Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
EASTERN PENÍNSULA DE SAMANÁ
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Samaná
POP 33,196
While Las Terrenas and Las Galeras can boast pristine swaths of sand and a sophisticated
international vibe, Samaná town is mostly content to trudge along as the gritty workhorse
of the peninsula. It would be worth little more than a backwards glance in the rearview mir-
ror for most tourists were it not for the whale-watching on offer here.
The first expedition to see the North Atlantic humpback whales that pass through the wa-
ters off the town was in 1985, and every year since then, from mid-January to mid-March,
the town springs into life with the influx of tourists coming to catch glimpses of these mag-
nificent aquatic mammals. Because North Atlantic humpbacks find the bay water particu-
larly suitable for their annual version of speed dating, the commercialization of this natural
spectacle has single-handedly catapulted the town's tourism status - for a few months each
year at least - to world-renowned.
Attempts are being made to inject some class and cash into the place, including recently
paved streets, some waterfront renovation, and controversial plans for a new cruise ship
terminal/water park. Despite this, Samaná - officially Santa Bárbara de Samaná - main-
tains a somnolent air for most of the year.
