Tours/Punta Cana/Excursión a Samana, Cascada Limón Y Isla Bacardí
Excursión a Samana, Cascada Limón Y Isla Bacardí
3.9(14)Punta Cana12h 10min
VIATOR3.8(4)TRIPADVISOR4.0(10)
+15 photos
At a glance
Duration
12h 10min
Price from
$120 / person
Location
Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
Rating
3.9 / 5 · 14 reviews
Languages
EN, FR, ES
Group
Small group, up to 40
Cancellation
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
Hotel pickup
Available
Confirmation
Instant
Ticket
Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Operator
Shopy Dominican Tours
Description
On the tour to Samaná from Punta Cana, we will sail by motorboat through the bay of Samaná, we will ride a horse to reach El Limón Waterfall, and then we will visit Bacardí Island (Cayo Levantado). Don’t miss out on this exciting adventure!
Places that are visited, Samana Bay, Santa Barbara of Samana, El Limon Waterfall, Cayo Levantado (Bacardi Island)
Samaná is one of the most iconic places in the Dominican Republic and has been the setting for numerous movies and the shooting of programs and reality shows, such as La Isla de las Tentaciones.
On our tour, we will cross the Samaná Bay by motorboat, and board a Safari truck to reach the ranch from which we will depart to El Limón Waterfall on horseback.
We will enter a beautiful tropical forest to reach the impressive 40-meter-high waterfall, in which we can bathe to cool off.
Schedule & prices
Runs
Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, and Sat
Start times
7:00 AM
Next available
Fri, Oct 23
Adult (ages 9–85)
$120
Child (ages 5–8)
$70
Infant (ages 1–4)
Free
From the operator’s live schedule on Viator, checked Oct 22.
Tour Options
Excursión a Samana, Cascada Limón Y Isla Bacardí
Pickup included
Itinerary
El Salto del Limon
Admission included60 min
flying to the Samana Peninsula isn't your favorite way to travel, then we have a great alternative, visit Samana by Bus! This great alternative to Samana by Plane allows you to see everything that Samana has to offer by only adding a few hours in transport, and more importantly subtracting the amount paid out of pocket.
Instead of boarding a plane to Samana, you will take our bus approximately 2 hours to the small town of Canetas, where you then climb aboard a boat to take you the rest of the way to Samana about 40 min. We'll arrive at a private beach where you will enjoy a light breakfast. We'll then make our way to the entrance of the most magnificent waterfall in the country, El Salto de Limon. But first, we'll make a quick stop at a traditional Dominican household where you'll have the opportunity to learn a bit about local products and sample some for yourself including coffee, cocoa, natural fruit and the infamous
What's included
Included
Bottled water
Professional guide
Alcoholic Beverages
Round trip transport
Lunch Included
Lunch
Coffee and/or Tea
Not included
Towel
The client must be aware of their belongings, our company is not responsible for lost items.
This tour does not have pick-up in Cap Cana or the airport area, the taxi is at the client's expense
This tour does not have pick-up in Cap Cana/Pueblo Bavaro, the taxi is at the client's expense
Pickup Locations & Times
Once the reservation is made, our Staff will be contacting you via text message, email or watsap and thus give you the pick-up time according to your hotel or location
* Meeting point with our driver. Is going to be at the reception of the hotel, our representatives will have a sign and call the name on the reservation of the tour.
Traveller Ratings
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
3.9
14 reviews
5
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Important Information
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Children must be accompanied by an adult
Minimum drinking age is 18 years
To climb up to Cascada Limón you can do it by horse back riding or walking (your choice) the cost of the horse is included in the price.
This excursion has all cost included. they don't have to pay anything extra
This tour does not have pick-up in Cap Cana or the airport area, the taxi... 25,00 USD por reserva
This tour does not have pick-up in Veron/Pueblo Bavaro the taxi... 25,00 USD por reserva
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
1+ days before100% refund
0–1 days before0% refund
Frequently asked questions
How long does Excursión a Samana, Cascada Limón Y Isla Bacardí take?
