Samaná

The city of Samana, and mainly its bay, has always drawn many visitors, not only for being a paradise of beaches and almost intact vegetation, but also because of its strategic position in the Caribbean geography. This is an exquisite destination for scuba diving and fishing. Travelers can drive down the road. Its intimate hotels are only part of the attractions on the island, as well as the neighboring towns and rural hamlets, interesting caves and caverns, keys and islets in the middle of the bay and a landscape altered by man with huge groves of coconut palm trees, remnant forests, rivulets and pavilions. In the peninsula's major beachfront villages, travelers can apréciate beautiful and bohemian Las Terrenas, a town of unpaved streets and somewhat hippy ambiance. Las Galeras, laden by Caribbean-like small hotels offering cheap and familiar lodging. Its cuisine based on a local dish of coconut-flavored rice and fish is served exquisitely in its many restaurants -some of them run by European firms- that also offer international gourmet. Among other attractions, we strongly suggest you the Banbula dance from the African-Caribbean culture and its saint patron festivities, Victorian-style protestant churches, voodoo and witchcraft worshipping with magical and religious rituals performed by its local residents and craftsmanship out of coconut fibers.