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Sabana de la Mar
ℹ️Practical info — Sabana de la Mar
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🌤 Weather — 5 days
📍 Nearby
Sights nearby
💡 Tips
- The ferry to Samaná departs from the port here; always check the schedule a day in advance as times fluctuate based on weather and season.
- Use mosquito repellent, especially when near the bay or embarking on Los Haitises tours.
- Book eco-tours only through official local guides at the docks.
- Carry enough cash, as ATMs can occasionally run out of bills.
🍽 Food
Small, whole fried fish popular as a local snack, sold near the port.
Fresh crab dishes, often prepared in a creole sauce, served in restaurants along the waterfront.
Sourced directly from the palms and sold by street vendors across town.
🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots
Look for locally harvested raw cacao and homemade chocolate near the market.
Small handcrafted items themed around the local wildlife of Los Haitises.
Take an evening walk along the town's malecón to watch the sun set over Samaná Bay.
Even without a full tour, the edge of the park has incredibly peaceful views of the karst formations.
Water temperature…
Sabana de la Mar is a port city in the Hato Mayor province, located on the southern coast of Samaná Bay in the Dominican Republic. The city was founded in 1760 by families from the Canary Islands and possesses a rich colonial history. Today, Sabana de la Mar is primarily known as the main gateway to the Los Haitises National Park, one of the country's most significant protected areas featuring extensive mangrove forests and limestone caves. The local economy is traditionally based on fishing and agriculture but is gaining increasing importance through ecotourism. Visitors often use the city as a starting point for boat trips for whale watching in Samaná Bay or to visit the historical caves of the indigenous people. Despite tourist development, the city has maintained its authentic character, making it an interesting destination for travelers seeking genuine Dominican life.
- Location: Dominican Republic
- Top sights: Yriel estuvo Aqui · Museo Elupina Cordero · Museum of Nature
- Nearby: Samana (8 km)
- Population: ~13.977 (2018)
Best time to visit & climate
The most pleasant time to visit is Jan–Mar.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | 25 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 26 | 25 |
| Rain mm | 45 | 32 | 32 | 50 | 81 | 46 | 63 | 68 | 70 | 67 | 83 | 57 |
Geography
Facts
- The city was officially founded in 1760 by Canary Island settlers.
- It is located on the southern shore of Samaná Bay, about 155 km from Santo Domingo.
- Sabana de la Mar serves as the primary access point to Los Haitises National Park.
- Annually, thousands of humpback whales migrate to the nearby waters of the bay.
- A ferry service to Samaná connects the city with the opposite peninsula.
- Nearby is the historic village of Caño Hondo with its natural pools.
Explore nearby
Notable places around
Route planner — Car & Motorhome
Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.
© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService
Sights in the town Sabana de la Mar (6)
Frequently asked questions
Where is Sabana de la Mar located?
Can you get to Los Haitises from here?
Is there a ferry to Samaná?
What else can you do?
Are there beaches?
Sabana de la Mar: where is it located?
Sabana de la Mar: what is there to see?
Sabana de la Mar: when is the best time to visit?
Sabana de la Mar: why is it worth visiting?
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