The Peninsula of Samana is located on the northeastern coast of the Dominican Republic. Christopher Columbus arrived here in 1493, but was so fiercely attacked by the Ciguayo Indians that he left. He gave the bay the name Golfo de las Flechas which means the gulf of arrows.

The town of the same name (Samana) resides on the south end of the Peninsula. Founded in 1756 by two families from the Canary Island the town was destroyed in 1946 by a fire. There is no evidence of its past history. Instead you will find a modern churches, restaurants and hotels.

The bay of Samana is the home of over 3,000 humpback whales which migrate here to mate and calve. For Dominicans it is big business for them. Ninety percent of their yearly income will be generated during the whale season. Boat trips to this area are available through many tour companies. Consideration should be taken when taking these tours. With more and more tours being offered, the threat of polluting the bay increases, which threatens the breeding grounds of the hump back whales. You can also journey by boat to Los Haitises National Park, located across the bay of samana. Los Haitises features large mangrove swamps, a bird sanctuary, hiking trail and cave with some the islands oldest ancestory art from the Taino Tribe.

Cayo Levantado
Across the bay from Samana (15min by boat) is the unspoiled island of Cayo Levantado. Sometimes referred to as Bacardi Island, it makes claim that one of its three beaches is supposedly featured on one of the famous rum distillers advertisements. The largest beach on the island, Playa Grande has restaurants and bars for visitors to enjoy while their on the island. There is also a 40 room all-inclusive resort located here. Excursions to the island are available from many destinations in the Dominican Republic.

Las Terrenas
On the north side of the Peninsula of Samana is the town known as Las Terrenas. Once inaccessible due to its location, it is now reachable by a newly paved 17km road from Sanchez. The region which has some of the beast beaches on the island is visited frequently by divers around the world, who come here for the excellent reefs, sponges, and underwater caves.

The area is developing quickly to cope with the tourism but remains unspoiled and clean.

Humpbacks Wales
Samaná Bay has the rare distinction of being one of the best locations internationally to observe the well known and popular whale species, the Humpback (Megaptera novaengliae).

Each winter Humpbacks migrate anywhere from 2000 to 4000 miles, from distant northern feeding grounds in the Gulf of Maine, the east coast of Canada, Greenland and Iceland, to the warm Caribbean water of the Dominican Republic to reproduce.

Almost the entire North Western Atlantic Humpback whale population spends the months of January, February and March utilizing several offshore areas: Silver Bank and Navidad Bank as well as Samaná Bay. Like singles bars on a single's bar circuit, males look for females and vice-versa, courting and competing for the opportunity to mate.

El Limon Waterfalls
El Salto del Limón, as the waterfall is locally known, is found in the northeast of the Dominican Republic in the attractive peninsula of Samaná.

There are four access routes to the falls located about midway along the road joining Las Terrenas on the north coast with Samaná on the south coast. Four small communities-Rancho Espanol, Arroyo Surdido, El Café and El Limón-have organized entry points, or 'paradas', offering guided horseback treks to the falls. Food and beverages, local produce such as coffee, cocoa, grapefruit, coconuts and handicrafts can also be purchased at these paradas.