Malecon

The basics

Located in Samaná (or Santa Bárbara de Samaná), this seaside boardwalk serves as a gathering point for residents and visitors. Whether it’s taking a morning stroll along the sandy palm-lined beaches, stopping by the iconic Cayenas del Mar Beach Club for an afternoon drink, fishing off the pier, or touring the historic La Churcha of Samaná (found just off the promenade), a trip to the Malecon offers a glimpse into local life and a look at Samaná’s past.

Things to know before you go

• At one end of the Malecon sits an impressive humpback whale statue as a tribute to the creatures that migrate to Samaná Bay in the winter.

• Samaná can refer to the peninsula, the province, the bay, or the town.

• Look for shops along the Malecon that sell Dominican amber. The island is known for producing some of the clearest and oldest amber in the world that’s derived from the resin of the extinct tree Hymenaea protera.

How to get there

By car, you can reach the town of Samaná via the Santo Domingo-Samaná Highway (or Route 7) and the Boulevard Turístico del Atlántico from Las Terrenas. The Samaná Peninsula is also accessible via El Catey International Airport (AZS), while cruise ships dock near Cayo Levantado. Some whale-watching tours provide transportation to Samaná from Punta Cana and other cities.

When to get there

Every year, between mid-January and late March, humpback whales migrate to Samaná Bay, drawing crowds of tourists. In June, Samaná's annual harvest festivals, hosted by the local church, carry on the traditions of the island’s African-American descendants with traditional foods like johnnycakes, ginger beer, and coconut rice, allowing travelers to experience Dominican Republic heritage.

Whale Museum and Nature Center (Museo de la Ballena)

Located just off the Malecon, the Whale Museum and Nature Center celebrates humpback whales—the ocean giants that migrate in the thousands to the turquoise waters of Samaná Bay in the winter. Many travelers visit the museum, home to a 40-foot (12-meter) humpback skeleton, before or after a whale-watching tour.