Los Haitises National Park

Nature in Samana, Samaná, Dominican Republic

• Typical duration: 8h
• Elevation gain: 248 m

Things to do

• birdwatching (highlight: Cayo de los Pájaros, frigatebirds, pelicans)
• boat tour, mangroves (departure points: Sabana de la Mar, Sánchez, Samaná)
• boat tours through the mangroves
• boat tours, mangrove canals (guides: ecological guides, Sabana de la Mar)
• cave art viewing (location: interior caverns)
• cave exploration (access: hiking or boat)
• ecotourism with guides (guide base: Sabana de la Mar)
• educational eco-tours
• explore limestone caves
• kayaking (guided in select areas)
• nature interpretation
• photography
• view ancient taíno pictographs and petroglyphs
• visit secluded islands and cays
• wildlife viewing

Amenities

• visitors' center (location: Sabana de la Mar)

Best time to visit

• visit during the dry season (december–april) for calmer waters and pleasant weather.

Features

• 826 km² protected area (expanded: 1996 · established: 1976)
• limestone karst plateau (hills: 200–300 m · features: sinkholes, caverns)
• mangrove forest coast (species: red & white mangrove) — greatest Caribbean abundance
• pre-columbian cave art (types: pictographs, petroglyphs)

Nearby

• sabana de la mar town (role: main gateway, east end)
• samaná bay (use: boat departure point)

Good to know

• book a guided boat tour with an authorized operator.
• combine your visit with nearby samaná bay or cayo levantado.
• minimal road access (primary access: by sea)
• visitor numbers capped — limited entry to protect ecosystem