Excursión a Samana, Cascada Limón Y Isla Bacardí lasts about 12h 10min. The itinerary has 1 stop.
How much does Excursión a Samana, Cascada Limón Y Isla Bacardí cost?
Prices start at $120 per person for this Punta Cana experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. There is 1 booking option, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
What days does Excursión a Samana, Cascada Limón Y Isla Bacardí run?
According to the operator’s current schedule, it runs on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, starting at 7:00 AM.
How much does Excursión a Samana, Cascada Limón Y Isla Bacardí cost for children?
Children aged 5–8 pay from $70, adults from $120. Infants go free.
Can I cancel Excursión a Samana, Cascada Limón Y Isla Bacardí for free?
Yes. Cancel at least 1 day before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.
Is hotel pickup included?
Yes, pickup is offered. Once the reservation is made, our Staff will be contacting you via text message, email or watsap and thus give you the pick-up time according to your hotel or location
* Meeting point with our driver. Is going to be at the reception of the hotel, our representatives will have a sign and call the name on the reservation of the tour. Pickup points include The St. Regis Cap Cana Resort.
What languages is Excursión a Samana, Cascada Limón Y Isla Bacardí offered in?
The experience is available in EN, FR, ES.
Is this a private or a group tour?
It is a small-group experience with a maximum of 40 participants.
Is the tour suitable for children?
Children must be accompanied by an adult
Will my booking be confirmed immediately?
Yes, bookings are confirmed instantly.
Is Excursión a Samana, Cascada Limón Y Isla Bacardí worth it?
Travellers rate it 3.9 out of 5 across 14 reviews on Viator and Tripadvisor; it is run by Shopy Dominican Tours.
Reviews(14)
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
J
juanalfonsom683
August 25, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
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
Operator response
Buenos días, gracias por su reseña. Le recordamos que en 33 años cambian muchas cosas. En cuanto a la embarcación que comenta (la lancha), aclararle que el guía no la consiguió, sino que ya estaba allí para transportarlo desde la orilla hasta el catamarán, ya que estos no pueden llegar a la orilla debido a su gran peso. Por ese motivo disponemos de lanchas para embarcar a los clientes desde la orilla hasta unos metros donde se encuentra el catamarán. Le informamos que dicha lancha pertenece a nuestra empresa."
S
saratK9407TK
January 23, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
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.
Operator response
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.
R
RGV22
July 3, 2025 · 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.
I
I7180LKcarlosg
April 19, 2025 · 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
Operator response
Muchas gracias por compartir con nosotros
M
moctek1121
January 24, 2024 · via Tripadvisor
Excellent
Everyone were nice had a great time great view. Horse ride and food. Everyone were helpful and very friendly. Hope to go again
M
maitelafee
August 7, 2022 · via Tripadvisor
Beautiful day
We left the day of our hotel Riu the guide did not speak French and was not very friendly. Once we had taken the boat 2 small trucks took us to the horses but there were not enough places for us (family of 4). Then there is a big horseback ride to go to the waterfall but the path is very rocky, 2 people of the group fell off their horses. The waterfall is really beautiful and on the way back we had planned 5€ per guide and they were not happy at all thank you they made the head because it was not enough. Then we arrived on the island at 2:30 pm to have dinner (a little late we were very hungry), but like the scenery is magical.
