Things to do in Península De Samaná
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La Yuca Caliente
A definite step up from the neighboring cookie-cutter restaurants, La Yuca Caliente is sophisticated and serene. Spanish, Italian, fish dishes and excellent pizzas are served by a professional and courteous staff. Tables are set out on the beach amid swaying palm trees and the low-key sound system is conversation friendly. Wi-fi internet is available.
reviewed
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Canal Kite Club
Canal Kite Club rents windsurf boards, bodyboards, surfboards, kitesurfing equipment and provides lessons for all these activities. Six hours of kitesurfing lessons (really the minimum needed to have a sporting chance of making it work) cost US$200; a two-hour windsurfing lesson is US$60, the same time for surfing is US$40.
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Victoria Marine
Victoria Marine is Samaná’s most recommended whale-watching outfit. It’s owned and operated by Canadian marine biologist Kim Beddall, who was the first person to recognize the scientific and economic importance of Samaná’s whales, back in 1985. Victoria Marine tours use a large two-deck boat with capacity for 60 people (though most tours have around 40). The skilled captains religiously observe the local boat-to-whale distance and other regulations – most of which Beddall helped create – while on-board guides offer interesting facts and information in five languages over the boat’s sound system. Sodas and water are provided free of charge. Tours leave at 9am and last thre…
reviewed
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Grand Paradise Samaná Dive Center
Grand Paradise Samaná Dive Center is located at the far end of Grand Paradise Samaná’s beach. One-/two-tank dives including all equipment cost US$60/114 (US$5 to US$12 less if you have your own). Four- and six-dive packages bring the rate down to US$48 to US$52 per dive, including gear. Various PADI certification courses can also be arranged. Also on offer are snorkeling trips (US$12), whale-watching tours (US$49), trips to Playa Rincón (US$10), and windsurf and sailboat rental and instruction (US$10 to US$15 per hour), all available to guests and nonguests alike. It’s easy enough to walk to the dive shop here by following the path along the beach from town; resort secur…
reviewed
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Principe Snack Bar
Part of the brightly painted fake village that stretches along the western part of Av Malecón, this place is a snack bar dressed up as an elegant restaurant. Owned and operated by the resort chain of the same name, Principe Snack Bar has an indoor dining area that is the nicest in town and perfect for a drink, which makes the menu of chicken fingers (US$4) and hamburgers (US$5.50) something of a surprise. The outdoor patio is pleasant, especially at night when the air cools and a breeze blows in from the bay.
reviewed
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ATM-Tours
Organized tour operator ATM-Tour offers numerous day trips include whale watching in Bahía de Samaná (US$80 per person), land and boat excursions through Parque Nacional Los Haitises (US$70 per person) and hikes to the area’s isolated beaches (US$20 per person). Village tours that include a cockfight and stops in a typical home and primary school, as well as overnight trips further afield, can also be arranged.
reviewed
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Gallera
For those interested in one of the quintessential Dominican experiences, Las Terrenas has a gallera, located on Calle Principal just past Plaza Rosada. There are around a dozen matchups per night. Tourists are welcome, but the fights are certainly not watered down and betting is still an integral part of the event. Volunteers help explain the rules, strategy and wagering to cockfight neophytes.
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R-azor Tours
R-azor Tours organizes numerous day trips include whale watching in Bahía de Samaná (US$80 per person), land and boat excursions through Parque Nacional Los Haitises (US$70 per person) and hikes to the area’s isolated beaches (US$20 per person). Village tours that include a cockfight and stops in a typical home and primary school, as well as overnight trips further afield, can also be arranged.
reviewed
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Brasserie Barrio Latino
Occupying the busiest corner in town, this casual open-sided eatery has a large menu of international standards like sandwiches, burgers, pastas and meat dishes. Breakfast may be the best meal of the day here and there’s a small bar that in addition to beer and alcoholic drinks mixes up smoothies and a delicious morir soñando (tasty combination of orange juice, milk, sugar and crushed ice).
