Oh how beautiful is Samana

The Dominican Republic is known for many things, but one of the most famous destinations is the Samana Peninsula. Especially in the spring months, there are many humpback whales in the bay that have swum there to mate and give birth to their young. Of course, we also wanted to see the whales. However, boat trips cost 50€ or more, and after some consideration, we decided to spend our money on something that we would enjoy more and that maybe is not so touristy.

But Anna and I still wanted to see Samana and the city. So we did a day trip on Sunday. The bus ride from Santo Domingo to Samana takes three hours. I had imagined the city to be much bigger, but what it lacks in size, it makes up for with its idyllic setting and a stunning sea for diving and snorkeling.

We had packed swimwear, but no swimming or diving goggles, so we could only observe the fish and starfish from above.

But the city also offers other attractions, such as three islands connected by bridges and a life-size "model city" with few shops or restaurants.

As soon as we arrived, we made our way to the islands and looked for the beginning of the bridge. It is quite easy to find as there is also a large hotel next to it. The walk across the islands takes about an hour in total, and there are benches where you can rest along the way.

All of this was created because a millionaire wanted to build a restaurant on the last island. Some buildings are already standing, but after the death of this man, no one was interested in continuing the project. Therefore, entering the area is at your own risk or officially prohibited. But the view is worth it, and one of the islands even has a tiny beach with crystal clear water.

After this 'hike', we were naturally hungry and looked for a restaurant that was beautifully located and not expensive at all. However, except for the drinks, the food was really bad.

However, this did not stop us from buying a large ice cream afterwards and spending the rest of the time lounging on a grassy area right by the sea.

In total, we were there for about 5 hours and paid about 20€ per person including the transportation.