Samaná is also an independent traveler’s dream. Thousands of Europeans arrived as tourists and became residents, setting up businesses that give the area its unique cosmopolitan vibe. In Las Terrenas, French cafés and quaint guesthouses give way to Euro-chic boutiques, bistros, and beachfront lounges. But the peninsula retains its diverse cultural heritage. Croissants aside, you’ll find a cuisine rich in coconut flavors and seafood–an influence of early Canary Islands settlers, and descendants of 18th century African American immigrants who continue to thrive here. In Las Galeras, the fishing village life remains firm despite the large daytime tourist crowds who flock here to reach the renowned Playa Rincón.
Wherever you decide to stay on the peninsula, perched in treehouses in El Valle, tucked away in an eco-cabin in Las Galeras, or nestled in a beachfront suite, on glorious golden sands of Cosón: prepare for days surrounded by one of the Dominican Republic’s most magnificent beaches and rainforest escapes, where the echoes of merengue and bachata are never far away.
El Catey International Airport (AZS) is the gateway to the Samaná Peninsula. Cruises dock in Samaná in the winter season, near Cayo Levantado and the Bay of Samaná. Sailing enthusiasts will find full docking facilities and slips of up to 150 feet LOA at Puerto Bahía Marina, on the north end of Samaná Bay. By land, modern highways connect the peninsula to major points, including the Santo Domingo-Samaná Highway, or Route 7, and the Boulevard Turístico del Atlántico towards Las Terrenas, offering breathtaking, winding coastal views over the Bay of Cosón.
