Private Samaná: Bay Expedition
Samana, Dominican Republic
From USD 141.00
Office phone number: +8 09 748 4799 or +1 829 285 7733
Private Samaná: Bay Expedition
Samana, Dominican Republic
Culture shock rating
Worried we’re going to shock your senses? Relax! We believe part of the fun of travel is immersing yourself in the destination and its culture, meeting the people, and learning what makes the place tick. We’ve got a wide range of tours with something for everybody. The cultural shock rating ranks how different the experience is from most Western cultures. But no matter the level, don’t worry, you’ll have a local, in-the-know guide with you every step of the way.
Low
Consider these tours your 101 intro to a place. Transportation might be private or a very comfortable public option, and the activities are usually visits to iconic sites and locations that are familiar to most Western cultures – but that will still give you fantastic insight into a destination.
Medium
Expect to rough it for parts of this tour, whether that’s on a packed public bus or in a local market off the tourist trail. There might be a few language barriers or unfamiliar cultural customs, and you’ll get an experience different from what you're used to at home.
High
You're out there in the global community! We’re going to take you down streets you’d rarely explore on your own, introduce you to local customs and languages, and take you for a ride in whatever transport is available. Get ready to take it as it comes, whatever comes. There might be a shock, but oh man, it’s worth it.
Physical rating
Worried our tours are too tough? Relax! From leisurely strolls to muscle-burning treks, we’ve got a wide range of tours with something for everybody. The physical grading gives you an idea of how much huffing and puffing you can expect on the tour.
Low
Slow and steady is all you need here. These tours have very limited physical activity, such as walking relatively flat streets, sites, or markets, and climbing in and out of the transport provided.
Medium
Not too hard, not too soft, these tours are just right! You can expect a bit of physical activity, but nothing overly challenging – perhaps walking up and down hills, riding a bike for up to 30 kilometers along mostly flat terrain, or jumping in a kayak for a gentle paddle on flat water.
High
Get ready for a workout! These tours are our most challenging and involve intense walking, hiking, kayaking, swimming, or bike riding. You could be making steep climbs by foot or pedal, or working your core in the water. We recommend you have a good level of fitness to join this tour.
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Tour snapshot
Channel your inner Indiana Jones on an extraordinary Caribbean adventure that mixes archeology, caving, boat rides and exotic wildlife. Explore the ancient cave drawings of the Taino people, take a leisurely hike through the rainforest and enjoy a refreshing dip at a secret beach location. To finish things off, we’ll sit down together and enjoy a delicious lunch made up of traditional, local dishes. You will go home safe in the knowledge that, like Indy, you chose your tour wisely…
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Highlights
- Cross the tropical paradise of Samaná Bay on a ferry boat as the locals do
- Discover the caves and admire the intricate wall paintings of the Taino people
- Enjoy a boat ride through the mangrove forest, between the islands of the national park
- Take a refreshing dip in the ocean at a secluded beach only locals know about
- Eat a delicious local lunch at Sabana de La Mar
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Schedule details
- Duration: 8 hours
- Meeting point:
Samaná Malecon. Beside the sea, in front of Calle Duarte.
View on Google Maps.
- Starting time: 8.30 AM
- Ending point:
Samaná Malecon. Besides de Mirador at the sea, In front of Calle Duarte.
Language: English
Inclusions: Local English-speaking guide, ferry boat fees, boat ride to Los Haitises, local transportation, National Park entrance fee, light refreshments during the tour (1 bottle of water, sweet wafers, soda), Dominican-style lunch.
Exclusions: Additional food or drink, items of a personal nature, and tips / gratuities for your guide.
Your adventure begins as we board the local ferry boat that will escort us on a dazzling journey across the bay from Samana to Sabana de la Mar.
From here we’ll take a ride through the countryside. Your mode of transportation will depend on the number of people in your group. If there are less than 3 of you, we’ll take a motorcycle (locals call it a motoconcho), and for 4 persons or more we’ll hop in the back of a pickup truck as the locals do and enjoy the fresh breeze of the countryside on our faces as we go.
Once we arrive in Caño Hondo, on the outskirts of the National Park, we’ll jump on a traditional boat which will then take us through one of the largest mangrove forests on the island. This forest is a treasure trove of exotic wildlife and as we glide along your guide will chat to you about the environmental significance and importance of these wetlands.
Entering San Lorenzo bay, you will be blown away by the rock formations of Los Haitises National Park, considered to be one of the natural wonders of the Caribbean, comparable to Halong Bay in Vietnam and Viñales in Cuba. Our captain will lead the boat through small rock alleys that only a small boat can access.
We’ll visit the Sand Cave and stop to admire the striking speleothems and petroglyphs hand-carved by the aboriginals. We’ll also spend some time exploring the Line Cave with its countless Taino people pictographs. Here you’ll learn about the culture of the original inhabitants of the Dominican Republic.
Next up, we’ll take you to one of our favourite secluded beaches for a refreshing dip in the Caribbean Sea.
Then we’ll whisk you off for a delicious, traditional lunch at a local restaurant in Sabana de La Mar, a delightful old city full of history, which we’ll talk about over lunch.
After you’re feeling full and satisfied, it’s time to get back on the ferry for more exquisite views of the Bay as we head back to Samana, where your tour ends.
Your guide will be more than happy to help you find your way back to your accommodation. Don’t forget to ask for more tips of what else to see, do and eat during your stay in the Dominican Republic. Make sure you check out our other tours on the island, too!
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Additional information
Inclusions: Local English-speaking guide, ferry boat fees, boat ride to Los Haitises, local transportation, National Park entrance fee, light refreshments during the tour (1 bottle of water, sweet wafers, soda), Dominican-style lunch.
Exclusions: Additional food or drink, items of a personal nature, and tips / gratuities for your guide.
Dress standard: Please bring comfortable clothes, closed-toe shoes, swimming clothes, a towel, an extra set of dry clothes and sunscreen. We’d also highly recommend a camera and extra cash for tips, souvenirs and photos.
Your Trip: For your Urban Adventure you will be in a small group of a maximum of 12 people.
Confirmation of booking: If you have your voucher, your booking is confirmed. We'll see you at the start point. Get in touch if you have any concerns or require more information via the email address or phone number (business hours only) on your voucher.
Child Policy: Children between the ages of 6 and 11 inclusively are permitted on this tour at the rate listed above. Please select ‘child’ above when booking. Children below the age of 6 are not permitted to join this tour.
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Local contact
Office phone number: +8 09 748 4799 or +1 829 285 7733
Email address: info@samanaurbanadventures.com
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