Samaná Peninsula
Visitors come for humpback whales in Samaná Bay, the peninsula's many beaches and boat trips to Los Haitises National Park.
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The Samaná Peninsula sits in the northeast of the Dominican Republic, in Samaná Province. The isthmus of Samaná joins it to the rest of the country, and Samaná Bay lies on its south side. Its many beaches, especially around the town of Santa Bárbara de Samaná, are the main reason to come. The Ciguayos were the first people to live here, and they spoke the Ciguayo language when the Spanish arrived. Agriculture and tourism are the main economic activities today.
Humpback whales are the peninsula's best-known draw. From January to March they gather in Samaná Bay, and boat trips go out to see them. Boats also reach Los Haitises National Park, a park of karst islands and mangroves. Samaná El Catey International Airport is the most direct air access point, and the Samaná Highway runs from the peninsula to Santo Domingo. Plan four to five days to cover the whales, the beaches and a trip to Los Haitises.
Samaná Peninsula in five
- Time the trip for whale seasonHumpbacks come to Samaná Bay to breed from about mid-January to late March. Boats leave from Samaná town; choose an operator that follows the bay's watching rules.
- Pick Las Terrenas or Las GalerasLas Terrenas has more places to eat and a long beach; Las Galeras, at the eastern end, is smaller and quieter, with boat trips to remote beaches.
- Visit Los Haitises by boatThe national park's mangroves, caves and limestone islets are reached on guided boat trips across the bay from Samaná town.
- Rent a car or hire driversPublic transport between the towns is by shared minibus and motorbike taxi. A car makes day trips to beaches and the waterfall easier.
Need to know
- Airport
- El Catey (AZS), about 30–45 min to Las Terrenas
- Getting there
- About 2.5 hours by road from Santo Domingo
- Getting around
- Car, minibuses and motorbike taxis
- Best base
- Las Terrenas for choice, Las Galeras for quiet
- Time needed
- 3–5 days
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Days with storms
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- JanuaryRain19 rainy daysHigh27°Low22°Whales arriveJanuaryRain
Best
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 89 mm
- Rainy days
- 19
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Whales arrive
- FebruaryRain20 rainy daysHigh27°Low22°Whale seasonFebruaryRain
Best
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 89 mm
- Rainy days
- 20
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Whale season
- MarchRain19 rainy daysHigh27°Low22°Whale seasonMarchRain
Best
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 90 mm
- Rainy days
- 19
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Whale season
- AprilRain21 rainy daysHigh28°Low23°Warm, drierAprilRain
Good
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 137 mm
- Rainy days
- 21
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, drier
- MayRain23 rainy daysHigh29°Low24°Rains startMayRain
Good
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 142 mm
- Rainy days
- 23
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rains start
- JuneRain19 rainy daysHigh30°Low25°Hurricane seasonJuneRain
Good
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 98 mm
- Rainy days
- 19
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hurricane season
- JulyRain24 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh30°Low25°Hot, humidJulyRain
Mixed
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 160 mm
- Rainy days
- 24
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Hot, humid
- AugustRain24 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh30°Low25°Hurricane riskAugustRain
Mixed
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 166 mm
- Rainy days
- 24
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Hurricane risk
- SeptemberRain23 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh30°Low25°Peak hurricanesSeptemberRain
Mixed
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 210 mm
- Rainy days
- 23
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Peak hurricanes
- OctoberRain23 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh30°Low25°Hurricane riskOctoberRain
Mixed
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 195 mm
- Rainy days
- 23
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Hurricane risk
- NovemberRain24 rainy daysHigh28°Low24°RainyNovemberRain
Mixed
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 228 mm
- Rainy days
- 24
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rainy
- DecemberRain21 rainy daysHigh27°Low23°Dry, holidaysDecemberRain
Good
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 153 mm
- Rainy days
- 21
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, holidays
Average daily high and low in Samaná, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Samaná Peninsula
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
29
- Feels like
- 33°
- Humidity
- 74%
- Wind
- 13 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 78%
Samaná Peninsula
04:41 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today28°23°78%Monday: Thunderstorms. High 28°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 78%.
- Tue30°24°57%Tuesday: Thunderstorms. High 30°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 57%.
- Wed30°24°73%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 73%.
- Thu30°23°90%Thursday: Thunderstorms. High 30°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 90%.
- Fri30°23°88%Friday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 88%.
- Sat30°23°57%Saturday: Partly cloudy. High 30°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 57%.
- Sun29°23°40%Sunday: Drizzle. High 29°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 40%.
Updated 04:35 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 60.72 DOP
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Los Haitises National Parkby boat from the south coastMangrove channels, caves with ancient rock art, and seabirds, reached by boat from the south coast.
- Cayo Levantadoby boat from Samaná BayA small island with white sand beaches, a short boat ride from Samaná Bay.
- Santo Domingoby road on the Samaná HighwayThe capital, reached on the Samaná Highway for its colonial old town and museums.
Before you go to Samaná Peninsula
We may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.
Rules for Samaná Peninsula, checked
- Visitors need a tourist card to enter the Dominican Republic, even when no visa is required; check the rules on the Foreign Ministry site (mirex.gob.do).Source
- Whale-watching boats in Samaná Bay follow approach rules for humpback whales. Ask your operator which rules it applies.
- Keep Dominican pesos for small beach and roadside vendors and motoconchos, which often do not take cards.
- Dial 911 for police, ambulance or fire; save your travel insurer's assistance number before you leave.
Plan around Samaná Peninsula
The capital, about 2.5 hours by road
Read the guidePunta CanaThe resort coast at the eastern tip
Read the guideAll of the Dominican RepublicEntry, money and the regions
Read the guideGetting aroundCar hire, buses and transfers compared
Read the guideInsurance for boat tripsCover for boat days and storm delays
Read the guideSamaná Peninsula FAQ
When can you see whales in Samaná?
From about mid-January to late March, with the most whales usually in February. Trips run from Samaná town and last a few hours.
How do I get to Las Terrenas?
Fly to El Catey, or drive about 2.5 hours from Santo Domingo on the highway to the peninsula. Buses also run from the capital.
Is the El Limón waterfall worth it?
Yes, if you do not mind a muddy walk or a horse ride of about 30–60 minutes each way. Wear shoes with grip and bring swimwear.
Is Samaná quieter than Punta Cana?
Yes. The peninsula has small hotels and beach towns instead of mega-resorts, but it is less polished: roads are rougher and evenings are low-key.
Can you visit Los Haitises from Samaná town?
Yes. Boats cross the bay to Los Haitises National Park on guided half-day trips through mangroves, caves and limestone islets. Sea conditions decide whether they run, so book flexibly.