Samana is a perfect spot for an intimate destination wedding in the Dominican Republic. It’s situated on that large peninsula that gives the north-eastern region its distinctive shape. There are countless spans of rainforest and pristine beaches that have not been commercialized yet. It’s the ideal spot if you’re looking for a wedding away from the chaos. Samana has that perfect balance between luxury resorts and authentic Dominican towns to explore. It’s also home to multiple activities that are unique to the region, such as Salto el Limon and seasonal whale watching. In this guide we’ll go over why you should consider Samana over some of the more popular areas like Punta Cana.

Overview of Samaná Province

Located on the Northeast of the Hispaniola Island (the island that includes the Dominican Republic and Haiti), Samana has three main areas to focus on:

Santa Barbara de Samana is the provincial capital and is located at the southern central area of the province. The most notable things to see are the iconic Samana bridges that travel over the ocean connecting Cayos Linares and Vigia. The seawall from which you can embark to watch whales or explore Los Haitises National Park. And the town itself which has a lively traditional aesthetic.
Las Terrenas is more known for its tourist destinations and vibrant nightlife. It has some of the area’s most well known beaches including Playa Bonita, Playa Coson, and Playa Las Ballenas. Here are some of the largest luxury resorts like Viva V Samana, Bahia Principe Grand El Portillo, Sublime Samaná. At night there are plenty of food trucks and bars to check out. Get ready to dance and to Bachata and Merengue.
Las Galeras, is the most remote of the three areas located at the northern tip. This is the perfect spot if you’re looking to get away from it all. It’s quiet, laid back, and still feels authentic, with just a few small hotels, restaurants, and dive or boat operators in town.

Overall Samana is still safe from massive commercial development. Most of the area is covered in lush rainforest. There are few major highways and large resorts. You should venture out here to feel a raw and authentic Dominican experience.

Resorts and Wedding Packages in Samaná

If you’re looking for a less tourist focused area in the Dominican Republic, but still would like to have a comfortable all-inclusive experience, then Samana has some solid options.

Here are a few Samaná hotels to consider:

Bahia Principe Grand Samana: This all-inclusive resort is perched along a cliffside that overlooks the deep blue Samana Bay. It has direct access to a small exclusive beach, 149 rooms, victorian style architecture, several restaurants, bars and a pool overlooking the ocean. This resort provides a secluded and lowkey experience without compromising on luxury. It’s located away from the larger towns of Samana so it’s not the best option if you’re looking for going out to explore.

Cayo Levantado Resort: This resort is as private as it gets. It is located on its own tiny island south of the Samana peninsula that can be accessed only through a short boat ride. The resort includes top of line amenities with a strong focus on sustainability and preserving wildlife. Expect to enjoy multiple gourmet restaurants, fitness areas, and a spa focused on wellness and rejuvenation through nature. Another great choice for those that are not looking to do much exploring and want a quiet experience.

Bahia Principe Grand El Portillo: One of the largest resorts in Samana, El Portillo offers an all-inclusive family-friendly experience close to Las Terranas town. It has multiple pools, white sand beaches, and a mix of buffet and a la carte restaurants. Its proximity to the town allows for exploring on your own if you choose, but you can also have a great experience by staying inside the resort. This is the best option if you are looking to bring the whole family along.

Viva V Samana by Wyndham: Viva V Samana offers a central location while going beyond the average all inclusive experience. You get an infinity pool, spa, tennis courts, a full gym, daily activities like beach yoga and water sports. Amenities also extend to paddle boarding, kayaking, and archery.

Wyndham Altra Samana: This family friendly resort is one of the only ones in Las Galeras. It’s a small quiet escape with plenty of activities to take part in. Most notably dance lessons and horseback riding. The resort includes several restaurants, pools, kids’ areas, and breathtaking terraces with ocean and garden views. It’s close to the beautiful Playa Rincon, a pristine bay with untouched nature.

These resorts provide all-inclusive wedding packages. These include the decor, the venue for the ceremony, reception space, and a wedding cake. Each one offers 3-5 wedding packages and 5-10 venue choices. The average cost of a wedding in Samana ranges from $5,000 to $8,000 for 30-50 guests. This cost can vary based on the venue, guest count, wedding package, and additional services.

How to Get to Samaná

Samana is not as accessible as the more popular locations in the Dominican Republic like Santo Domingo and Punta Cana. Though there is an airport, the flights are limited, so we recommend arriving through Santo Domingo’s Aeropuerto Las Americas. From the airport you can take a private transport to your resort. The journey is about 2 and a half hours. You can also arrive through the Punta Cana Airport, but the road trip will be a bit longer. It may sound like a long journey, but you’ll forget about the hassle as soon as you arrive.

Attractions & Activities in Samaná

Samana is one of the best places in the country for exciting excursions. It’s one of the only regions in the Caribbean that experiences humpback whale migrations from December to April. Here you’ll have a chance to get on a boat and watch these majestic creatures jump out of the water. It’s also home to Los Haitises National Park offering a unique look at a breathtaking natural landscape. Featuring huge limestone cliff islands and mangrove forests. You’ll also be able to observe indigenous Taino drawings from over 500 years ago!

Samana vs Punta Cana

Punta Cana is the most popular choice for weddings and resorts in the Dominican Republic. It’s right next to the airport, there are over 40 options for all-inclusive resorts, and requires a bit less planning than going all the way to Samana. But before you rule out Samana here are some benefits over Punta Cana that might be worth the extra effort:

Cost: Though resorts are still priced at $250-400 per night like in Punta Cana, other expenditures tend to be cheaper in Samana. It’s less commercialized and the market is not so competitive and oversaturated like Punta Cana.
Towns: Having Las Terranas and Santa Barbara de Samana very close to your resort is a great bonus if you’re looking to do some walking around on your own. These towns have very rich culture and a more authentic feel compared to Punta Cana.
Nature: While Punta Cana offers some decent variety of excursions like snorkeling and horseback riding, Samana’s nature is hard to beat with Los Haitises National Park and humpback whale migrations.
Crowds: Though you can expect to see more people at the beaches from December to April, it will not be as crowded as the resorts in Punta Cana. So you’ll be able to enjoy the best weather of the year without too many crowds.

Wedding Photoshoots in Samana

Samana is one of our favorite places for a wedding photoshoot. There is such a wide variety of scenery that you can get out of this area. The beaches make for some beautiful lighting, with much more greenery than the ones at Punta Cana. There are plenty of great options for Trash the Dress sessions including the famous El Limon waterfall where we’ve gotten some outstanding underwater and nature shots. Having beaches that are less crowded is also a huge benefit for capturing wedding photos because it gives you more options for locations and custom shots.

If you want the practical side of it, our Samana wedding photographer page covers the venues we work in on this coast, the timing that works here, and what coverage involves. Are you ready to begin planning your wedding photoshoot with us, get in touch today and we’ll help you get started!

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Arnaud Brichet

Arnaud Brichet traded Paris for the shores of Punta Cana over two decades ago. Today, as a destination wedding photographer and videographer in the Dominican Republic, he and his team capture love stories across the Caribbean, from intimate elopements to grand celebrations. With a photojournalistic style rooted in authenticity, they also photograph engagements, proposals, family portraits, and maternity sessions throughout Punta Cana and beyond.

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