Samana is the Dominican Republic's wild peninsula, where three thousand humpback whales show up every winter, a forty-metre waterfall drops into a jungle swimming pool, and the beaches are so quiet you will lose count of how many you have to yourself.
With flights to the Dominican Republic leaving on a daily basis from airports across the UK/Ireland, there's never been a better time to get away. So take advantage of On The Beach's unrivalled offers and book today: your dream holiday in the Dominican Republic is only a few clicks away!
Highlights of your Holiday to Samana
Whale Watching in Samana Bay - Every January to March, around three thousand humpback whales migrate from the North Atlantic to Samana Bay to breed and calve. The Dominican Republic created a 25,000 square kilometre marine sanctuary to protect them, and boat tours from Samana town put you within safe viewing distance. One of the best whale watching experiences in the Caribbean, full stop.
El Limon Waterfall - A forty-metre single-drop waterfall that crashes into a natural swimming pool surrounded by tropical jungle. You reach it by horseback or hiking trail, about forty minutes through the forest, and the swim at the bottom is worth every step. About twenty-five minutes from Las Terrenas by car.
Los Haitises National Park - Nearly 1,600 square kilometres of limestone karst formations, mangrove forests, and caves containing Taino petroglyphs that are hundreds of years old. The boat trip through the mangroves and into the caves is like nothing else in the Dominican Republic. Home to the Ridgway's hawk, one of the rarest birds of prey on Earth.
Playa Rincon - Consistently rated among the best beaches in the Caribbean, a long arc of white sand backed by palm trees and reached by boat or a bumpy road from Las Galeras. No resorts, no lounger rentals, just a couple of shacks selling fresh fish and cold drinks. The kind of beach that postcards wish they could do justice to.
Las Terrenas - The peninsula's liveliest town, a former fishing village turned expat favourite with a walkable beachfront, French-influenced restaurants, Dominican street food, and a nightlife scene that actually has a pulse. The base for most visitors to Samana.
Good to Know
☀️ Weather - Samana gets warm sunshine year-round with temperatures between 28°C and 31°C. The driest months are December to March, which also happens to be whale watching season. The wet season brings tropical downpours that usually clear within the hour rather than washing out the day.
💶 Money - The Dominican Republic uses the Dominican Peso (DOP), and US dollars are accepted at tourist spots. Samana is cheaper than the big east-coast resorts. A meal at a local restaurant costs around £3-£7 / €4-€8, and a cold Presidente beer is about £1-£2 / €1.25-€2.50.
🐋 Fun Fact - Samana Bay is one of only a handful of places in the world where humpback whales come specifically to give birth. Around three thousand whales make the journey from the North Atlantic every winter, and the Dominican government protects them with one of the largest marine mammal sanctuaries on the planet.
Local Lingo
Spanish is the main language on the Samana peninsula, with a splash of French influence in Las Terrenas thanks to its expat community. Resort staff speak English, but a few words of Spanish will open doors everywhere else.
Hola, OH-lah, Hello
Gracias, GRAH-thee-as, Thank you
Por favor, por fah-VOR, Please
Una cerveza, por favor, OO-nah ser-VEH-sah, por fah-VOR, A beer, please
¿Cuánto cuesta?, KWAN-toh KWES-tah, How much does it cost?
¡Salud!, sah-LOOD, Cheers!
¿Qué lo que?, keh loh keh, What's up? (Dominican slang, used everywhere)
Tranquilo, tran-KEE-loh, Relax / take it easy (the unofficial Dominican motto)
Travel Advice
Flight time - Around 9 to 10 hours from major UK & Ireland airports. The nearest airport is Samana El Catey International (AZS), though some flights route via Puerto Plata (POP) or Santo Domingo (SDQ).
Airport transfer - Samana El Catey airport is roughly 30 minutes from Las Terrenas. If flying into Puerto Plata, the transfer to the Samana peninsula is around 3 to 4 hours.
Time difference - Four hours behind GMT year-round (no daylight saving).
Currency - Dominican Peso (DOP). US dollars accepted at tourist spots and hotels. Cash is more useful than cards outside Las Terrenas.
Passport and visa - UK & Ireland passport holders do not need a visa for stays up to 30 days. Passports must be valid for at least six months. A tourist card is included in your airline ticket cost.
Plugs - Type A and B (US-style flat pins), 110V. Bring a universal adaptor.
Tipping - Tipping in US dollars is appreciated. Budget one to two dollars for service staff, two to five dollars for excursion guides and drivers. Bring ones, fives and tens in cash.
Tap water - Stick to bottled water. Hotels and restaurants provide it.
Health - No mandatory vaccinations, but check with your GP before travelling. Hepatitis A and Typhoid boosters are commonly recommended. Mosquito repellent and high-factor sun cream are essential.
More Destinations
Dominican Republic - The Caribbean's biggest all-inclusive destination, with mega-resorts in Punta Cana, stunning south-coast diving at Bayahibe, and enough variety across the island to fill a dozen holidays.
Punta Cana - The headline act on the east coast, with the longest stretch of white sand in the Caribbean, dozens of all-inclusive resorts, and a buzzy atmosphere that keeps going well past sunset.
Bavaro - The quieter, reef-protected neighbour on the east coast, where the water is calm, the resorts are big, and the beach shacks at El Cortecito serve the best local seafood going.
Uvero Alto - The most secluded stretch of the Dominican east coast, where the resorts are spread out, the beaches feel private, and the jungle comes right down to the sand.
Jamaica - Reggae, jerk chicken, waterfalls you can actually climb, and a laid-back energy that gets into your bones from day one. Montego Bay and Negril are the headline acts.