Cayo Levantado [Isla de Cayo Levantado]

This is one for those seeking a tranquil venue with turquoise sea and white sands.

Lie on the beach whilst dreaming of tales of bounty hunters and treasure and if you are there between January and March you may well see the humpback whales jumping in Samana Bay.

It is a small island and you can stroll through it in around 15 minutes.

Not surprisingly, Cayo Levantado is not a cheap place to stay in and those that do stay in the Gran Bahia Principe hotel. It is less expensive if you stay in Samana, the largest town nearby.

The weather

The temperature in Cayo Levantado tends to be between 25 and 32 degrees all year long. This enviable climate means that there there is only a few degrees difference in temperature between winter and summer.

The trade winds are a feature of this area as is the warm temperature of the sub-tropical Atlantic Ocean. Occasionally in winter a "Northeaster" blows in from the North American continent, but you will not need to "wrap up warm" when it does!

In the below video Charlesy and Ashers hired a boat from the waterfront at Samana and took a trip to the island. It cost 1500 peso`s [more on the full story in the coming weeks]. The below video gives a good feel for the island.

NB:after starting the movie,the `HQ` button will appear in the right hand corner. If you click on it it will give a higher quality picture but this is dependent on your internet connection].

Cayo Levantado Beaches

The beaches on most of the island are private but there is a public beach which is spotless and clean. As you would expect from the photos there is white sand and turquoise water.

The water is crystal clear with very few rocks. The white sand is very soft which makes an ideal swimming beach.

Beach chairs can be rented and you can hire gear for some snorkeling.

Near to the beach there is a little walkway with shops of crafts and art.

These are probably better than goods which were sold on the beach and you can buy local jewellery, paintings, cigars, crafts, and souvenirs.

The waters are calm, warm and shallow, indeed perfect for the family.

Activities and Excursions

Many people will visit the island , stay in the hotel and just the beach and the tranquility. If however you are visiting between between about January and March whale watching in the Samana Bay is very popular.

I have done this myself and it is very enjoyable Click here for more on the humpback whale. Cayo Levantado is perfectly placed for this! If fact it is possible to see the jumping whales from the beach, at a distance of about a mile.

Another good excursion is to Los Haitises National Park. This area is known as having one of the most important rainforests and mangrove reserves in the Caribbean.

Los Haitises is populated by protected native species of flora and fauna, such as Hutias (giant rats), turtles, wild pigs, parrots and turtledoves.

Fossils and pre-Columbian remains have also been found in the caverns.

It is reached easily by a short boat ride across the Bay.

Nightlife

Don`t expect too much! The island is quite quiet at night although there is a public beach bar with some music

Getting There

By air

Cayo Levantado is 45 minutes from the new El Catey Airport and 15 minutes from the Town of Samana.

CHECK OUT MORE ABOUT THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

From Cayo Levantado Dominican Republic to Samana for the whale watching

Las Terrenas -lovely village on the northern Samana peninsula

More on Santo Domingo`s famous colonial zone

Check out Dominican cuisine

Or Dominican history

Larimar stone. The beautiful precious stone unique to the Dominican Republic

Or Dominican Republic travel tips

Golf in the Dominican Republic

More on merengue music

Check out one of the main holiday destinations in the north-Puerto Plata

You may also wish to check out the resort of Punta Cana in the east of the Dominican Republic

Las Terrenas Dominican Republic

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