The Route from POP to Samana

[Ken]

Since when, Samana1? If so, it must be since I last went to Samana a couple of weeks ago. The road is in need of maintenance.

[Dolores]

Samana1: "Well their is a new road with reflectors on the ground, you can drive with no problems to Samana!!!! but not to Las Terrenas (the road from Sanchez to Las Terrenas is a nightmare)"

Are you talking about the El Limon highway? I'm a chicken for driving along curves and although that road is brand new and has its reflectors, give me the Las Terrenas road anytime and not the winding El Limon road. It actually takes about half an hour more from Las Terrenas to Sanchez along that road, which I would only recommend if you are headed to Samana and then for daytime driving.

But I think Ken and Hillbilly have set these fellows straight, sending them to the hotels in Sosua and then to take the Caribe Tours bus.

[Samana1]

Well the road from POP to Nagua are normal but the road from Nagua to Samaná are new or fixed road with reflectors on the ground i thought it was a new paved road with reflectors, when you arrive Sanchez some 7 km for Sanchez is the road normal but you can drive it. I hope you rent a Jeep thats the best to visit Samaná.

[Andy B]

Samana 1,
I don't know what road you're on but it's definately not the same one I regularly drive, the last time a week ago. Not only does the road not have reflectors, it hasn't been touched (other to temporarily patch the potholes that keep developing) in the 7 years I've been in Samana. And the stretch between Sanchez and Samana has gotten worse. A few potholes were patched on that stretch several months ago. Samana's roads have destroyed 2 sets of tires and the suspension on my Jeep Cherokee in just the past three years. Tell me about it.

Regardless of what you are telling these people, it's not wise to drive anywhere in the DR at night unless absolutely necessary (necessary as in "life threatening").

[Samana1]

Maybe you are right dont take the risk.

Well i have passes 5 times in the night from ... to Los Naranjitos de Las Terrenas, when i was in Nagua transit to Sanchez in the night i saw at the road relfectors im not blind but ok you are right its to dangerous to drive in the night. Well depart in the morning you can also enjoy the beautiful scenery.

Also for more information on www.samana-peninsula.com (transportation page)

and on www.samana.net (Andy B)

also a new website www.samana.biz and also here on dr1.com just listin to Andy B he is located in Las Galeras and he nows the actual status.

Andy B well im born in Sanchez but every time when i visit i forget to pass EL Catey airport how far are they.

And also check this map



do you see a new - - - - - - - road from Playa Bonita to Playa Jackson (can you tell me more)

[Andy B]

Several roads shown on this map don't exist, only as trails passable by horse and maybe a mortorcycle (dirt bike). This looks like a copy of an old map from some time ago (10 years or more) that has been translated from the original Spanish version. There are other secondary roads that are not even shown on this map. The dotted line from Punta Bonita to el Catey probably is the proposed road from the new airport to las Terrenas.
All work at the el Catey airport stopped over 6 months ago but Jasper reports that the IADB loan has been approved and work should start again soon.

[Samana1]

Well doesnt matter of their stop it will be activated when the santo domingo - samana highway is completed (some name for this new highway as Routa del Coral Punta Cana)

They need to open Arroyo Barill their can land a ATR42 aircraft and smaller it will be very nice, more tourist.

Andy B i have heard that you want to leave Samana after 30 years in Samana? why? The best time still need to come.

http://www.guatapanal.com.do/

Andy do you have any pictures of this airport or a paint of the project?