Want the greenest and wildest landscapes in the Dominican Republic? Pay a visit to Samaná
The Samaná peninsula is the Dominican Republic’s greenest region and offers white sand beaches, a colourful underwater world, rich nature and tasty cuisine.
Transcript
00:00 I'm in the Samana Peninsula in the Dominican Republic. I'm here to show you the colorful
00:13 world hidden underwater, poscar beaches, but also the wilder side of this Caribbean island.
00:25 I start my trip from Playa Rincon, at the tip of the peninsula. Surrounded by white
00:30 sand, turquoise water and coconut trees, it feels like a lost paradise. It's ranked as
00:37 one of the top ten most beautiful beaches in the world. The almost intact tropical nature
00:42 of this part of the island has preserved the spectacularly rich underwater wildlife. I
00:48 need to see it with my own eyes. This region has plenty of spots for the best snorkeling.
01:09 The reef is rich with corals, sponges, sea urchins and all sorts of colorful fish. And
01:16 one of my favorites, the turbot. And if you come here between January and March, you can
01:21 also observe some really huge sea creatures.
01:25 I've been told that there's a place where I must go to try the most traditional Dominican
01:52 cuisine, and it's right there. Cayo Levantado, reachable by boat, is a tiny island which
01:59 lies just a few kilometers from the mainland. With its white, powdery sand and crystal clear
02:05 water, it's ideal for relaxing under the sun, snorkeling or swimming. Or to enjoy a local
02:11 dish in one of the restaurants on the beach.
02:15 Food in the Dominican Republic reflects the country's African-European and native Taino
02:20 Indian influences. And there's a fruit here that you have to try, coconut. It's one of
02:26 the two main ingredients of the most traditional dish, pescado con coco.
02:30 A secret of this recipe, as you can see, is to add coconut milk where the fish is sliced
02:56 to absorb its flavor. In less than 15 minutes, my fish is ready.
03:22 The Samana Peninsula is also the greenest region of the country. It's crisscrossed from
03:27 east to west by the Sierra de Samana, a mountain range that makes a remarkable contribution
03:32 to the region's charm. Its slopes are home to an astonishing variety of lush vegetation,
03:38 from papaya and cocoa to mango and coffee trees. And to unbelievable hidden gems, reachable
03:45 only by foot or on horseback, Champion is my guide today.
03:51 Getting to El Limon, a waterfall, is an experience in itself. The adventurous three-kilometer
03:59 path descends through thick jungle. Vamos, Champion. That's not easy at all.
04:13 From the ranch, it's only 30 minutes by horse or on foot to reach our destination.
04:20 This place is mind-blowing. You have to see it.
04:27 The Salto El Limon is 40 meters high with powerful jets of water that pour into an emerald
04:33 green natural pool. Visitors can enjoy a refreshing swim or be enchanted by the beauty of the
04:40 surrounding nature. All good things must come to an end, but I
04:45 can say that during this unforgettable trip to the wildest side of the Dominican Republic,
04:51 I enjoyed the best part of the underwater world and of what is above.
04:56 [MUSIC PLAYING]