Samaná Essential — Los Haitises and Cayo Levantado from Santo Domingo
Discover two of Samaná's great natural treasures in an experience organized from Santo Domingo. Travel in an air-conditioned executive van with water, non-alcoholic drinks, Wi-Fi and a maximum of eight passengers, then explore Los Haitises by boat among mangroves, rock formations and caves with Taíno pictographs, and enjoy Cayo Levantado with a Dominican lunch and beach time.
Book my seatWhy Samaná is worth the drive
Los Haitises: caves, mangroves and the Caribbean you don't see from the beach
Los Haitises National Park is one of the most impressive natural treasures of the Dominican Republic. The boat tour takes you between vegetation-covered mogotes, into caves with Taíno pictographs and through mangrove channels where the water is so still it looks like a mirror. The visit to the caves and pictographs is included by the operator.
Cayo Levantado, the island from the rum ad
The Bacardí ads were filmed here, which is why half the world calls it Bacardí Island. It is a small cay in the middle of the bay: pale sand, palm trees and calm water shallow enough to stand in. The round-trip boat is included in your seat.
From January to March, the bay fills with whales
Every winter thousands of humpback whales cross the Atlantic to mate and calve in this bay. The season runs from mid-January to late March and it is one of the best places on earth to see them. We take you to Samaná; the whale-watching boat is booked there at the port and is not included in the price.
The boardwalk and the bridge to nowhere
The boardwalk in Santa Bárbara de Samaná is the heart of town: you walk it, look out over the bay and watch the boats leave. From there begins the famous footbridge that hops from islet to islet over the water, with the best view of the whole town.
Fish in coconut: Samaná does not cook like the rest
Samaná cooks its fish in coconut milk, and its coconut sweets are famous across the country. It is the legacy of the African American families who arrived in 1824 and stayed. Your Dominican lunch is included at Cayo Levantado; if you also want to try the coconut sweets or a local treat, that is on you.
Your route to Samaná
5:00 AM
Pickup
Your hotel, Airbnb or residence in Santo Domingo
6:00 AM
Departure from Santo Domingo
Ground journey begins
9:00 AM
Maritime departure from Samaná
Main Pier of Samaná, across from Banco Popular. Departure between 9:15 and 9:30 AM
Free time
Los Haitises and Cayo Levantado
Boat tour through Los Haitises among mangroves, caves and Taíno pictographs, then Cayo Levantado with Dominican lunch and beach time
4:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Return
Return to pier between 3:45 and 4:30 PM. Then ground trip to Santo Domingo
Gallery
What your trip includes
US$98 per person
- Pickup at your hotel, Airbnb or residence within the coverage area
- Round-trip transport from Santo Domingo
- Air-conditioned executive van
- Maximum eight passengers in the van
- Water, non-alcoholic drinks and internet during the transfer
- Boat tour through Los Haitises
- Cruise among mangroves and rock formations
- Visit to the caves and Taíno pictographs included by the operator
- Visit to Cayo Levantado
- Dominican lunch
- Free time for the beach and swimming
- Beach chairs
- Welcome by a team member in Samaná
- Daily departures from two passengers
- Cancellation and rescheduling under eTours conditions
Not included: alcoholic drinks, whale watching (booked separately), optional activities at the destination, souvenirs and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
What does the Samaná Essential trip include?
US$98 per person, including pickup at your hotel, Airbnb or residence in Santo Domingo, round-trip transport in an air-conditioned executive van seating up to eight passengers, water and non-alcoholic drinks, the boat tour through Los Haitises among mangroves, rock formations and caves with Taíno pictographs, Cayo Levantado with a Dominican lunch, beach chairs and free time. You are welcomed by a team member in Samaná.
Does this service include the boat to Cayo Levantado?
Yes. The price includes the boat tour through Los Haitises and Cayo Levantado, plus the Dominican lunch. It does not include alcoholic drinks or the other destination activities, such as whale watching or the El Limón waterfall: those are arranged separately.
What time is pickup in Santo Domingo?
Pickup starts at 5:00 AM at your accommodation in Santo Domingo and we depart at 6:00 AM. The return leaves at 4:00 PM and you are back in Santo Domingo around 7:00 PM.
How many people travel in the van?
Eight passengers per van at most, with door-to-door pickup and a short route.
Start your journey to Samana
Fill in the form and we'll contact you on WhatsApp to confirm your transport and coordinate payment.
Adults-only service · No children allowed
Ready to travel to Samaná?
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