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El Seibo · the Dominican Republic
The new eastern Dominican coast, on Samaná Bay: Playa Esmeralda between green hills and sea, the Montaña Redonda viewpoint and Laguna Limón, about an hour and a half from Punta Cana.
In the photo: Laguna Redonda in Miches
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Get to know the place
Miches lies in the northeast of El Seibo province, where the mountains of the Cordillera Oriental drop down to the southern edge of Samaná Bay. For a long time it was a fishing and farming village, off the tourist routes, with a difficult mountain road. The opening of new roads brought it closer to Punta Cana and Santo Domingo, and the coast began to receive beach hotels and to be called Costa Esmeralda.
What stands out is the combination of beach and mountains. Playa Esmeralda has light sand, coconut groves and calm sea, with green hills right behind. Montaña Redonda, a rounded-topped hill between the sea and Laguna Redonda, became a famous viewpoint for its swings over the valley. Laguna Limón is a mangrove and bird reserve, connected to the sea by a channel.
The town of Miches is small, with a malecón, a market and a laid-back rhythm. On the other side of the bay are the Samaná Peninsula and Los Haitises National Park, and the humpback whales that enter the bay in winter also pass by here.
It’s a destination for those who want uncrowded beaches, green scenery and short nature outings, accepting that infrastructure outside the big hotels is still developing.
This destination brings together 1 city: Miches.
One destination, many paths
Start with one city or combine several in your itinerary.
Boundaries: Oficina Nacional de Estadística / OCHA-HDX / geoBoundaries (CC BY 3.0 IGO). Adapted by Cidade Turismo.
✈ Aeropuerto Internacional de Punta Cana (PUJ), in Punta Cana · 95 km to Miches
Confirm before you buy. The most used airport is Punta Cana (PUJ), about an hour and a half by car via the new road. From Santo Domingo it’s about two and a half hours. Hotels usually offer transfers.
The local experience
A long beach of pale sand and coconut groves east of Miches, with calm sea and the green hills of the Cordillera Oriental in the background: the postcard of the Costa Esmeralda.
A rounded-top hill of about 300 meters, between the sea and Laguna Redonda, with 360-degree views, swings and hammocks over the valley: the most famous viewpoint in the eastern area.
A lagoon of fresh and brackish water surrounded by mangrove, connected to the sea by a channel, with water birds and boat rides, located between Miches and Montaña Redonda.
Before you go
A little planning leaves more time to enjoy the journey.
From December to April it usually rains less; from January to March humpback whales enter the Samaná Bay. June to November is hurricane season, with heavier rain from August to October. The region is wetter and greener than Punta Cana.
The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.
Three to four days are enough for Playa Esmeralda, Montaña Redonda, Laguna Limón and a rest day. If you’re in Punta Cana you can do Montaña Redonda as a day trip.
Playa Esmeralda, east of town, hosts the newest, secluded all-inclusive beach hotels. The town of Miches has simple guesthouses and apartments, near the malecón and shops. Between Montaña Redonda and Laguna Limón there are glampings and countryside guesthouses for those who want nature and quiet.
Take your trash with you, follow the signs and support local businesses. In natural areas, follow the visiting guidelines.
Get your questions answered
On the northeast coast of El Seibo province, on the south shore of Samaná Bay, about an hour and a half from Punta Cana.
Yes. It’s about an hour and a half by road to the base; excursions take you up in a truck or jeep.
Yes. The beaches are sparsely populated and the town is small. In return, there are fewer restaurants, shops and tours than in Punta Cana.
It helps a lot, because the beaches, Montaña Redonda and Laguna Limón are spread out. Without a car, use hotel transfers and tours or the local moto-taxis.
From December to April, when it rains less and, from January to March, whales enter Samaná Bay.
