Bahia Chiquita

Photo of the day by Bahia Chiquita – Dancers in Cayo Levantado Island...Samana, Dominican Republic

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 17:20:00 +0200

The Dominican Republic's population has a passion for music. Music has defined itself as the peoples emotional expression.

The Merengue is the national dance of the Dominican Republic, and also to some extent, of Haiti, the neighbor sharing the island.

During the Colonial era, secular music had an important place in the daily life's of the planters and the Dominican elite.

By the middle of the nineteenth century, the Merengue was very popular in the Dominican Republic. Not only is it used on every dancing occasion in the Republic, but it is very popular throughout the Caribbean and South America, and is one of the standard Latin American dances.

Whether a night club in a Dominican Republic villa, hotel or resort, along Santo Domingo's seaside Malecon or a packed park or a city celebration, the Dominican people always have rhythm and music in their hearts.

Info

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 6 Aug 2011 00:39:00 +0300

How to get Bahia Chiquita - Samana

By car

Starting off from Santo Domingo, you head East towards the Las Americas International Airport.
About ten kilometers after the point where the motorway runs exclusively by the shore, there will be a left-side exit ramp that will take you through an underpass and leave you at the start of the Autovía del Coral. In the link that I posted, this is the blue-colored road at the right side of the map that shoots straight up. Road signs are conveniently placed, so you shouldn't miss it.
Once on the Coral Motorway, there will be a toll booth within the first kilometer. The toll is about 700 Dominican pesos. The motorway is a straight shot to Samana.
Total traveling time is about 3 hours from the city, at a reasonable speed: approximately 15 minutes from the time you leave the city (cross the bridge) and about two-and-a-half hours from the time you get on the motorway.
The roads are new and in good shape. Speed limits are rarely (if ever) enforced. Average speeds vary around 120 km/h, but most people drive at whatever speed they are most comfortable. The Coral Motorway is a pleasant drive, except for when it gets mountainous somewhere towards the end of it: I urge you caution in those stretches.

Once you reach the end of the motorway, it turns into a regular highway. There will be road signs there to point you in the right direction. At Sanchez follow the signs for Samana. Leave to your right the airport Arrojo Baril. After 4 kilometers you will see Bahia Chiquita.

Enjoy the scenery and have a safe drive!

Find here an interactive road map you can work with:

View Larger Map

By bus

You must take a taxi for around $30 to the bus terminal. About 30 min. Then you have to take the 8am bus or the 4 pm bus to Samana. Those buses use the new highway and get here in 2.5 hours. All other buses go the old route and take about 4-5 hours. Be careful!! You will pay about $8 per ticket on Caribe Tours (El Caribe).

By plane

Flights run $100 each and you must transfer, in almost all cases, to the other regional airport on the other side of SD which also would require a taxi with more or less the same details as above.
The airport here in Samana is outside of town so you would need another taxi to get to town. Probably $40-$70 depending on which airport you land at here.

Getting around

Those traveling to the province of Samana should plan on spending their entire vacation in Samana.

This is because Samana is a multi-area tourism destination in itself: Samana City, Las Galeras (25 kms. from Samana City), Las Terrenas, El Portillo, Cozon and Playa Bonita areas. It takes about half an hour to cross the peninsula north to south and about an hour to go from West to East or vice versa.

You can get around on foot, by moto-concho (motorcycle taxi) or taxi, but the best way to see Samana Peninsula is to rent a small 4x4 jeep. Whether traveling on the undulated sand roads along Las Terrenas beach on the northwest side of the peninsula, or at Playa Rincon on the northeast side, the jeep will come in extra handy.

For more information, please contact us.

Bahia Chiquita

Weather

Forecast for Samana

Bahia Chiquita

Money

Cash advances on credit cards are available in banks (be sure to ask about surcharges for the transaction). ATMs are located throughout the country, but many are often out of order. U.S. dollars are widely accepted for most transactions outside all-inclusive resorts. Credit cards are readily accepted throughout the country, although some establishments may levy hefty surcharges if you use a card—ask in advance.

