Samaná

Travel Guide

Photo provided by Ministry of Tourism of the Dominican Republic
Samana showing tropical scenes, a sandy beach and a sunset
Las Terrenas showing food
Rincon Beach featuring tropical scenes and general coastal views
Samana

Delight in the simple charm of this port town that attracts tourists with a picturesque coastline and forests to be explored on horseback or by zip line.

Get in touch with the Dominican Republic’s natural offerings in the small seaside town of Samana. Stroll pristine beaches, explore forests or go boating out into the bay.

Begin each day along the Samana El Malecon, the town’s oceanfront promenade. Here you’ll find many of the town’s best restaurants and cafés for a satisfying breakfast, lunch or dinner by the bay.

Just a few minutes walk from downtown Samana, the Cayacoa Beach attracts hundreds of visitors on hot days. To experience one of the region’s prettiest beaches, buy a ticket for the boat from the Samana port to Cayo Levantatdo. This peaceful beach sits on an island in the bay and offers incredible views of the Dominican coastline.

Take a walk along Samana’s iconic Los Puentes, otherwise known as the “bridges to nowhere.” This 0.8-mile (1.3-kilometer) stretch of walkway was once intended to lead to a casino, but now serves as a great place to sit on a bench and watch the sun set over the island of Cayo Vigia.

Some of the region’s best features are outside the town limits. Take scenic daytrips to the mangrove swamps of Los Haitises National Park and spot dolphins in the San Lorenzo Bay. Hire a guide and ride on horseback to the superb El Limon Waterfalls. Samana’s popular zip-line tours take you on exhilarating rides over the lush forestland, with some lines descending 40 stories.

When the sun goes down, return to El Malecon, where bars, discos and outdoor terraces provide drinks and entertainment.

Samana is a town that provides all the necessities for a modern traveler. Enjoy the convenience of a supermarket, four banks and good telephone and internet coverage. An international airport also serves the town and is about 15 minutes away. Rent a car to get around outside Samana.

Where to stay in Samaná

Samana showing a bay or harbor, tropical scenes and boating

Samaná Centro

While there might not be top attractions in Samaná Centro, you can explore the larger area and discover places like Samana Bay and Cayo Levantado Beach.

Samaná Centro
Default Image

Doncel

While Doncel might not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Samana Bay and Samana Zipline.

Doncel
Default Image

Villa Salma

While Villa Salma might not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Samana Bay and Cayo Levantado Beach.

Villa Salma
Default Image

María Luisa

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in María Luisa and surrounding area, you can visit Samana Bay and Cayo Levantado Beach.

María Luisa
Default Image

La Mezcla

While there might not be top attractions in La Mezcla, you can explore the larger area and discover places like Samana Bay and Cayo Levantado Beach.

La Mezcla
Whale watching with Whale Samana was an amazing experience! We spent 4 hours and saw at least 10 whales. We even got to see a whale breach right in front of us! Really nice boat and worth the money. The best time of the year to go is January - March. For an extra $5 they will drop you off at the island Cayo Levantado for the afternoon. Also beautiful!

Barrio La Fortaleza Vieja

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in Barrio La Fortaleza Vieja and surrounding area, you can visit Samana Bay and Cayo Levantado Beach.

Barrio La Fortaleza Vieja
Bahia Principe Grand Samana - Adults Only

Bahia Principe Grand Samana - Adults Only

4.5 out of 5
carretera Samana, Las Galeras, s/n, Los Cacaos, Samaná
The price is NT$5,721 per night from Aug 18 to Aug 19
NT$5,721
NT$5,721 total
Aug 18 - Aug 19
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Samaná. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (563 reviews)
"The resort"

Reviewed on 2025/7/9

Bahia Principe Grand Samana - Adults Only
Wyndham Alltra Samana All-Inclusive Resort

Wyndham Alltra Samana All-Inclusive Resort

3 out of 5
Playa Las Galeras, Las Galeras, Samana
The price is NT$6,735 per night from Jul 20 to Jul 21
NT$6,735
NT$7,947 total
Jul 20 - Jul 21
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star beach property in Samaná. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 3 outdoor pools. Popular attractions Playa Grande and La Playita Beach are located ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (150 reviews)
"Wow! What great hotel! Excellent customer service clean pool and a beautiful beach. A diverse food menu with the buffet and special restaurants each night . One of the best hotels I’ve been in."

Reviewed on 2025/7/6

Wyndham Alltra Samana All-Inclusive Resort
Cayo Levantado Resort - All Inclusive

Cayo Levantado Resort - All Inclusive

5 out of 5
Isla De Cayo Levantado, Samaná, Samana
The price is NT$25,570 per night from Jul 20 to Jul 21
NT$25,570
NT$25,570 total
Jul 20 - Jul 21
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury property in Samaná. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (173 reviews)
"Our stay at Cayo Levantato was nothing short of exceptional. The resort is a true haven for relaxation. The private beach is absolutely stunning,peaceful,pristine, and never crowded. It felt like our own secluded slice of paradise. As a wellness-focused hotel, Cayo Levantado offers a calm, rejuvenating ..."

Reviewed on 2025/7/13

Cayo Levantado Resort - All Inclusive
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Las Mariposas

Las Mariposas

3 out of 5
Las Galeras Samaná, Las Galeras, Samaná
Stay at this 3-star vacation home in Samaná. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Popular attractions Playa Grande and La Playita Beach ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (5 reviews)
"Amazing, and relaxing place,"

Reviewed on 2025/3/15

Las Mariposas
El Pelicano Apart-Hotel

El Pelicano Apart-Hotel

3 out of 5
Calle Jimmy Hendrix, behind Hotel Villa Serena, Las Galeras
Stay at this 3-star apartment in Samaná. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and an airport shuttle (surcharge). Popular attractions La Playita Beach and Playa Grande ...
9/10 Wonderful! (48 reviews)
"We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at this clean and well-maintained property. The person who provided us with access to our room was exceptionally polite."

Reviewed on 2025/5/6

El Pelicano Apart-Hotel
Edma Aparta Hotel

Edma Aparta Hotel

2 out of 5
Av. William Jhonson, Samaná, Samaná
Book a stay at this family-friendly aparthotel in Samaná. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Popular attractions Samana Bay and Cayo Levantado ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (3 reviews)
"Nice clean room. Friendly staff. Extremely noisy! Neighbour adjacent to hotel plays music at a ridiculously loud level, had to use ear plugs and still sounded louder than a loud concert. Very very noisy part of town."

Reviewed on 2023/1/12

Edma Aparta Hotel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit