The Samaná Peninsula juts out into the Atlantic and until the late 1800s, when sediment filled its narrow channel, was an island. Fought over by the French (it was briefly owned by Napoleon), Haitians and British, in the mid-1800s the U.S. government tried twice to buy it. It's now the embodiment of the Caribbean, with endless, deserted beaches dotted with coconut trees meeting calm turquoise waters. The largest city on the peninsula is Santa Bárbara de Samaná, or Samaná, a port town that overlooks the country's largest bay, Bahia de Samaná.
The middle of the peninsula consists of high mountain passes that host magnificent views, lush tropical forests, and a number of waterfalls, including the incredible El Limón. But it's best known for the 10,000 North Atlantic Humpback whales that migrate to its warm waters to mate and to nurse their young every January through March. Boat excursions from Samaná take groups just outside the bay to watch these incredible creatures, now protected by national and international efforts, frolic in the sea.
Until a few years ago, Las Galeras was yet another small fishing village with untouched natural beauty. Near Samaná, it was wealthy Dominicans who were first to discover this secret paradise as a vacation destination. Since then, the village has grown to include new hotels, restaurants and shops. But because Las Galeras is not really on the beaten path, and is a little more difficult to get to than many other tourism destinations, it has still managed to maintain its small village charm and laid back atmosphere. The key reason to visit Las Galeras is its tranquil horseshoe-shaped cove of powder white sand, clear Caribbean green waters and picturesque surroundings. Some visitors stay in Las Galeras if they're going on a whale-watching excursion from nearby Samaná. Another popular activity is to take a boat to beautiful Playa Rincón and other beaches virtually impossible to access otherwise. You might just discover your inner Robinson Crusoe here.
The small island of Cayo Levantado is its own little piece of paradise just off the Samaná Peninsula. The sand is a soft baby powder white and the turquoise waters are absolutely crystal clear. You can lie on the beach and catch some sun, or snorkel and swim in the warm, calm Caribbean waters surrounding it. The island attracts its fair share of tourists but still preserves its tropical charm.