Don't change more money than you plan to spend. Only 30% of Dominican currency exchanged by visitors can be re-exchanged into other currency upon departure (save currency-exchange receipts). Avoid changing money on the black market—the risks are too great. (The black marketers are the people shaking wads of cash in various currencies in your face and shouting, "Cambio!") Try to exchange money at a casa de cambio, as they offer fair rates.

Dominican Peso Exchange Rate

The values given on this site are gathered from the European Central Bank, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and the International Monetary Fund, according to their availability.

Values and dates are believed to be reliable but this site makes no warranties regarding these values, fitness for a particular purpose, accuracy or availability.

Currency Converter

Republica Dominicana, general information:

Population: 9,226,157

Languages: Spanish, English

Predominant Religions: Christian (Roman Catholic), Evangelical

Time Zone: 4 hours behind Greenwich Mean Time (-4 GMT). Daylight Saving Time is not observed

Voltage Requirements: 110 volts

Telephone Codes: 809, country code

Internet Access: The country is well-served by the Internet, with Internet centers in every town and even in many rural communities

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noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 00:46:00 +0200

April 2011 in the Caribbean…

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 16 Dec 2010 23:20:00 +0200

Quinceañera dominicana…

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 26 Oct 2010 21:24:00 +0300

The story of a magical day ....

the story of Lorena, una Quinceañera dominicana ...

A day of September 18th 2010, which actually began three years ago when Lorena was still a girl, but dreaming of the day when she will come among young woman.

A day prepared by her mother, Lucia, with all the love and devotion of a mother and the desire that her daughter enter new phase of her life with all the pomp she deserves. I asked her if she had such a "fiesta". He answered smiling: „nooo”, but she's very happy that she could do it for her daughter, even if for this ( and I know that!) she has worked hard.

This article is dedicated primarily to them, Lorena and Lucia, and to all our readers who want to know more about the traditions of Dominican culture.

Quinceañera (sometimes also called Fiesta Quinceañera, or simply quinces) is the celebration of a girl's fifteenth birthday in parts of Latin America and elsewhere in communities of Hispanics from America. This birthday is celebrated differently from any other birthday, as it marks the transition from childhood to womanhood. The celebration, however, varies significantly across countries, with celebrations in some countries taking on, for example, more religious overtones than in others.

In the Dominican Republic this celebration is very traditional and common. It begins with a Mass in the Church to receive the blessing of God and give thanks for another year of life.

At the church ceremony, a special Kneeling Pillow, sometimes personalized with the Quinceañera’s name, is placed in position for the young girl to kneel on during the ceremony. And, a touch of elegance is added with smaller decorated Ceremony Pillows for the presentation of the Quinceañera’s ceremony gifts, such as the Tiara, the Scepter and the Shoes.

There are many traditions throughout the Quinceañera celebration. One of the most popular is the changing of the shoes. The father or favored male relative ceremoniously changes the young girl’s flat shoes to high heels. This is a beautiful symbol of the Quinceañera’s transformation from a little girl to a young lady.

It is traditional for the Quinceañera to choose special friends to participate in what is called the Court of Honor. Usually, these young people are her closest friends, her brothers, sisters, cousins – the special people in her life with whom she wants to share the spotlight. The Quinceañera's Court of Honor can be comprised of all young girls (called Dama), all young men (called Chambelán or Escorte or Galán) or a combination of both..

The Quinceañera traditionally wears a ball dress, with her Court dressed in gowns and tuxedos. On the day, all the girls get dressed together and have the same dresses, shoes, hairstyle. The boys go to the place where the girls are getting ready and find the girls and take them to the place where the celebration is to be held. Guests usually receive small tokens, cápias and cerámicas, to commemorate the celebration.

At the birthday party the Quinceañera makes its great entrance to the place of the party, in this case the home of the teenager, accompanied by 14 additional pairs, which together with the teenager's own are 15 pairs.

She sits on a highly decorated chair, watching the audience and prepare for the moment of changing his status: she will enter in a society like a young woman. Her father or her padrino goes to her and puts ceremoniously her new shoes on her (from him) and he asks her to dance.

After this moment, it is customary for the Quinceañera and couples escorts to perform several choreographed dances, which may include rhythms like merengue, pop, salsa, etc..

La Quinceañera and with her partner companion and his Court will dance 2 songs with each other - one slow song followed by the merengue. They may have lessons beforehand.

