Excursión a Samana, Cascada Limón Y Isla Bacardí

Very long but worth it

You have to keep in mind that it is many kms from Punta Cana, if there is a delay in the pickup it is already off to a bad start Later, I was in Cayo Levantado 33 years ago, the hotel wasn't there and there were very few people, now it is overcrowded and there is a beach that is private to the hotel and for the tourist there is a very small one, for this reason I was a little disappointed, to leave the island we were lucky that the guide managed to get a boat to take us to the catamaran, because it couldn't go to the pier, even so the excursion lasted more than 13h Even so it was worth it because the El Limón waterfall is very beautiful

via Tripadvisor (translated)

Mixed experience – some amazing moments, but a few big disappointments

This trip had some memorable highlights, but there were several issues that meant it didn’t fully live up to expectations. Firstly, the transfer time was not as advertised. It was stated as a 1.5-hour bus journey, but this was much longer. We were picked up at 6:40am and didn’t receive any food until around 2pm, despite being told drinks and refreshments would be available. We were also not offered unlimited drinks as stated. One unexpected highlight was an impromptu whale-watching trip, which lasted about two hours and was fantastic, we were lucky enough to see three whales. There was a lot of waiting around throughout the day. When we arrived at Bacardi Island, we only had around 30 minutes there, and around 20 of those minutes were spent queuing for the toilet. Unfortunately, this meant we didn’t really get to explore or enjoy the island before having to get straight back on the catamaran. Once we arrived in Samaná, we went on a truck ride through the island and stopped at a small food hut in the middle of nowhere. We were only offered water with the meal, but the food itself (chicken, rice, beef stew, pasta, and fruit) was tasty, and we really enjoyed this part as it felt like a genuine cultural experience. From there, we walked to the horses for the ride to Limón Waterfall. This was unfortunately the most upsetting part of the day. The horses were clearly malnourished and not in a fit condition to be doing a 40-minute round trip through muddy forest terrain. My partner expressed concern and asked not to ride the horse back because he felt sorry for it, but he was told this wasn’t possible due to the thick mud. Before the ride, we were told that the “children” leading the horses relied on tips as their only income. In reality, they were mostly young adults. We didn’t have cash but were told we could tip by card. After asking other travellers what was appropriate, we paid $10 per horse leader. One of them, a girl named Elizabeth, reacted rudely and said this wasn’t enough, which left a very sour taste. The English-speaking tour guide was friendly, but didn’t provide much information, and often we weren’t really sure what was happening. It was a very long day (around 14 hours), with most of the time spent on buses, boats, and coaches. We only spent about 20 minutes at Limón Waterfall, which felt rushed. I would have preferred more time exploring Bacardi Island and less time in transit. There were some great moments, but the condition and treatment of the horses was genuinely upsetting and sadly overshadowed the experience for us.

Response from the operator: Dear Customer, Thank you so much for sharing your review. We value all feedback and would like to clarify a few points mentioned. Regarding the bus and boat travel time, unfortunately, the duration is as indicated because Samaná is located in a different province. The route is beyond our control, as the geographical distance and travel conditions are determined by the available route. The one hour and fifty minutes refers specifically to the leg from Punta Cana to the embarkation point for Samaná, and there is no shorter route for this journey. Regarding tips, our tour description clearly states that they are not mandatory. The guides who accompany the activity are compensated for their work, so customers are under no obligation to tip. Regarding the option to climb to El Limón Waterfall, customers can choose between horseback riding or hiking. If you choose to hike, please note that it involves climbing approximately 300 steps. Regarding drinks, we would like to clarify that they are not unlimited. The beverage service is only available during your time on the beach, which lasts approximately one and a half hours, and not throughout the entire tour as previously stated.Regarding the tip that you claim was charged to you through the Verifone, that is not true. Remember that you said you didn't have cash on you and wanted to give some tips, but since you didn't have cash, you asked if we could run your card through the Verifone and give you the cash, to which we agreed. However, you were not charged a tip, as tips are not mandatory. Finally, regarding the horses used on the excursion, we would like to clarify that they are local working horses, bred and trained specifically for the mountainous terrain and trails of the area. They are accustomed to this type of environment and the routes they travel daily. The local operator managing this activity guarantees that the horses receive the necessary care and rest. However, we understand that their appearance may differ from that of the riding or sport horses some visitors are used to. We sincerely regret that this aspect of the experience has caused you concern or a negative perception. We remain at your disposal for any further clarification.

via Tripadvisor

Worth the drive to Samana!

The entire family had a great time. Although the drive was long, our guide, Carlos provided us with a lot of information about the country. Our driver Bryan, was timely and got us back safely.

via Tripadvisor

Beautiful place

A beautiful place you can not miss the opportunity to meet him and guide them very predisposed geniuses and always at your command

Response from the operator: Muchas gracias por compartir con nosotros

via Tripadvisor (translated)

Excellent

Everyone were nice had a great time great view. Horse ride and food. Everyone were helpful and very friendly. Hope to go again

via Tripadvisor