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Playa Rincon Samana Dominican Republic

Playa Rincon Samana Dominican Republic

Yes there's Punta Cana and Puerto Plata.  If you are an avid Dominican tourist or national you know that Punta Cana beaches are the most known and beautiful but Conde Nast Traveler can't be wrong in saying that Samana beaches have something that qualify them to be among the best in the world.  Here at Taburlao.com know that and have that special place for the place.

Yes we know all about the big hotel and resort names at Punta Cana and the big cruise terminals in Puerto Plata but there's something special about Samana beaches.

Now this is not by no means that one size fits all and everything about Samana beaches is to be like but here are some things you can do or places you can go to try for yourself.

Explore the Haitises National Park from the water

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1.  Explore the Haitises National Park from the water

What is? This is not just a green space: it is the sanctuary of Caribbean biodiversity and one of the most important protected areas in the Dominican Republic. And furthermore, a movie setting: 'The Island of the Severed Heads' or some scenes from 'Jurassic Park' have been shot in this primitive environment.

Why do you have to go? To get to know this forest paradise in the middle of the sea. This wonder of the natural world (declared a World Heritage Site by Unesco) occupies 1,600 square kilometers (double the entire province of Samaná!), and if you have little time to visit it, the ideal is to travel by boat to sail together to its mogotes or islets ('haitises' in the indigenous language). The pier to navigate this marvel is located on the boardwalk of Santa Bárbara de Samaná, the main city of the province.

Do not miss: The island of birds (where thousands of pelicans nest, among other species), the photogenic Shark Cave (due to the geological shape of its opening), the largest mangrove forest in the Caribbean (almost 300 square kilometers) or the island of the first Survivors (we are not talking about castaways, but about the participants of the first editions of the television program, recorded here until the filming set was taken to Honduras).

Lose yourself a day in Las Terrenas

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2.  Get lost for a day in Las Terrenas

What is? The most charming town and dream villas per square meter in Samaná.

Why do you have to go? Until the 70s it was a humble fishing village, but today the great fortunes (French above all) have invested in brick here. The colorful houses in its historic center on the seashore recall that seafaring past (they are known as Pueblo de Pescadores), although today they live more from tourism. Its main street is a coming and going of motorcycles (as in all of Samaná, actually), craft shops and the coolest beach bars abound to have a Presidente (or whatever) under the palm trees of its beaches fine white sand. like himhe Cosón beach, the paradisiacal sandy area where you can score an Estefanííííííííaaaaaa! (it's the beach where Christofer ran off after seeing compromising footage of his girl during one of the bonfires), but just  in case you know what we're talking about

Do not miss: The wall of the local cemetery: its walls are a canvas for urban artists who give life and color to the main avenue through which the town is accessed.                                                                  Advertising

Get a free hammock in Cayo Levantado (Bacardi Island)

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3.  Get a free hammock in Cayo Levantado (Bacardí Island)

What is? Possibly the most famous key in the Dominican Caribbean.

Why do you have to go? The Caribbean is synonymous with cays (those thousands of small, flat, sandy islands that dot the Antillean sea), but this one is especially attractive, popular, and photogenic. A paradise of palm trees, white sand and crystal clear waters that it is impossible to do without on a trip to Samaná (despite having a point of tourist attraction: it can be visited within the same excursion to Haitises).

Do not miss: The piña colada with a little umbrella freshly prepared in the beach bars of this islet.

Sail without fear in the Humpback Whale Sanctuary

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4.  Sail without fear in the Humpback Whale Sanctuary

What is? T he bay of Samaná, one of the best places in the world to see humpback whales in their natural habitat.

Why do you have to go? More than 3,000 whales are known to travel the 5,000 miles each year from the frigid waters of the North Atlantic to the warm, crystal clear, shallows of the Caribbean to mate and reproduce. And that happens during the months of January to March: only then (and taking the necessary precautions and only on official boats) can you sail alongside them to see them dance and sing live.

Do not miss: The Whale Museum, an interpretation center open throughout the year. It is next to the bay of Santa Bárbara de Samaná and there you can learn a little more about this species, its history and its hazardous way of life.                                                                  Advertising

Know the history of the Gulf of Arrows

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5.  Know the history of the Gulf of Arrows

What is? A paradisiacal bay protected by a belt of coconut palms that plunge into the sea.