At the party, there is always the toast to the Quinceañera, known as the brindis. With decorated Champagne Glasses, the guests are invited to offer their congratulations and best wishes.

It is also customary to serve a buffet and some drinks during the celebration of it. As the supply of souvenirs or memories to the guests, besides the traditional album in which firms invited to enter the celebration sign to record their presence at the party. One of the main attractions in the Dominican Republic is the traditional cake of fifteen years, which usually becomes a cake of immense size and beauty, as they get to use very colorful designs to decorate it. And which is cut shortly after the firm used by the teenager.

Traditionally the participation of an artist or band in the celebration of the feast to bring it and give the musical touch.

After that, the party begins!!!

The Traditional Ceremony Gifts

The Traditional Ceremony Gifts have special meaning for the Quinceañera celebration, and their honored significance relates to the Quinceañera's coming of age. The Traditional Ceremony Gifts are special signs of loyalty and commitment to God, family and the community. Where the celebration includes the Mass of Thanksgiving, the gifts are presented to the priest for special blessing. These ceremonial items may include:

TIARA - Denotes a "princess" before God and the world; a triumph over childhood and ability to face the challenges ahead.

CROSS or MEDAL - Signifies faith in God, in herself, and in her world.

BIBLE (or PRAYER BOOK) & ROSARY - Important resources to keep the word of God in her life.

SCEPTER - Symbolizes authority, and more importantly, responsibility for her life, that is now being given to the young woman.

In some Hispanic cultures, also in Dominican Republic, the gifts are given to the Quinceañera by "padrinos" (also called godparents) specially chosen by the family. The padrinos who give the Traditional Ceremony Gifts are formally recognized, and often are part of the procession for either the church or reception ceremony, or do the presentation of the gifts to the priest for the blessing.

The TIARA also plays a role in the actual Quinceañera ceremony. It is traditional for the headpiece worn by the Quinceañera to be ceremoniously replaced with the tiara. The "Crowning" is done either by her parents or the godparents presenting the gift. The Scepter is also presented to the Quinceañera at the same time. This ceremony usually takes place at the reception.

The Ceremony Gifts are the distinctive, precious treasures for the ceremony; a cherished custom that highlights the Quinceañera tradition.

The Guests

The mix of family and friends, young and old, near and far – all combine to make the celebration unique and special. Guests experiencing this beautiful tradition for the first time, frequently ask us, “Is a gift appropriate?” Yes, dear friends, a gift is appropriate. A Quinceañera celebration is basically a big birthday party (although a very special, very memorable one). So, anything that you think the young lady would like to receive would be an appropriate gift.

We do suggest, however, that because this is such a unique birthday, that you select a gift that commemorates this very special event in her life.

Whatever you choose, we are certain that the young lady will appreciate your gift.

Enjoy your experience with the Quinceañera tradition!

The Quince Años is a glorious celebration that remains a cherished and honored tradition

Photo of the day by Bahia Chiquita - Paradise of fruits... Dominican Republic

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 17 May 2010 18:11:00 +0300

The fruits grown here are the best. You have never eaten a pineapple/ piña or a passion fruit until you have tried one here in República Dominicana.

The Mangos (season May thru September), of which there are two types, are wonderful and very messy. These are best eaten with a knife as the little strings of fiber get stuck in the teeth. Don't let the juice get on your clothes, it stains… 

Papaya/ lechosa is unbelievably tasty and nothing like what you will find in other countries. TRY IT!!

Then there are the fruits that you have never seen or heard of before. Some do look ugly but don't snub them because of the way they look.

For example, the sweet oranges/china here are so sweet and juicy. You can buy a juice on the street fresh squeezed and many restaurants squeeze their juices fresh. There are a few different types of oranges. The china, which is the sweet /agria orange and is used to make juice (sometimes it is mixed with sugar to make it even sweeter) and to eat whole. Then there is the bitter orange/ naranja sevillana that is used for cooking. The Guava/ guayaba, a pink colored, pear-shaped fruit with yellow skin, is wonderful when made into juice or a greenish colored jelly (try it made into a paste and eaten with some cheese, I was shocked that this tastes so good). I highly recommend everyone tries some zapote juice, the fruit is ugly but the juice is sooo yummy.

