SD-Samana,Tropical Lodge, Exploring Samana

[jalencastro]

thanks for the info fightfish, I will consider the drive over just to check out the night life! i'll be in the area 1 or 2 days....LOL

[fightfish]

Have a great time!

[jalencastro]

Originally Posted by fightfish

The malecon is Samana is very safe. Obviously on Friday and Saturday nights there is more action, but its a nice place to sit, eat, drink and watch the town and the bay. From LT to Samana driving your own vehicle should be 40 minutes more or less. It is a windy road, though in great condition, so take your time.

fightfish, if you happen to read this....I will be driving up from SD to Samana via the new highway. i am not sure how long it would take to actually get to Samana, am planning on catching an excursion to Los Haitises and need to leave SD real early since the trips I believe leave real early from Samana. I just want to give myself enough time to prepare and hope I am doing the right thing. What time should i leave SD? i am thinking 6amish.....

J

[samanasuenos]

Hi! I did stay at the Tropical Lodge. Yes, it was Less Inexpensive than the other places in town. AND. Most importantly to me, it was quiet. I walked all over town one afternoon visiting places, and they were all noisy. Silence is hard to find in town, and I found it at the Tropical Lodge.

I have traveled extensively, and enjoyed the place. On the other hand, my girls who came down from the USA, who are used to vacations in Mexico/Costa Rica, decided that the Tropical Lodge was too grey, shabby, cold water only from time to time, and just blah. They went to Las Galeras, stayed at the large place on the beach, and enjoyed themselves.

Again, I highly recommend the Tropical Lodge. The staff were honest and kind and friendly. The rooms safe.

And the silence at night was Golden.

-- Sammy

[drmaniac]

Originally Posted by sshabazz

Hello All,

My boyfriend and I are planning to travel to Samana from SD by Caribe Tour Bus next Friday:
1. Has anyone taken the Caribe Bus to Samana before? Anything we should know before departing at 7 am from SD?

2. Would anyone recommend the Hotel Tropical Lodge in Samana? We want to be frugal but don't want to sacrifice safety or cleanliness.

3. If not, would you recommend some other hotel? (cheap, clean, safe, good location)

4. Is it reasonable to base out of Samana and take day trips to other places like Las Terranas, Las Galeras, Sabana dela Mar (i.e. Is the transportation to/from cheap and easy to find)? Or should we just stay 2 days and 2 days somewhere else?

5. What's the best way to get to Puerto Plata from the Samana Pennisula? Time? Cost?

6. Will the guagua drivers have a problem with us traveling with luggage? (Large backpacks)

7. Best things to do on the Samana pennisula?

I know this is a lot of info I'm asking for, so thanks in advance for whatever advice you have to offer.

Hi!
I just came back from Samana peninsula. To base in Santa Barbara de Samana (alias Samana city) is the best choice if you want to make day trips to Las galeras (playa Rincon: unbelieveble!), Limon cascades and Las Terrenas: it is very easy and cheap to get there by gua-guas (you should leave you heavy baggage in the hotel...) which you can find in the mercado (market). A
nyway, you should know that reaching Las Terrenas takes you 1h 30 minutes, there are just few direct gua guas (all the others stop at El limon at least 15 minutes) and the last direct gua gua back to Samana leaves at 4.45 p.m. So you risk not to go to the most beautiful beach over there (playa Conson, which is 20 minutes away from las Terrenas downtown). So think of staying one night in las Terrenas to explore the area more confortably.

Moreover, I think that Metro bus from SD to Samana are the best, but I heard good feedback about Caribetours too

Enjoy!

[RonS]

Where did your girls stay in Las Galeras Sammy?

[bluepumpkin]

Originally Posted by London_Calling

IMO I would not stay in the town of Samana - nothing much to recommend it. Instead get off the Caribe Tour bus at Sanchez and go to Las Terranas/Playa Bonita - try Fata Morgana for a cheap option here - in land but nice garden, cheap and walking distance from Playa Bonita.

Alternatively stay on the bus to Samana and then gua gua to Las Galera - small village with a number of cheap options + fantastic beaches and access to Rincon.

I readily agree with this post. I have been to both Las Terranas and Las Galera. Both are nice although I liked Las Galera more. A little less crowded...