Fodor's may use your email address to send you relevant information on site updates, account changes, and offers.  For more information about your privacy and protection, please review our full Privacy Policy. 

Samana Peninsula Travel Guide

Samana Peninsula Sights

Cayo Levantado

Island

mandritoiu / Shutterstock

Published 08/18/2016

Fodor's Review

There are no public beaches in Samaná town, but you can hire a boat to take you to Cayo Levantado, which has a wonderful white-sand beach on an island in Samaná Bay.  Today the small island has largely been turned into a commercial enterprise to accommodate the 1,500 cruise-ship passengers who anchor here; it has dining facilities, bars, restrooms, and lounge chairs.  Unfortunately, it can be extremely crowded and boisterous when there's a ship in port, so it may be best to avoid a trip to the island on those days.  The beach, however, is undeniably beautiful.  The island's Bahía Príncipe Cayo Levantado (809/538–3131), an upscale, all-inclusive resort with its own launch, sells one-day passes (adults only) for about US$120.