In the extreme northeast of the Dominican Republic, with its 60 km. of longitude and its 20 km. of wideness, the peninsula of Samaná concentrates all the wonders and contrasts of the island: mountains, tropical forests, spectacular beaches, waterfalls, undiscovered caves, traditional villages, leaving behind the ordinary mass tourism. Named as the most appealing part of the whole country, Samaná peninsula offers a different ambiente from the rest: during your stay you will notice that the kindness of inhabitants is an every-day reality.

fishing boats on the beach.

Las Terrenas, lost in a paradisiac forest of coconut trees, with its wild beaches of powderly white sand, lives in a nonchalant but active rythm where you can still breath the air of its old fisherman village. It is the best place to recomend to independent travellers since the place offers a big amount of unforgettable excursions, 28 km. of white sandy beaches with green-blue sea, a decent nightlife scene and a cheerful and calm ambiente enclosed from the typical music and the bright colours which combine the native spirit of its inhabitants.

Traditions and popular Customs

Merengue can be said to be the dominican national dance. The music is both, played and danced in every corner of the country. Other folkloric dances are the Bachata, Baile de los Palos, Carabine, etc.

The country organizes a big event during the last week of July and the first of August: the Merengue festival, where Santo Domingo is the epicentre of the rhythm. Another merengue festival is organised in Puerto Plata during the first October week.

21st of January, Nuestra Señora de Altagracia, the patron saint day of all Dominicans.

26th of February, Día de Duarte, the week that celebrates the Fathers of the Land,with great pride, flags and commemorative acts.

Carnaval, the most popular are the carnavals of Santo Domingo and Santiago celebrated the last Sunday in February. Other carnavals are celebrated at different times throughout the year in different Dominican provinces.

Semana Santa (Holy week), the best time to visit Sosúa, where people from every part of the country participate in different sport-competitions : it is fun to watch the competitions during day and night from one of the crowded bars or restaurants.

New Year’s Eve, is celebrated in every corner of the country with concerts, dances and live music bands playing until the sun rises upon the New Year in the Caribbean.

More events

Cultural Festival, is celebrated in June in Puerto Plata, a week full of jazz, blues, merengue and folk concerts.

Cabarete Alegria, is celebrated during the month of February in the whole country where different activities take place, the most famous is the internationally known Encuentro Classic, an incredible performance of Wind Surf that gathers together a big amount of wind-surf stars from the world.