Samana Peninsula Travel Guide: Reviews, photos, & videos

Located on the north side of the Samana Peninsula, El Portillo and Las Terranas, next door towns, offer a visual feast perfect for the cover of any travel brochure. Picture this – miles of protected inshore waters, untainted white-sand beaches, fluttering palm trees, rustic and pastel colored fishing boats. Oh yeah – and the sun is shining, the weather is 77 degrees (the year round average), and there’s not a cloud in the sky. Spend a relaxing afternoon strolling through the quaint beachside town of El Portillo, one of the more developed tourist zones in Samana, where you can get your fill of ocean views while enjoying restaurants, shopping and night life. Admire the wall mural in the center of town, adorned with paintings of whales, turtles, and other local art. And don’t be afraid to partake in a delicious sugar filled concoction at the bevy of European inspired pastry shops that dot these peaceful streets.

Check out the pristine Playa Rincón Beach. Considered one of the best beaches in all of the Dominican Republic, this sandy paradise is located on the other side of the peninsula and is accessible only on a four wheeler, on horseback or by a short boat trip from nearby Las Galeras. Looking for a place more permanent? Tucked in the mountains just above El Portillo, Las Terrenas, the largest town in the Samana province, has experienced a growth spurt of vacation homes and condos, catering to retirees and staycationers. Both locations provide a great overall picture of the beautiful and relaxing life in the Dominican Republic.

  • Beach, Centralamerica, Eco-tourism, Fishing, Island, Mountain, Night-life, Ocean, Romantic, Rustic, Shopping, Surfing

 
 
link19.3163273731-69.540710449210Las Terranas / El Portillo, Dominican Republic
link19.1892716946-69.3539428711Samaná
link19.1451681962-69.4555664063Whale Watching, Samana Bay
link19.3163273731-69.540710449210Las Terranas / El Portillo, Dominican Republic
 
 
 
 

   

 Directions 

Major airport - International airport of El Catey  
 
Average flight time – 2 hours from Miami  
 
Driving from airport to Las Terrenas is 45 minutes from Las Terrenas (15 with the new highway in construction).

 

   

 Weather 

  • Current conditions

    Cond109

    Scattered showers. There is a 40% chance of precipitation. Cloudy. Hot, Humid. Temperature of 82.89°F. Winds S 14.17mph. Humidity will be 84% with a dewpoint of 78° and feels-like temperature of 92.28°F.
    Hi: 83° F, Low: 75° F.

  • Tomorrow's forecast

    Cond064
    Mostly cloudy. Hot, Muggy. Temperature of 84.42°F. Winds S 8.54mph. Humidity will be 81% with a dewpoint of 78° and feels-like temperature of 95.4°F.
    Hi: 84° F, Low: 74° F.


  • Weatherbug's weather page.
 

   

 Attractions 

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Samaná

Many tourists are constantly searching for something new - a place that has remained relatively untouched by the hands of foreigners. Ironically, these tourists are seeking something often known as "un-touristy." Made up words aside, the town of Samaná is happy to oblige. Located on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean in the northeastern part of the DR and surrounded by tall mountains, this region is full of lush tropical forests, dozens of secluded, cozy alcove beaches, vast groves of coconut trees, rushing waterfalls and even a protected bay and national park. There's also the Samaná Peninsula which has a landscape of lush green hills and fields surrounding three rushing rivers and countless beaches. The area is also seen as a prime spot for whale watching – with humpback whales (as well as a good variety of seals, turtles and birds) often spotted swimming through the warm waters between November and March. Thankfully this pristine region has remained remarkably untainted by massive tourism; however, with the recent opening of the new Samaná El Catey International Airport this area is bound to become a major tourist hotspot sooner rather than later.

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Whale Watching, Samana Bay

Like most people my only experience with whales involves visiting Sea World at a young age and – of course – watching Free Willy on VHS. Thankfully, whale watching – especially in Samaná Bay– is a much better experience. With thousands of humpback whales migrating to Samaná Bay every year for the breeding season (which runs from January through March), thousands of tourists flock to these shores with binoculars, cameras and hopes of catching a glimpse of these marvelous and massive creatures in their natural calving and mating habitat! Listen with open ears as the male humpback's sings his solitary courting song while putting on incredible displays of flippering (is that an actual verb?), tail lobbing and breaching. Snap photos of these incredibly active and agile creatures leaping gracefully out of the blue surf! Learn unique and fascinating facts about these creatures from experienced guides and watchers (did you know that the humpback whale is the most active species of whale in the Atlantic). And thankfully, the Dominican government enforces strict whale protection laws, so this thrilling, once in a lifetime experience with these gentle giants of the sea is safe for years to come.

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 Reviews 

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 Photos and Videos 

Photos

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Videos

El Portillo Beach 10 day Viscape video blog tour of the Dominican Republic   Day 5 part 7   Heart of El PortilloPlay
El Portillo Beach by Las Terranas   10 day Viscape video blog tour of the Dominican Republic   Day 5 part 6   cute little surfer beachPlay