Travelling to the Dom Rep is an absolute dream for many people and it truly feels like paradise. In this blog post, I’ll tell you everything you need to know about travelling to the Dominican Republic, where to go, the Samana Peninsula or Punta Cana, where there is an airport and where to go whale watching.
Content of this article:
1. Where is Samana in the Dominican Republic?
2. Travelling to Punta Cana or Samana – where is the holiday better?
3. Is there an airport in Samana in the Dominican Republic?
4. How to travel to the Samana peninsula in the Dominican Republic?
5. What to do in Samana?
6. Where is the best place to stay in Samana Peninsula?
7. Whale Watching in Samana in the Dominican Republic – can you really see whales?
1. Where is Samana in the Dominican Republic?
Samana is a peninsula located in the northeast of the Dominican Republic. It is also home to the famous town of Las Terrenas, known for its lively beach life and surfing.
By loading the map, you agree to Google's privacy policy.
Learn more
2. Travelling to Punta Cana or Samana – where is the holiday better?
Both places in the Dominican Republic, Punta Cana and Samana have their advantages and disadvantages and it depends on the individual needs of each traveller what is the best choice. The biggest advantage of Punta Cana is that there is an airport there and you can be at your hotel in just a few minutes after your 9-hour flight. To Samana, on the other hand, you take a taxi for about 5 hours, which already feels very long after a long-haul flight. Thank God we had downloaded an exciting audio book that kept us well entertained during the 5 hours.
3. Is there an airport in Samana in the Dominican Republic
There is no airport in Samana. Most travellers fly to Punta Cana and then take the 5-hour taxi ride to Samana. This is because most holiday planes and package tours to the Dominican Republic fly to Punta Cana. However, there is also an airport in Puerto Plata, which is further northwest in the Dom Rep from Samana. However, the drive from Puerto Plata is similarly long and there are fewer flights to Puerto Plata from Europe. In addition, the road from Punta Cana to Samana is better developed and the drive a little more pleasant
4. How to travel to the Samana peninsula in the Dominican Republic?
The best way to travel from Germany to Samana is to take a flight to Punta Cana and then continue by taxi for about 5 hours to Samana. If you want to spread out your trip a bit, you can also stay in Punta Cana for one or a few nights and then continue to Samana. This way you have a nice comparison of the two places.
5. What to do in Samana?
Samana is a very versatile peninsula and has something to offer for everyone. There are very quiet, almost deserted bays for those seeking peace and quiet. There is also the lively corner of Las Terrenas, where a small surfer, party, we-enjoy-the-life community has formed. There’s also plenty of nature and hiking.
Enjoying the quiet bay of Coson
By loading the map, you agree to Google's privacy policy.
Learn more
We stayed at the Hotel Viva Wyndham V Samana in the north of the Samana peninsula, near Las Terrenas, but in the bay of the Viva Wyndam V Samana you don’t get to see the hustle and bustle of Las Terrenas. On the contrary, in the entire bay, which stretches over about 1 kilometre, there are 3 resorts and otherwise only wild jungle and palm trees. It is a true paradise and perfect to get away from it all and just enjoy a great beach.
Stand-up Paddling & Bodyboard Fun in Coson
There are a few small waves in the bay of Coson and on a windy day, beginners can also make their first surfing attempts here. And if a surfboard is too big for you, you can hire a bodyboard from the hotel – guaranteed fun for everyone! Again, on days with little wind, you can do some wonderful stand-up paddling in the bay.
Wave surfing in Las Terrenas
By loading the map, you agree to Google's privacy policy.
Learn more
In las Terrenas, the conditions for surfing are particularly good and beginners as well as professionals can surf here. You can book surf lessons or simply rent a surfboard on the beach.
Visit the Salto El Limón waterfall
By loading the map, you agree to Google's privacy policy.
Learn more
At 52 metres, the El Limón waterfall is the highest waterfall on the island and definitely worth a visit, as you can even take a bath in the turquoise pool in which it pours. The waterfall can be reached by a 2.5-kilometre hike. Many tourists also ride up there on horseback.
6. Where is the best place to stay in Samana Peninsula?
We stayed at the Viva Wyndham V Samana hotel in the north of the Samana peninsula for 10 days and it was simply fantastic. The complex is a pleasant size, the food was consistently delicious and the staff extremely friendly. The hotel is right on the sea, with its own very well-furnished beach area with plenty of sunbeds and fantastic beach beds. The pool area is also beautifully designed, but we were really only by the sea.
7. Whale watching in Samana in the Dominican Republic – can you really see whales?
The bay of Samana is a natural mating and breeding area for humpback whales. From March to May about 2000 to 3000 humpback whales come to Samana Bay and you can watch these huge mammals jumping, diving and courting. During the rest of the year, the whales are not in Samana Bay and no whale watching tours are offered.
There are no whale watching tours in Punta Cana. However, tour operators offer a transfer to Samana.
Disclaimer: The provider of a whale watching tour should be chosen carefully. Only companies that do not interfere with the natural habitat of the animals, such as driving too close to the whales or even feeding them so that they appear, should be booked.
These were the most important points you should know for your next trip to the Dom Rep. Do you still have questions or are you missing information? Then write a comment below the blog article and I will add them.
