Samana - History

The most prominent geographic feature of the Dominican North Coast is the Samana Peninsula. Christopher Columbus arrived here in 1493, but was so fiercely attacked by the Ciguayo Indians that he left. He gave the bay the name Golfo de las Flechas which means the gulf of arrows. A cultural oddity in a country usually associated with Columbus and Spanish domination, Samana was founded by English-speaking U.S. slaves in the 1820’s. This came about through the efforts of U.S. abolitionists and a Haitian general who worked to relocate thousands of slaves who had escaped Southern plantations via the Underground Railroad. Descendants of the original settlers - called Americanos - still live in the area, and some of them speak English as their first language. They continue to have a noticeable impact on the area’s food, churches and architecture.

At the Samana peninsula's midpoint lays the city of Samana, which claims an unusual history and as a result, an unusual characteristic. The town of the same name (Samana) resides on the south end of the Peninsula. Founded in 1756 by two families from the Canary Island. It was settled by two shiploads of freed American slaves around 1824 and to this day, many residents speak English as a first language. The town was destroyed in 1946 by a fire.

There is no evidence of its past history. Instead you will find modern churches, restaurants and hotels.

Cayo Levantado

Across the bay from Samana (15 min by boat) is the unspoiled island of Cayo Levantado. Sometimes referred to as Bacardi Island, it makes claim that one of its three beaches is supposedly featured on one of the famous rum distillers advertisements. The largest beach on the island, Playa Grande has restaurants and bars for visitors to enjoy while they are on the island. Excursions to the island are available from many destinations in the Dominican Republic.

Las Terrenas

On the north side of the Peninsula of Samana is the town known as Las Terrenas. Once inaccessible due to its location, it is now reachable by a newly paved 17 km road from Sanchez. The region, which has some of the beast beaches on the island is visited frequently by divers around the world, who come here for the excellent reefs, sponges, and underwater caves. The area is developing quickly to cope with the tourism but remains unspoiled and clean.

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