1 people found this helpful
Operator response
Bonjour, merci d'avoir réservé avec nous pour vos visites à samana. Je suis désolé d'apprendre que vous avez été accusé. Ces excursions n'ont aucun coût supplémentaire puisque tout est inclus dans votre paiement. Si les garçons demandent de l'argent là-bas, c'est peut-être un pourboire qui n'est pas obligatoire, ce sont des gens qui vivent à proximité et gagnent leur vie de cette façon, mais le pourboire n'est pas obligatoire puisque tout est inclus. Concernant nos guides, les 3 que nous avons parlent français, anglais, allemand et espagnol. Peut-être que ceux qui ne parlent pas français sont ceux qui l'ont aidé avec les chevaux, qui sont des personnes qui ne travaillent pas dans notre entreprise mais habitent à proximité et gagnent leur vie en aidant les clients avec les chevaux pour que le client leur donne un pourboire ce qui n'est pas obligatoire
M
Mélissa P
August 5, 2022 · via Tripadvisor
Mixed
I advise against leaving punta cana because there are more roads than visits. The guide doesn't speak French at all. And we have to pay extra to pay the people who take us to the island because they are volunteers and are not paying to take us.
After that it’s very beautiful it’s still a few things to do but no punta cana
Operator response
Salut! bonjour mon cher, apparemment il y a une confusion ici. Dans cette excursion, absolument tout est inclus, il n'est pas nécessaire de payer un peso à quiconque s'il a été facturé dans notre dos et nous aimerions que vous nous écriviez en privé afin que vous puissiez nous fournir le nom ou les caractéristiques de la personne qui a facturé tu. parce que nous allons enquêter, en fait dans notre description, il est inclus là où il est dit que tout est inclus. mais si je souhaite que vous m'écriviez en privé au watsap par lequel vous avez été contacté. sur le guide, nous enquêterons également puisque nos guides parlent 5 langues. Notre personnel fait même savoir aux clients lors de l'embarquement qu'ils n'ont pas à donner un peso à personne que cette excursion est entièrement payée. J'aimerais que vous m'aidiez à rechercher qui vous a facturé puisque cette excursion n'a aucun coût supplémentaire. parfois il y a des gens qui vivent dans les environs qui aident les touristes à tirer le cheval, ils le font pour un pourboire mais ils n'appartiennent pas à notre entreprise. ce sont plutôt des personnes à faible revenu qui vivent de cela, mais ce n'est pas qu'elles appartiennent à notre personnel ou qu'elles doivent les payer. le client donne un pourboire s'il le souhaite mais pas parce que c'est obligatoire. Merci de m'écrire en privé, nous vous remercierons.
M
Mogo12345678990
July 31, 2022 · via Tripadvisor
Waterfall on top!
- waterfall and beach are tops!
BUT, mistreatment of the horses (they are tired and they are constantly whipped to go faster), moreover it has not been noted that we will go horse riding during the excursion and that we have a guide for each horse. These are not paid by the company and as everything is included in the day trip we therefore had no money to pay them (we were very uncomfortable then).
Operator response
bon après-midi, excusez-moi mais ces chevaux ne sont pas maltraités puisqu'ils sont entraînés pour les routes. Deuxièmement, cette excursion est tout compris, le prix des chevaux est inclus, cependant, si le client le souhaite, il peut lui donner un pourboire (Non obligatoire) Le pourboire est si vous le souhaitez, il n'est pas obligatoire. si les garçons l'ont chargé, c'était dans son dos car cette excursion est incluse. sur l'équitation est facultatif. si tu veux tu peux le faire mais aussi. parfois il y a des gens qui vivent dans les environs qui aident les touristes à tirer le cheval, ils le font pour un pourboire mais ils n'appartiennent pas à notre entreprise. ce sont plutôt des personnes à faible revenu qui vivent de cela, mais ce n'est pas qu'elles appartiennent à notre personnel ou qu'elles doivent les payer. le client donne un pourboire s'il le souhaite mais pas parce que c'est obligatoire.
5
514beautys
March 4, 2022 · via Tripadvisor
Samana
beautiful excursion. beautiful lemon waterfall and whales a show. be impressed. very good attention
R
R1729TPnormaa
August 3, 2021 · via Tripadvisor
Unique and special experience
It was a nice experience, I loved the places I went. And the guide Samuel very good person, very attentive and friendly
2 people found this helpful
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