Samana

The best weather in Samana is found in winter between December and May. Winter weather is a few degrees cooler than summer and there is less humidity.

Keep in mind that temperatures are considerably cooler if you take an excursion to the region’s mountainous interior, especially in the winter. In other words, come prepared with a sweater or light jacket.

Bonita Beach is ideal for learning how to surf, while the six-km-long Playa Coson beach has something for everyone – a bay of calm waters, river mouths, strong winds for kite enthusiasts and waves for surfing. El Portillo Beach offers calm, shallow waters that are attractive for family outings. And the remote Playa Rincon beach was voted second best in the world by Conde Nast Traveler.

The Samana Bay (Bahia de Samana) is also one of the top places in the world to see humpback whales in action. Every year, from January to mid-March, thousands of these huge mammals come from faraway waters. It’s here where female humpback whales are courted by the males, mating and a year later, giving birth to their babies. The balmy, shallow waters of the bay provide the perfect conditions for delivering the baby humpbacks.

But there are many reasons to visit beyond the whale-watching and gorgeous beaches. Samana is filled with authentic culture and history. The area has been home to many different ethnic groups and their influence remains strong here. You’ll see menus in French at local restaurants and hear people conversing en francais in Las Terrenas. In El Limon, the Anglo-Saxon surnames of King, Kelly and Jones are commonplace. And in Santa Barbara de Samana, you may hear gospel psalms in an English/Spanish blend – a fascinating experience.

There are also plenty of activities for active vacationers to enjoy. A visit to Los Haitises National Park and a horseback ride to the El Limon Falls are sure to create memories of a lifetime. Surfers and kitesurfers will find challenges in the perfect combination of winds and currents off-shore of Samana. If you opt for snorkelling and scuba, you’ll find bliss in the seabed teeming with marine life and colourful coral.

This is also a place where you can mingle with locals. Go to the open-air produce market at Santa Barbara de Samana and hear pleasant greetings with friendly smiles. Rub shoulders with locals on the bustling streets of Las Terrenas. Bargain for a boat ride with the fishermen at Las Galeras. You’ll soon fall into the rhythm of the land and be accepted as part of it.

With a land mass of 850 sq. km., it’s a comfortable size and easy to explore in a week. Its topography is similar to an upside-down egg carton with low, rugged mountains covering much of the peninsula.

The mountains in the western extreme are separated from the Cordillera Septentrional mountain range by an extension of swampy, flat land called El Gran Estero. Hundreds of years ago, Samana peninsula was an island and this area was underwater. Deposits from the Yuna River have now filled in the land.

The mountainous interior forming the spine of the peninsula is composed of three sierras, none of them very steep. The highest mountains are La Meseta or Monte Mesa, at about 605 metres above ocean level. Numerous streams and rivers run down these mountains, some in spectacular waterfalls. Much of the interior land is farmed for coconut, rubber, coffee and cocoa, as well as seasonal crops such as yucca.

With the exception of the island of Cayo Levantado to the south, the best beaches are mostly found on the north side of the peninsula.

Yet even today, Samana still seems cut off from the rest of the Dominican Republic. Its culture is a unique blend of various ethnic groups. The Taino, Ciguayos and other natives were the first occupants. Only their caves and artifacts remain today.

From 1600 to 1800, the governments of Spain, France and England fought for control of the peninsula. This instability encouraged pirates, French and English buccaneers, slaves and rebel natives to use the zone as a centre for their activities. It was a wild two centuries. At one point in the early 1600s, small English and French urban centres were established along with coconut, coffee and sugarcane farms. Control of the region continued to change hands numerous times.

In the early to mid 19^th century while under Haitian rule, thousands of freed American slaves were invited to immigrate to the island – the majority of whom settled down in Samana.

These former slaves belonged to the African Methodist Episcopal Church. Their beloved church, La Churcha, still stands as an heirloom of the era. The new immigrants also brought their own distinctive cuisine and culture to the peninsula. Fish in coconut sauce, still a popular dish today, and Johnny cakes are just two of their culinary contributions. Their dances, such as bambula and olí-olí, can also be found at Samana’s festivals.

In the 1980s, the region opened to international tourism. English, French, French-Canadian, German and Italian retirees purchased properties here, adding even more rich culture to this diverse area. Many of the local restaurant owners, chefs and bakers here are from abroad. In fact, in Los Terrenas, you can easily find a perfect croissant, dense German pumpernickel bread, fresh-made pasta or a hot cup of British tea.

Overall, the best way to travel throughout Samana and surrounding areas is by taxi. The drivers here know the area extremely well and will help you get to and from destinations with ease.

If you need to withdraw funds, you’ll find bank machines at many resorts and popular shopping areas. Please note that local ATMs only dispense funds in pesos and fees vary by machine.

To avoid carrying a large amount of cash, a mix of payment options is recommended.

After passing immigration, you will pick up your luggage and pass through to customs. There, an official will take the blue customs declaration form.

If you have booked tours or transfers with WestJet Vacations, you will need to look for the WestJet Vacations / Hola Tours representatives outside the airport. Identify yourself as a WestJet guest and you’ll soon be on your way to your hotel or resort.

The town of Samana is 40 km away – approximately a one hour drive. Las Terrenas is one hour and 45 minutes away and Las Galeras is about two hours from the airport.

Departures

If you have booked transfers with WestJet Vacations, a Hola Tours representative will confirm your pick-up time which can also be found in the Westjet Vacations/Hola Tours info books at the tour desk of your hotel.

When you arrive back at Samaná El Catey International Airport, you will head to the WestJet Vacations counter and provide your passport to the agent at the desk. They will allocate your seats and provide you with a boarding pass. You can also check in online using WestJet’s convenient Web check-in service.

Before you pass through to the departures hall, you will need to fill out another blue immigration form and white customs declaration form (the same as you did on your flight in). After you go through security, an immigration officer will take your blue immigration form and stamp your passport.

Inside the airport you will find a variety of restaurants and concessions that can keep you busy while you wait to board for your flight.

Be sure your routine vaccinations are up to date. Hepatitis A, hepatitis B, malaria, typhoid and tetanus are commonly recommended by the Public Health Agency of Canada. Check with your local healthcare provider for additional information.