent by horseback given your limited time. Once on your trusty steed you give another couple/three hours to go up, do some swimming and return down to the road. Basically a half day or better. Just get in a taxi on the Malecon, tell him to take to Salto Limon.

web · Jan 31, 2008

Aren't the Humpback Whales in season now? For my money that would be worth the whole cruise.

jruane44 · Jan 31, 2008

web said:
Aren't the Humpback Whales in season now? For my money that would be worth the whole cruise.

They are now but I dont think they are in the first week of April.

fightfish · Jan 31, 2008

yeah, by the first week in April they have normally moved on.
It is pretty awesome watching the whales in Saman Bay up close. While most people tune in to the Discovery Channel one can be right there. And that has always been a great draw for me to this island country, the difference between doing it and watching it.

Funnyyale26 · Jan 31, 2008

These are some of Samana's attractions...

Los Haitises

Laguna del diablo

Playa Fronton

The fresh water river of Playa Rincon, Ca?o frio

Las Galeras

Samana Bay

Funnyyale26 · Jan 31, 2008

More of Samana

Landscape of Cordillera Oriental

Humpack whale show in Samana Bay

Punta Lirio, Samana

Random Shots

Panoramica, Playa Rincon, one of the most beautiful beaches in all of DR

Playa Rincon

Salto del limon

Funnyyale26 · Jan 31, 2008

More of Salto del Limon

fightfish · Feb 1, 2008

Wonderful photos. Thanks very much!!

ninapup · Feb 1, 2008

Funnyvale,
Where is the beautifuil waterfall under random shots? Can you drive to it, how long a walk? We know most of the other places but are captivated by this picture.
Thanks. Beautiful shots.

fightfish · Feb 2, 2008

I am guessing the random waterfall is on the Playa Valle road. Am I correct?

Renate · Feb 4, 2008

These photos are really amazing!!
We'll stay in Samana end of february for 2 weeks. Our guided tour includes a trip to the waterfall "El Zumbador". Any idea where it is?

dahlia · Feb 5, 2008

Congratulation for your beautiful picures!
Could you tel me where the laguno del diablo is located???? How do we get there???By quad?
Thanks!

jonvelas · Jun 20, 2011

What to DO / What to SEE in Samana - Plenty ! One vacation is not enough !

Yes, there is so much to see and do in Samana, on the Peninsula and in the Bay.

All these places mentioned in the previous posts, go out and discover them : Playa Rincon, Los Haitises Park, Waterfall Limon, Cascada Lulu, Playa el Valle, Playa Fronton, Whale Watching, and do not forget the spectacular small island of Cayo Levantado.

One vacation is not enough to see everything...

Find a lot of information at the local website of the town of Samana :
Go Samana | Samana, Dominican Republic

Truly enjoy your many discoveries, we live here and we surely do !

What to do/see in Samana

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