reviewed
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Paco Cabana Restaurant/Bar
Located just west of the main intersection in town, Paco Cabana makes great use of its beachside location. Beds and comfortable couches piled with pillows make for a breezy and beautiful place to lounge late into the night. The vibe is sophisticated Miami and, while drinks are the draw, there’s a kitchen that serves everything from basics such as hamburgers (US$8.50) to lobster (US$18).
reviewed
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Las Terrenas Divers
Las Terrenas Divers offers dive trips and courses (one tank US$34, equipment US$7, five tanks US$155, open-water certificate US$345) as well as snorkel trips to Isla Las Ballenas (US$15, one hour) and Playa Jackson (minimum three people, US$25 to US$30 per person). You can also rent kayaks, bodyboards and surfboards by the hour or the day.
reviewed
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Coconut Ray’s Paradise Restaurant
Meals at this restaurant in front of Paradiso Bungalows at the main intersection in town are a good deal in terms of portion size. Besides standard pasta and meat dishes like barbecued chicken (US$7.50), with a little foresight – two to four days’ notice –you can get a 4lb to 6lb giant crab (US$7.50 per lb) or slow-smoked whole pig (US$6 per lb).
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Primo Jeffro
For a change of pace, both in terms of cuisine and décor, head to this no-nonsense American-owned Mexican eatery. The open-air dining room couldn’t be simpler and unpretentious but the hearty tacos (US$1.25), burritos and chimichangas hit the spot. Almuerzos (set lunches; US$4) and combo dinners (US$4.75) are great deals.
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Restaurant Eden
Part of the Hotel-Residence Playa Colibrí, this pleasant outdoor restaurant is close to the end of the sandy beachside path from town, making it a perfect break before heading back. The menu and specials, from grilled salmon (US$10) to juicy burgers (US$7), are displayed on a chalkboard.
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L’Aventure Pizzeria
More modern than other restaurants in town, L’Aventure is at least as popular for its bar and backroom disco as for its large menu. Besides the standard pasta, grilled chicken and fish, milkshakes (US$4.25) are served up and there’s a TV at the bar for sports lovers.
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Grecia
A step up from the average beachside shack, Grecia is a combo restaurant, café and bar. Picnic tables and cushions are set out on the sand and it can get crowded when Dominicans, expats and tourists hunker down for the afternoon with sandwiches and drinks.
reviewed
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Prensa International
Towards the rear of the El Paseo shopping mall, this shop sells a variety of international newspapers and magazines – most are a day or two old and the majority are in French, though the International Herald Tribune is available.
reviewed
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Haitian Caraibes Art Gallery
For more of a selection of paintings, other than the ubiquitous cookie-cutter mass-produced ones, stop by the Haitian Caraibes Art Gallery; it also sells interesting crafts, jewelry and typical batiks and sarongs.
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L’Epicerie d’Armelle
Walking toward the beach, take a left at the main intersection and you’ll find L’Epicerie d’Armelle, a little storefront next to Caribe Fun Rentals selling gourmet French meats, cheeses, wines and other delicacies.
reviewed
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Supermercado £1
The largest grocery store is Supermercado £1; it’s not uncommon for a power outage to occur here in the middle of the day. The 2nd-floor pool hall makes it easy to spot on the main drag.
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Escuela Salsa Caribe
To hold your own on the dance floor, or at the very least to avoid embarrassment, stop by the Escuela Salsa Caribe for private (US$18 per hour) and group merengue or salsa classes.
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Nuevo Mundo
This discotheque, close to the heart of the tourist enclave, is popular with locals and is a good place to get down to merengue and bachata in a typically Dominican way.
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Cayacoa Restaurant
This restaurant along the Malecón with menus of fish, meat and pasta has excellent vantages from which to watch the world go by very slowly, or for a drink late into the evening.
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Restaurant Mate Rosada
This restaurant along the Malecón with menus of fish, meat and pasta has excellent vantages from which to watch the world go by very slowly, or for a drink late into the evening.
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