One day special tour – Los Haitises Natural Park & Cayo Levantado, Samaná Peninsula

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 16 May 2010 17:03:00 +0300

One of the premier highlights of a trip to the Dominican Republic—and probably the most extraordinary part of a visit to the Samaná Peninsula—is a chance to explore Los Haitises National Park.

With a speed-boat you can cross the bay of Samana, not so far from Bahia Chiquita. In the national park can see mangroves, caves with paintings from the Taino Indians and can swim in an underground river.

On a trip you'll sail around dozens of the dramatic rock islands and spectacular cliff faces. Swirling around are hundreds of beautiful coastal birds from 121 different species, including Louisiana the magnificent American frigate birds, brown pelicans, brown booby, and varieties of egrets and herons. The sight of dozens of different of birds continually gliding past the boat at any time is enough to make a birdwatcher out of anyone.

Follow well-deserved lunch ...next stop: Bacardi Island (Cayo Levantado)... the lunch is mainly based on fresh fish, rice, vegetables, fruit and, of course, a pinacolada or coco loco very cold. Rest of the day until come back, you can spend relaxing, swimming, snorkeling or doing ... what you want!

Photo of the Day by Bahia Chiquita - Las Terrenas, Samana - Dominican Republic

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 14 May 2010 17:48:00 +0300

Once a sleepy, little fishing village on the North Coast of the Samana Peninsula, today's Las Terrenas is a prime vacation destination for visitors to the Dominican Republic.

The island's majestic terrain was described by Christopher Columbus as "the most beautiful land in the world," and today the Samana Peninsula is acknowledged as the jewel in the crown of the Dominican Republic.

With miles of undeveloped white-sandy beaches and protected inshore waters, this city of over 12,000 people is a bustling center of activity. And although fishing is still an important part of local life, the allure of this tropical paradise has fueled its growth to become an important part of the world's rapidly growing, recreational market.

The balmy climate with it's ever-present trade winds and the warm temperature of the sub-tropical Atlantic Ocean combine to provide this part of the island with year-round, delightful weather with only a few degrees difference in temperature between winter and summer.

There are plenty of cafés and oceanfront restaurants where people can be found sipping wine, over long, leisurely lunches, or having a mid-day break over a café latte.

Shops there offer a variety of arts and crafts, many of them unique handmade items, like amber jewelry, that can be difficult to find elsewhere in the Dominican Republic. Activity-wise, you can enjoy watersports like snorkeling, diving, windsurfing and kiteboarding. The 4-wheel drive and horseback riding trips are also popular because they allow you to see otherwise non-accessible areas of beauty.

If you just want to plant yourself on a beautiful beach you can also visit close by Playa Bonita or Playa Las Balleras.

Photo of the Day by Bahia Chiquita - Cayo Levantado Island, Samana - Dominican Republic

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 13 May 2010 20:57:00 +0300

Cayo Levantado is a small island in Samana Bay, not so far from Bahia Chiquita. Legend claims that bounty hunters came here long ago.

Pirates of the Caribbean? Well, if they didn’t find treasure, they

did find paradise.

Cayo Levantado is also called Bacardi Island because some of the palm trees look like

the ones in the Bacardi advertising.

The sand here is white and powdery; the turquoise waters crystal clear – perfect for swimming
and snorkeling. And, there is plenty to eat here. A few huts and facilities

will have you trying all the local cuisine. Sun, beach, food, sand… paradise indeed.

Enjoy!

Photo of the Day by Bahia Chiquita - Romance at its brightest...Playa Bonita, Peninsula Samana

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 12 May 2010 16:43:00 +0300

Is mentioned as one of the most beautiful beaches in the world.

Playa Bonita refers to a kilometer stretch of spectacular beach shore about three kiolmeters to the west of he fishing village and beach town of Las Terrenas in the Dominican Republic. It's a long, beautiful bay separated from Las Terrenas by a rocky point called Punta Bonita.

The name appropriately translates to beautiful beach because of the long curve of tan and, scores of swaying coconut trees and an aquamarine surf that is shallower and prettier than at Las Terrenas.

