Things to do — Samaná

Samaná Town is a practical base for excursions more than urban visit. Typical 2-3 day itinerary:

Day 1 — Humpback whale watching (January-March only, departure 8am or 1pm, 3-4h at sea, €75-90/person). Whale Samaná with Kim Beddall is the reference operator. Outside whale season, Cayo Levantado day (€25-40, 20 min by boat, paradise beach, snorkelling, lunch).

Day 2 — El Limón waterfall (€30-50, half day, horse or foot hike in jungle, swimming in natural pool at the foot of 40 m falls). Free afternoon at Samaná Town: morning fish market, renovated malecón, cayos bridge (pedestrian walkway offering panoramic bay and islet views), nearby beaches (Cayo Cacao, Playa El Valle if you have time).

Day 3 — Parque Nacional Los Haitises (€50-80, full day, departure Sabana de la Mar accessible by boat from Samaná Town). Boat through mangroves and karst islets, Taíno cave visits with petroglyphs (Cueva de la Línea, Cueva del Templo, Cueva Arena), bird watching (frigates, pelicans, ibises). One of the country's most beautiful nature experiences.

In-town visits: morning fish market (port, authentic atmosphere 7-10am), renovated malecón and seafront, Santa Bárbara church (Creole architecture, heritage of 1824 Afro-American refugees — descendants of American freed slaves who colonised the peninsula at the time of the independent Dominican Republic).

Restaurants: Maharaja (Indo-fusion cuisine, €25-40/person), La Mata Rosada (Dominican cuisine, €15-25), Restaurant Le France (French cuisine, €25-40), Punto Italia (Italian, €15-25). For fresh local fish, port restaurants (€10-20/person, lobster €25-30).

Nightlife: limited, rather family-friendly atmosphere. Malecón bars, evenings at the big resorts (Bahia Principe). For livelier atmosphere, transfer to Las Terrenas (1h).