Samana (Dominican Republic)
Tropical forests and aquamarine seas with kaleidoscopic diving opportunities abound at Samana. A place of salsa rhythms picturesque beaches and scenic layers of coconut palm trees the peninsula is a highlights reel of the Dominican Republic's best experiences. Choose to hike the mangrove forests of Los Haitises National Park or enter caves adorned with ancient art from the Taino Indians which plunge into the earth nearby. Pound through jungle trails on horseback seeking out towering waterfalls skim across the waves on powerful jet-skis or nurdle inland at your own pace in a sea kayak. Samana offers all of the snorkelling and diving that you would expect from a stunning Caribbean destination but it’s also renowned for the larger sea creatures that dwell in its waters - with mighty humpbacks visiting the bay during winter’s months. Set away from the lavish all-inclusive resorts Samana has an authentic feel. Stroll streets of shacks stacked with rosy fruits - sampling the freshest juices - and head to renowned beaches like Rincon. Just offshore the beautiful speck of an island Cayo Levantado waits. Here you'll find rich snorkelling with extraordinary visibility below the crisp clear waters. Get a closer view of the teeming reefs where tiny fish dart back and forth. Or simply lie back and let the sun gently bronze your skin in the embrace of the brilliant bright white sand.