Why do you have to go? It is  the first thing that Columbus saw when he arrived in the Americas, and the crush was instantaneous (in a literal sense) , because that is how they received the conqueror when they saw him disembark in January 1493 (it was his second trip to the Americas). That is why today this area, located in front of the famous Cayo Levantado (or Bacardí Island), is known as 'the gulf of arrows' (although the latest theories maintain that the place where the Ciguayos Indians received the Spaniards at crushes is really to the north of the peninsula, on the beach of Las Galeras). There is no doubt that this is a historic event that makes the province of Samaná the natural and historic gateway to the Dominican Republic.

Do not miss: The Bahía Príncipe Grand Cayacoa hotel, one of the four great hotels that the Spanish chain has in Samaná (this one in a privileged place next to the Samaná bridge) and which plans to reopen its doors in October.

Look for starfish from the Bridge of the Keys

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6.  Look for starfish from the Bridge of the Keys

What is? One of the urban constructions of which they are most proud around here.

Why do you have to go? This pedestrian bridge, divided into several sections, connects the bay of Samaná with the two closest keys (Linares, 90 meters from the seashore, and Vigía, 550 meters away) which can be reached on foot: that is why it is He also knows the 'Samaná walking bridges'.

Do not miss:  If it is not the season for humpback whales, throughout the year you can see starfish (many) placidly diving in its crystalline waters.                                                                  Advertising

Partying in Santa Bárbara de Samaná

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7.  Party in Santa Bárbara de Samaná

What is? The nerve center of the most important city of Samaná and the area with the best atmosphere during the day and at night.

Why do you have to go? Santa Bárbara de Samaná holds the title of being the first European city founded by the Spanish. Canaries, to be more exact. And the first thing you come across as soon as you arrive in the city is Pueblo Príncipe, a group of colorful houses and colonial aesthetics with more 'shopping' than history (despite its  historical link to the Discovery by Columbus during his second voyage). to the Americas) . If you dare to explore its old town (a few streets further into Pueblo Príncipe) ask for the 'churcha', its oldest building (a wooden church from the 18th century) declared cultural heritage.

Do not miss: Partying on the boardwalk overlooking the bay when night falls. There is a whole succession of places with decibels above their possibilities in which it is inevitable not to move your hips or for some local to ask you to dance close together (and we are not referring precisely to the Eurovisual success of Sergio Delma).

Take a bath in Playa Rincon

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8.  Go for a swim in Playa Rincón

What is? One of the ten most beautiful beaches in the world according to Condé Nast Traveler.

Why do you have to go? Around here all the beaches are picture postcard, and this one in particular. Finest white sand in a bay with calm, crystalline waters, surrounded by a textbook tropical landscape. In addition, the practice of water sports is more than usual: from bodysurfing (its waves in the left area allow it) to snorkeling (due to the calm of its waters to the right of the bay). Or simply enjoy the views and have a picnic in front of the sea (it has several beach bars or local huts where they serve typical dishes).

Don't miss: Caño Frio, a natural (and freshwater) pool formed right at the mouth of the river facing the sea at the far left of the beach. An area very frequented by locals on a Sunday plan.                                                                  Advertising

Locate La Playita, the secret of Las Galeras

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9.  Locate La Playita, the secret of Las Galeras

What is? It is another postcard beach, but so little known that it hardly has a name.

Why do you have to go? It is off the beaten track for tourists. From its name it can be deduced that it is not a very large beach, but it is a paradisiacal alternative to the main beach of this remote town dedicated to backpacking and where a good handful of the most beautiful beaches in the Dominican Republic can be found.

Do not miss: This town concentrates a good handful of very tropical cabins, huts, chalets and lodges for lovers of ecotourism.

Sleep at the Hotel Bahía Príncipe Luxury Samana

Hotel Bahia Principe Luxury Samana

10.  Sleep at the Hotel Bahía Príncipe Luxury Samaná

What is? One of the 'adults only' hotels of the Spanish chain in the province of Samaná.

Why do you have to go? To live the experience of a vacation with a bracelet and mini golf lessons in the pool. This five-star resort is located in the bay of Samaná, just a 15-minute drive from the main city of the province, Santa Bárbara de Samaná. A stately hotel with a characteristic facade of colonial terraces in a pink tone that seems to plunge into the Caribbean. In addition to the pool and jacuzzi, access to the beach is direct.

Do not miss:  In addition to its massages with mamajuana (an indigenous root of the area to which aphrodisiac properties are attributed), the piña colada and the passion fruit margarita from its cocktail bar at any time.