Where to stay in Samaná: 4 best areas & hotels

Choosing where to stay in Samaná is not so simple. When traveling to this region of the Dominican Republic, Samaná may be considered a specific destination, but actually, it´s quite an extensive peninsula.

There are different beach areas, at a considerable distance from each other. That´s why we must choose pretty well the location or the beach before looking for a hotel, lodging, or all-inclusive resort, because it will be where we spend more time.

This destination in Dominican Republic is becoming really famous for its nature, its wildest state and its incredible beaches with a few hotels to sleep in, suitable for all tastes.

In this article I´m going to tell you where to look for an ideal accommodation according to your preferences and your travel budget, by recommending you hotels in the best areas of Samaná.

The best places to stay in Samaná

1. Santa Bárbara de Samaná, sleep in the main city

When speaking of Samaná, they often refer to Santa Bárbara de Samaná, the main urban center of the peninsula. Although it is a city, it has more of a big town spirit.

In Santa Bárbara there are the typical colorful colonial houses, and although there are not so many, they are fascinating. There’s also a nice boardwalk and a pedestrian bridge over some keys, which starts from the Cayacoa beach and from where there are picturesque views of the town.

If you stay in the town, it’ll be easier to do the excursions on your own, since from Santa Bárbara’s dock you can take a boat to spend the day at the public Cayo Levantado beach, a small island off the coast that I will talk about later.

The downside is that the beaches are not the best.

Hotel recommendations

• Budget $: Casa Docia | Samaná Spring
• Midrange $$: Villa Alegria
• Luxury $$$: Bahia Principe Cayacoa (all inclusive) | Bannister Hotel & Yatch Club

🚩 If you’re going to travel to the Samaná peninsula between January and March, you’ll be able to see humpback whales that go to the coast to mate. It’s high season and we recommend booking accommodation in advance to get availability and better prices. You can book the tour here.

2. Las Terrenas, the best area to stay in Samaná

Las Terrenas is one of the best areas to stay in Samaná and one of the most beautiful.

The beaches are extensive, with golden sand in a flatter environment, and the accommodations are distributed between the areas of Playa Bonita beach, El Portillo beach and Playa Cosón beach.

The fisherman’s village has a nice atmosphere, with restaurants and places to go out for a drink at sunset. We could say that here is Samaná’s entertainment center. Don’t imagine Ibiza either, we’re always talking about a relaxed environment. You´ll find places to eat of different ranges, in case you aren’t staying in an All Inclusive.

Besides, you’ll be very close to Salto el Limón, which is one of the tours to do in Samaná.

As I was saying, in Las Terrenas there are several lodging alternatives, from all-inclusive hotels to hostels and apartments. Here are some of the ones we recommend considering quality-price relation, while having the plus of being located in the best area to stay in Samaná.

All the ones that we recommend are near the sea. But bear in mind there are other really good accommodations, though several kilometers from the coast, meaning you will have to walk a lot to get to the sea or rent a car if you choose them.

Best hotels in Las Terrenas for Any Budget

• Hostels: Afreeka Beach | Casa Delfin
• Budget $: Mahona | Costarena Beach
• Midrange $$: Casa Coson | Casa Grande | Alisei
• Luxury $$$: Bahia Principe el Portillo (all inclusive) | Viva Wyndham Samana (all inclusive)
• Apartments: Sublime Samana | Aligio | Playa Colibri | Albachiara

Although I mention several options in each price range, and they are all great, we have our favorites for one reason or the other (beach, service, or facilities) and they are the ones in which we would first check if there’s room: Mahona, Alisei, Portillo and Playa Colibri.

3. Las Galeras, ideal if you are looking for tranquility

Las Galeras is at the extreme of the Samaná peninsula. It’s a quiet and virgin area, with less tourism, and ideal if you’re looking to disconnect a bit.

The beaches in this area are wonderful and there are several that are among the best beaches in Samaná, such as Playa Rincón beach, considered one of the most beautiful in the country. Las Galeras beach is very beautiful, but even better is La Playita beach, a few minutes’ walk.

If you don’t mind that the place is too quiet, it’s a good option, since you will have the postcard-like beaches closer. And from here you can do this excursion that takes you to several beaches in one day. If not, Las Terrenas is a more complete area to stay in Samaná.

Best hotels to stay in Las Galeras

• Hostel in Las Galeras: La Ballena
• Budget $: 21 Palms | Solazul | Las Galeras Hotel
• Midrange $$: Tropical Village
• Luxury $$$: Grand Paradise Samana (all inclusive) | Hotel Todo Blanco | Villa Serena
• Apartments: El Pelicano | La Isleta

The Grand Paradise Samana is a mid-range hotel even though it is all-inclusive. If you’re looking for a more luxurious hotel, I recommend that you focus on one of those mentioned in the other areas, or that you read later the point that I exclusively dedicate to all-inclusive hotels in Samaná.

4. Cayo Levantado, to stay in a luxury place in Samaná

Cayo Levantado is a small island off the southern coast of the Samaná peninsula, which is accessed by boat.

In Cayo Levantado there is only one hotel, and not just any: it’s the Bahía Príncipe Cayo Levantado hotel, which is considered one of the best all-inclusive in the world. If your budget allows it, and you’re looking for privacy, tranquility and exclusivity in a hotel with exquisite services don’t hesitate and stay in for a couple of nights here.

