Gran Bahía Principe Cayacoa

Península de Samaná


Perched on a cliff above the city with spectacular views of the bay (and maybe even of humpbacks during whale season), this 295-room resort is Samaná town's fanciest. Standard rooms boast vanilla accents, and there are three pools, three restaurants (Italian, French and seafood), a casino, a spa, a watersports center, a discotheque and two beaches.

The more intimate, 23-room Villa Playa section is best for those seeking a less resorty feel. Elsewhere, the main beach is accessed via a handy outdoor elevator. Wi-fi is free in the lobby only and guests are shuttled back and forth to town hourly. Though food and rooms are less attractive than at the sister property on Cayo Levantado, it's a pleasant escape above town. Cheaper rates are available when booked with tour packages.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Península de Samaná attractions

1. El Museo de las Ballenas

0.2 MILES

The little-visited, old fashioned Whale Museum is housed in a dilapidated building south of the center. It won't tell you more than you'll get on a whale…

2. Playa las Flechas

1.67 MILES

This small beach, 5km east of Samaná, is easily accessible from town. It's thought by many historians to be the site of a small and short battle between…

3. Cayo Levantado

4.55 MILES

A gorgeous public beach lies on the western third of this lush island, 7km from Samaná. It's the only section that's open to the public – a five-star…

4. Playa Rincón

8.54 MILES

Pitch-perfect Playa Rincón, with soft, nearly white sand and multihued water good for swimming, stretches an uninterrupted 3km – enough for every day…

5. Cascada El Limón

8.7 MILES

Tucked away in surprisingly rough landscape, surrounded by peaks covered in lush greenery, is the 52m-high El Limón waterfall. A beautiful swimming hole…

6. Playita

10.76 MILES

Better than the beach in town, Playita (Little Beach) is easy to get to on foot or by motoconcho (motorcycle taxi). It’s a stretch of tannish sand and…

7. Parque Nacional Los Haitises

11.8 MILES

Around 9km west of Sabana de la Mar, Parque Nacional Los Haitises is certainly the best reason to visit this small bayside town. Its name means ‘land of…

8. Boca del Diablo

12.52 MILES

'Mouth of the Devil’ is an impressive vent or blowhole, where waves rush up a natural channel and blast out of a hole in the rocks. Car or motorcycle is…