Samaná Bay
Wide bay on the north coast where humpback whales come to breed and give birth in the winter months. Whale-watching boats leave from the town of Samaná.
Samaná Peninsula
Humpback whale watching in winter, quiet beaches and El Limón waterfall are the draws of this green peninsula.
Attractive locations
Los Haitises National Park
Park of mangroves, forested limestone hills and small islands in the bay. Boat trips visit caves with Taíno rock art and bird colonies among the trees.
Cayo Levantado
Small, palm-fringed island in Samaná Bay with a sandy beach and clear water. It is a short boat ride from the town and a popular spot for swimming.
El Limón Waterfall
Waterfall in the forested hills of the peninsula, reached on foot or on horseback. It falls into a pool where visitors can swim.
Playa Rincón
Long, wide beach backed by coconut palms on the north coast of the peninsula. It is far quieter than the resort beaches elsewhere on the island.
Las Terrenas
Laid-back beach town on the north coast with a blend of Dominican and European influences, palm-lined sand and cafes. It makes a good base for waterfall walks and coastal drives.
Airports
Samaná El Catey International Airport AZS
It is about 33 km in a straight line from Samaná Peninsula.
Las Américas International Airport SDQ
It is about 95 km in a straight line from Samaná Peninsula.
Casa De Campo International Airport LRM
It is about 104 km in a straight line from Samaná Peninsula.
Scams and safe taxis
Taxi and scam advice for this country is on the Dominican Republic page
Weather by month
Each month shows its average temperature in °C and its mm of rain per month.
- Jan25.5 °C56 mm
- Feb25.3 °C35 mm
- Mar25.3 °C38 mm
- Apr25.9 °C61 mm
- May26.7 °C100 mm
- Jun27.6 °C62 mm
- Jul27.9 °C78 mm
- Aug28.3 °C90 mm
- Sep28.4 °C96 mm
- Oct28.1 °C86 mm
- Nov27.2 °C106 mm
- Dec26.4 °C62 mm
Driest months: Jan, Feb, Mar. Wettest months: May, Sep, Nov.
Costs
Prices here are about 39% of US prices (World Bank, 2025). This compares a country's overall prices, not the cost of a trip.
Festivals and events
nature
Humpback whale season (Samana Bay)
Samana Bay holds humpback whales in their thousands.
nature
Humpback whale season (Samana Bay)
Samana Bay holds humpback whales in their thousands.
Who can help
Emergency
911 for all emergencies.
local government
Tourist Police (POLITUR), Dominican National Police
Helps with: The central office of the Dominican tourist police, listed in the National Police directory. Its tourist assistance and protection work covers visitors in tourist areas.
Who qualifies: Tourists and other visitors in the Dominican Republic.
Phone: (809) 222-2123
Email: [email protected]
Address: Ave. Gustavo Mejía Ricart esq. Teodoro Chasseriau, Santo Domingo, D.N.
ngo
Cruz Roja Dominicana (Dominican Red Cross)
Helps with: The Dominican national Red Cross society, a non-profit. Its services include a blood bank, clinical laboratories, training, and ambulance transport. It also lists disaster response and pre-hospital care as areas of work.
Who qualifies: People in the Dominican Republic who need its health, ambulance or disaster services.
Phone: 809-334-4545
Address: C/ Juan E. Dunant No. 51, Ensanche Miraflores, Santo Domingo
un agency
International Organization for Migration (IOM) Dominican Republic
Helps with: The UN migration agency, present in the Dominican Republic since 1968. It responds to the humanitarian needs of migrants, displaced people and returnees, and supports migration management.
Who qualifies: Migrants, displaced people and returnees in the Dominican Republic. It is not a help service for ordinary tourists.
Phone: +1 809 688 81 74
Address: Av. César Nicolás Penson 102, Santo Domingo
local government
Emergency number 911 (police, ambulance and fire)
Helps with: Reaches the police, ambulance and fire services in the Dominican Republic. UK government travel advice says 911 does not have full coverage across the country.
Who qualifies: Anyone in the country, including visitors, can call this number.
Phone: 911
local government
Tourist police emergency line outside Santo Domingo
Helps with: Tourist police line for emergencies outside Santo Domingo, as given by UK government travel advice. That advice says the 911 number does not cover the whole country.
Who qualifies: Visitors who are outside Santo Domingo and need the tourist police in an emergency.
Phone: +1 809 200 3500