The region of Samana is certainly one
of the most fascinating spots on the island

The beautiful beaches are easily accessible only since recently due to the new international airport El Catey as well as the new highway that connects Samana with the capital, Santo Domingo, which is only 45 miles away. Before these two infrastructural knots were built, few Dominicans had access to the three major beaches of the region: Samana Bay, Las Terrenas, and Las Galeras; it was a five-hour drive through hardly trafficable streets and trails. The only motivation to access the bay for international visitors was the annual whale-watching ritual: hundreds of whales stop here every year on their migration in order to mate. However, Samana was always an isolated and virgin piece of land. Now it is becoming a hot spot, nevertheless well protected according to developmental and environmental standards in order to guarantee its preservation.