Samana Full Day: El Limon Waterfall and Cayo Levantado (Bacardi Island)

Santa Bárbara de Samaná•moderate

Difficulty

moderate

Duration

9–10 hours

Fitness Level

Expect several hours of walking and some uneven climbs; good cardiovascular fitness and balance help, especially if riding horseback.

Overview

Spend a full day moving from jungle trails to turquoise bays: a rugged hike or horseback ride to El Limón waterfall, a rustic ranch lunch, then a boat ride to the white sands of Cayo Levantado (Bacardi Island). This tour mixes active terrain with relaxed beach time and local culture.

Samana Full Day: El Limon Waterfall and Cayo Levantado (Bacardi Island)

Other

Bus Tour

Wildlife

Select participants and date

Date

Thu, Oct 30

Travelers

You step off the safari truck and the air changes—salt and jungle leaves, the low cry of a coastal bird and the distant roar of a single drop of water. The Samana Peninsula announces itself in layers: gravel roads give way to rutted tracks, then to a narrow trail where horses paw at the earth. By midmorning you'll be threading through farmland and a patch of low rainforest toward Salto El Limón, a 40–50 m fall that throws a curtain of spray into a shallow plunge pool.

Adventure Photos

Samana Full Day: El Limon Waterfall and Cayo Levantado (Bacardi Island) photo 1

Adventure Tips

Bring cash for vendors and tips

Small beach vendors and local musicians may not accept cards—carry small bills for purchases and gratuities.

Footwear for mixed terrain

Wear trail shoes with good grip for the wet, rocky path to El Limón and sand-friendly sandals for the island.

Hydrate and protect from sun

Carry a refillable water bottle and reef-safe sunscreen; tropical sun and humidity can drain energy quickly.

Time your photo moments

Aim to visit the island in late morning or late afternoon for softer light and fewer boats at the shoreline.

Local Insights

Wildlife

frigatebirds and pelicans
(seasonal) humpback whales

History

The Bay of Samaná has a layered history: indigenous Taino settlement, colonial-era plantations, and a 19th-century influx of freed and immigrant communities that shaped local culture.

Conservation

Local groups regulate whale-watching routes during breeding season and encourage visitors to use reef-safe sunscreen and avoid disturbing nesting areas on small cays.