It’s the perfect option for a honeymoon or a romantic trip.

The Bahia Principe Cayo Levantado has different kinds of rooms: Superior Room, Beach Villa, Junior Suite, Superior Junior Suite, and Deluxe Suite. Several of them include a balcony and Jacuzzi.

Like most all-inclusives, the hotel has a buffet restaurant and several themed ones, and there’s a show every night.

There’s a public beach on the island, but it’s worth clarifying that only those who stay there can use the resort facilities and private beaches. That is to say, if you go to Cayo Levantado to spend the day, you’ll be on the public beach, not in the beach area of ​​the resort.

Where to stay in Samaná: Is it better to stay in Samaná or Las Terrenas?

It’s likely that you prefer a more central location on the peninsula, to be able to tour and hike. So, your decision would be between sleeping in Samaná or Las Terrenas.

Personally, I lean towards Las Terrenas. Why? There are more accommodation alternatives, beautiful beaches, and great nightlife. Besides, almost all excursions can start from there.

🌴 Have a look at the article in which we explain which are the best beaches in Samaná (in our opinion)

All-inclusive hotels in Samaná: Bahía Príncipe vs the others

If you want to stay in an all-inclusive plan, you’ll find that in Samaná there are not as many options as in other places in the Dominican Republic, such as in Punta Cana. And it’s better to continue that way, more natural because after all, this is what we like about Samaná.

The all-inclusive hotel chain mostly found in Samaná is the Bahía Príncipe. The one with the highest level, and therefore more expensive, is that of Cayo Levantado that I already explained. It’s an ideal hotel if you’re looking for more exclusive and luxurious accommodation, with first-class services.

But if you prefer to visit other places in Samaná, and not just stay on a hotel beach, I would stay in one of the others that are in the peninsula (if you stay in the key, there’s a catamaran to come and go regularly, but it depends on their schedules).

Above all, I recommend El Portillo, about 4 km from Las Terrenas, which is also on a very beautiful and large beach, without waves as if it were a pool, and very close to visit El Limón waterfall.

Other options are the Grand Cayacoa in Santa Bárbara, which although it has very nice views, the beach is not the best. There’s also the Grand Paradise in Las Galeras area, an all-inclusive much simpler than the rest.

The Viva Wyndham V is on Cosón beach in Las Terrenas, which has more waves than the El Portillo area and fewer people. A characteristic of this hotel is that it’s for adults only, which makes it quieter, so it can also be a good alternative for a honeymoon or a romantic trip.

The issue about choosing a hotel in Samaná is something very personal, and although I prefer location and beach above all else, many people decide only based on the services of the resort.

In short, if you’re looking only for a beach and a first-class hotel, then Cayo Levantado is the answer. If you prefer to explore the peninsula more comfortably, you can choose any of the others. Or even better, if you have enough days, you could combine a few days in the key and other days in the peninsula, in the area of ​​Las Terrenas or Las Galeras.

Best Budget Hotels in Samaná

As for cheap accommodation in Samaná, all those $ that I mention in each area, are cheap.

Among them, one of the cheapest is the Casa Delfín, in Las Terrenas. If you could spend a little more, there’s the Mahona that has a great quality-price relation.

In the Galeras area, 21 Palms is one of the cheapest and with excellent opinions, as are the two apartments I mentioned before, which will also allow you to cook or prepare your breakfast, and thus save money.

Anyway, I dare say that any of the ones I referred to, are very well priced, with a good location near the sea, and opinions of the best. But if you doubt which of them is best for you, leave us a comment at the end of the article and we will help you decide with pleasure.

How to get to Samaná and how to get around

To get to Samaná you can hire private transfers here from La Romana airport, Santiago, or Puerto Plata. Once in Samaná, the best thing to do in this area is rent a car. In places like Punta Cana or Bayahibe, it’s not really necessary, but in Samaná, it seems pretty convenient since the places to see are distant and, if you’re traveling with several people, the excursions will be expensive.

Besides, the routes are considerably quiet, unlike other areas of the country, and with very beautiful views. Having a car can give you access to all the sites on your own, devoting one day to each area.

How to go from Santo Domingo or Punta Cana to Samana:

From both cities, there’s a toll road (rather expensive) for most of the way to Samaná, and you can travel with peace of mind (for which you could even rent a car at the airport you arrive at and go straight to Samaná). It’s closer from Santo Domingo, so it would be better if you arrive at this airport.

The website we search whenever we need to hire a car is RentalCars, because it compares several rental companies and always gives you the best price.

If you’re going to drive, always during the day! At night, it can be unsafe for obvious reasons and animal crossing. Moreover, in Samaná area there are many curves, so you have to drive carefully.

In case you don’t want to rent a car, you will have to hire excursions or move by taxi.

From Santa Bárbara there are buses (called guaguas) which go to Las Terrenas and also to Las Galeras. They’re the backpacking option, although it requires more time.

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We hope this selection of hotels to stay in Samaná has helped you. If you know any other to recommend because you have stayed, or you have any questions, you can leave them in the comments and we will gladly help you!