For lovers of unspoiled settings and glorious beaches, it’s a dream come true. And since words can never take the place of pictures, here are some photos of Playa Bonita that will give you a glimpse of this island paradise...

Photo of the Day by Bahia Chiquita - ecological diversity of "Parque Nacional de Los Haitises"

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 11 May 2010 16:29:00 +0300

“Los Haitises National Park (El Parque Nacional de Los Haitises) is a place to visit when traveling to Samaná, Dominican Republic. It is located in the Bay of Samaná and consists of 208 km square of humid tropical vegetation which allows visiting the park through their fabulous mangroves. Haitises means high land or land of mountains.

Without doubt, it's one of the most beautiful and interesting place of the country, for its geological formation, its flora and fauna, but also rich in underground rivers, caves and islets.

It contains stunning landscape features such as the Bay of San Lorenzo and different keys, highlighting the Cayo of Birds, constantly inhabited of pelicans.

Los Haitises National Park in Samana is part of a Karst platform and is one of the best examples of this kind of geological formation in the Caribbean region with a a complex system of caves and caverns where there are petroglyphs and pictographs with great historical and archaeological values. You can see traces of Taino indians.Being near the coast, Los Haitises National Park contains a bird life with a multitude of varied species of endemic birds, native and migratory unique in the country. Is the habitat for many species of migratory birds and native and an extensive area of mangroves.

Los Haitises National Park is known for the delicate ecological diversity of its coastal mangrove, the largest in the Dominican Republic. Along the Bay of Samaná, through its 21 thousand hectares of park, rock formations, pictographs and petroglyphs, can be discovered in its three systems of caves.

The average temperature is 25 C, a humid climate and frequent rains are in the two vital areas largest rain forest and tropical jungle.

Photo of the Day by Bahia Chiquita - Don't miss this great restaurant on Playa Cosón, DR

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 10 May 2010 16:24:00 +0300

If you don't already know it is there or haven't heard rumors of a "secret restaurant" on Playa Coson, you may miss out on one of the best.

The only restaurant on this amazing white sand beach, and hidden behind a wall of coconut trees, is this beach restaurant. Open just for lunch, this plantation-style beach house is splendid mix of elegance meets relaxed beach club.

The menu is based on what fresh ingredients and fish are available and it is changed regularly. The cooking is refined whether you are looking for a hamburger or something a little bit more elaborate like beef fillet with spicy sauce.

Try the dessert with strawberries and pepper sauce!

...and don't forget the cocktails!

Photo of the Day by Bahia Chiquita - Samana, Dominican Republic

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 9 May 2010 19:13:00 +0300

Photo of the Day by Bahia Chiquita - Playa Coson ... great place!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 8 May 2010 18:40:00 +0300

Photo of the Day by Bahia Chiquita - one day excursion by boat to Los Haitises Natural Park and Cayo Levantado

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 7 May 2010 15:48:00 +0300

Photo of the Day by Bahia Chiquita - ...el jardín de Bahia Chiquita y nuestro Tyson

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 6 May 2010 13:20:00 +0300

Photo of the Day by Bahia Chiquita - the beautiful Playa Coson...

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 5 May 2010 17:58:00 +0300

Photo of the Day by Bahia Chiquita - Walter Nudo e Giada De Blanck ...finalisti dell'Isola dei Famosi dalla terrazza a Bahia Chiquita

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 4 May 2010 17:34:00 +0300

Photo of the Day by Bahia Chiquita - La Boca del Diablo, Samana, Dominican Republic

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 3 May 2010 13:39:00 +0300

Photo of the Day by Bahia Chiquita - beautiful day in Cayo Levantado!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 2 May 2010 12:24:00 +0300

Photo of the Day by Bahia Chiquita - Playa Las Galeras, Samana

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 1 May 2010 15:13:00 +0300

Photo of the Day by Bahia Chiquita - Chicas encantadoras....en el Río Frio, Samana

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 22:05:00 +0300

Photo of the Day by Bahia Chiquita - Excursion in Los Haitises Natural Park, Samana

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 18:05:00 +0300

Photo of the Day by Bahia Chiquita - Cayo Levantado...

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 22:50:00 +0300

Photo of the Day by Bahia Chiquita - beautiful day...

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 23:22:00 +0300