Need help--how to get to Cayo Levantado w/o using ships tender

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ageorge

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Jul 17, 2009
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we are sailing on NCL in Oct. and would like to go to Cayo Levantado. Ship excursion is $50 pp but that only includes tender to and from. We have a group of 10 so we'd love to book something ourselves. No one speaks Spanish so just approaching someone in Samana and trying to communicate what we want is a little shakey. Can anyone recommend someone we could pre-book with to take us to and from Cayo Levantado from Samana. Hate thought of paying NCl $500 for a tender ride!
Thanks!
Anne
 
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toursamanawithterry

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Jan 30, 2009
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You can only go to Cayo on an NCL tender. NCL has a deal with the Dom. Rep. government to not allow anyone on Cayo if they are from the cruise ship unless it is through the ship. In fact I went to Cayo on a cruiseship day once and there was a policeman guarding the dock and he wanted proof that I was not on the cruise ship. So they take it pretty seriously if you try to make it over on your own. For $50 a person you can get some awesome excursions to some other beautiful places on the mainland and have food and drinks included. I have some suggestions if you are interested. But if you are dead set on Cayo, believe me you can only do it through NCL, they have made sure of that.
 
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pennstate94

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Aug 22, 2009
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Terry,
My husband and I will be in Samana the week of Nov. 14 on the NCL Pearl and would be interested in hearing your suggestions for how to spend the day. We're not really interested in visiting Cayo Levantado and are looking for more unique experiences. Let me know what your prices are and whether you have a minimum group size for a tour.
 
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Cdncpl

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Oct 31, 2007
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pennstate94 said:
Terry,
My husband and I will be in Samana the week of Nov. 14 on the NCL Pearl and would be interested in hearing your suggestions for how to spend the day. We're not really interested in visiting Cayo Levantado and are looking for more unique experiences. Let me know what your prices are and whether you have a minimum group size for a tour.
Click to expand...

There are several options available for a day trip from the cruise ships in Samana. If you get a group, or arrange a taxi and head to Las Galeras... you can get a small boat to Playa Rincon or Playa Fronton. Or simply enjoy lunch and drinks on an undeveloped beach in Las Galeras....Go horse back riding etc.... I would suggest staying away from tour operaters, unless you have deep pockets. There are plenty of things to do in and around Samana and you will enjoy them MUCH more without being gouged by a tour operator, as long as you have some guidance. PM me if you would like any more info...would be glad to help.
 
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Renate

New member
Jan 12, 2007
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ageorge said:
we are sailing on NCL in Oct. and would like to go to Cayo Levantado. Ship excursion is $50 pp but that only includes tender to and from. We have a group of 10 so we'd love to book something ourselves. No one speaks Spanish so just approaching someone in Samana and trying to communicate what we want is a little shakey. Can anyone recommend someone we could pre-book with to take us to and from Cayo Levantado from Samana. Hate thought of paying NCl $500 for a tender ride!
Thanks!
Anne
Click to expand...
Hi Anne,

suggest that you contact manfred@ozeanic-caribbean.com (from Tauchschule Ozeanic - Willkommen in der Karibik ) , this is a family coming from Germany who has settled in Samana some years ago. I do not know them personally, I saw them in a German TV soap about emigrants leaving Germany. They have boats for rent in Samana, for sure they can tell you if they can take you to Cayo Levantado, or if it's impossible.

Good luck!
Renate (Austria)
 
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jonvelas

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Jan 29, 2010
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gosamana-dominicanrepublic.com
Excursions, Tours, Activities for your Cruise Ship form Port of Samana

To find out all the alternatives for Excursions, Tours and Activities for your Cruise Ship
by booking directly with local Tour Operators in Samana and saving a lot of money
( most probably at half the price of your cruise ship ), i would suggest you check out
the new website of the town of Samana.

Here is the link :

Go Samana | Samana, Dominican Republic

:cool: Enjoy beautiful scenic Samana !
 
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ben jammin

Well-known member
Aug 3, 2007
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just wondering how many times one can revive a 2-yr old thread to plug their website? never seen a post from jon that has not included this link.
 
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LTSteve

Gold
Jul 9, 2010
5,449
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Avoid Cayo Levantado

ageorge said:
we are sailing on NCL in Oct. and would like to go to Cayo Levantado. Ship excursion is $50 pp but that only includes tender to and from. We have a group of 10 so we'd love to book something ourselves. No one speaks Spanish so just approaching someone in Samana and trying to communicate what we want is a little shakey. Can anyone recommend someone we could pre-book with to take us to and from Cayo Levantado from Samana. Hate thought of paying NCl $500 for a tender ride!
Thanks!
Anne
Click to expand...

HI:

I live on the northeast coast in Las Terrenas about 6 months of the year. Cayo Levantado has beautiful beaches however it is basically a tourist trap, very overpriced and loaded with tour groups. If you want the real unspoiled DR experience take the advice of others who have already commented and hire a couple of vans to take you to Playa Ricon. You don't have to go to Las Galeras first. A driver can take you directly to Rincon.
Be sure to negotiate the price per person before you agree to the trip. There are sum small restaurants on the beach serving grilled fish and cold beer. You can swim and chill out. If you enjoy your experience a tip will be appreciated by your guide. Good luck.

S
 
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belmont

Bronze
Oct 9, 2009
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Just keep in mind that one advantage of going on excursions sold by the cruise line is that the ship isn't going to sail if your return by the tour operator is delayed. Not so if you go on your own tour. If they say the ship will depart the island at 6pm, the ship will depart at 6pm. I have been on many cruises where passengers were left behind because of flat tires or broken down taxis. All the cruise line will do for you is help you make arrangements to fly to the ship's next port to catch up at your own expense.
 
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jonvelas

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Jan 29, 2010
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gosamana-dominicanrepublic.com
Going to Cayo Levantado Island without using tender boats from Cruise Ship

Just like Terry mentioned before in another post, it is close to impossible to get to Cayo Levantado Island on your own without using the tender boats of your Cruise Line.

The best alternative to Cayo Levantado is of course Playa Rincon - Simply Gorgeous !
( about 35 kilometers away with some pretty rough roads )

Another alternative is : Playa El Valle ( about 15 kilometers away )

Beaches that are much closer include's the one right in the town of Samana : Cayacoa Beach
and also Playa Anadel, some 4 kilometers away from town.

;) Enjoy discovering Samana !
 
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