Before you go

Your trip to Sabana de la Mar.

Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.

Sabana de la Mar – Hato Mayor Destination Península de Samaná

How to get there

Aeropuerto Internacional de Las Américas (SDQ) Punta Caucedo · 160 km
Muelle de Sabana de la Mar 1 km

Approximate road distances. Check flights and bus schedules before you travel.

From Santo Domingo it's about two and a half hours via the Hato Mayor road. From Punta Cana, about two hours via Miches. From Samaná, speedboats cross the bay in roughly an hour, depending on sea conditions.

How many days

One day for Los Haitises, with an early departure. An overnight stay helps those coming from far away who want to enter the park first thing in the morning.

When to go

Los Haitises can be visited year-round. From December to April there is less rain and the bay's sea is calmer. From January to March the crossing to Samaná allows for whale watching.

The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.

Do you need a car?

To get there, it helps: there are buses from Santo Domingo and Hato Mayor. Within the town and to Los Haitises it's not necessary: boats depart from the pier and from the Caño Hondo entrance.

Suggested itinerary

An order that works

Built with the places on this page. No rush: it's paced so you have time to see them.

One day in Sabana de la Mar

Morning
Los Haitises by boat
Head out early by boat through Los Haitises' mangrove channels, among the limestone mogotes rising from the water.
Afternoon
Taíno caves
Disembark at the caves of San Gabriel and La Línea to see Taíno paintings and engravings.
Late afternoon
Caño Hondo pools
In the afternoon, bathe in the freshwater terraced pools of Caño Hondo at the park entrance.
Evening
Sabana pier
At the end of the day, return to the pier and view the bay with Samaná on the other side.

Check before you go. Opening hours and days change, and places may close for renovations, holidays or events. This itinerary is a suggestion from Cidade Turismo, not a commitment: plan yours by checking directly with each place you intend to visit.

Before you go

Frequently asked questions

Is Sabana de la Mar the best entrance to Los Haitises?

It is the closest: boats reach the mangroves and caves in a few minutes. From Samaná, the bay crossing is longer.

Can you go by boat from Sabana de la Mar to Samaná?

Yes, speedboats cross the bay in about an hour, depending on sea conditions.

Where to sleep in Sabana de la Mar?

There are simple guesthouses in town and eco-lodgings near Caño Hondo at the park entrance.

Is Sabana de la Mar far from Punta Cana?

About two hours by car, passing through Miches.

Back to Sabana de la Mar