Anyone that lives in Samana - can you answer this for me please :)

[luckyprincess]

Hi. Getting information on this port is a nightmare. It seems everyone wants you to purchase a tour or excursion to do anything here. I would like to go to Caya Levantado. Info on this board says you must take the cruise ship excursion to do so. The Go Samana website says there is a boat to take you there for $10 per person round trip at the main dock. There are a lot of us and we don't want to spend a fortune or stay on the ship. Taxis are out as well as we won't have car seats and my sister won't put the kids in a vehicle without one. Can anyone tell me if I can get a boat from the main dock to Cayo Levantado for $10 per person and is it a simple transaction? Thank you!

[DontTreadOnMe]

This is a great question and I would love to see an answer to it! Consider this a bump.

[lifesabeach123]

This thread has already been answered but it seems all the posts have been deleted.

 

In short all cruise passengers at Samana can only take a cruise ship excursion to Cayo Levantado. The government and cruise lines have created this ruling. There are police at the dock to enforce this.

[bling19572010]

This thread has already been answered but it seems all the posts have been deleted.

 

In short all cruise passengers at Samana can only take a cruise ship excursion to Cayo Levantado. The government and cruise lines have created this ruling. There are police at the dock to enforce this.

 

 

So cruise passengers can't book a private tour????

[lifesabeach123]

So cruise passengers can't book a private tour????

 

You can book private tours to other places but not to Cayo Levantado which is only accessible to cruise passengers via excursions offered by their cruise line.

 

Non cruise passengers can access Cayo Levantado by the $US10 taxi boats mentioned in the original post.

 

Completely ridiculous and unfair? Yes.

There are other nearby beaches like Playa Rincon and Playa Fronton that are very popular. Bear in mind they are undeveloped, natural beaches so they are not groomed like Cayo.

 

http://gosamana-dominicanrepublic.com

 

http://www.samanaonline.com/

 

http://gosamana-dominicanrepublic.com/attractions-activities-what-to-do-see-in-samana-playa-rincon-beach.html

 

http://www.godominicanrepublic.com/rd/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=61&Itemid=69&lang=en

 

http://www.toursamanawithterry.com/Cruise_ship_excursions_2ESB.html

[DontTreadOnMe]

You can book private tours to other places but not to Cayo Levantado which is only accessible to cruise passengers via excursions offered by their cruise line.

 

Non cruise passengers can access Cayo Levantado by the $US10 taxi boats mentioned in the original post.

 

Clearly the distinction is "cruise passenger" versus "normal shmoe." How do the operators know who is whom?

[lifesabeach123]

I've read there are police at the pier, on cruise ship days, who stop and question everyone trying to take taxi boats...

see post #2 here (posted by a Samana resident) http://dr1.com/forums/north-east-coast/93760-need-help-how-get-cayo-levantado-w-o-using-ships-tender.html

[emcee207]

And they wonder why so many choose to stay on board? Questioned by Police???? Jees!

[lifesabeach123]

And they wonder why so many choose to stay on board? Questioned by Police???? Jees!

 

"Politely" asked by the police I would think.