Sabana de la Mar

Sabana de la Mar is a fishing and port town on the southern shore of Samaná Bay, about 40 km west of Miches. Technically it is in Hato Mayor province rather than El Seibo, but for travelers it belongs to the same stretch of coast, and the coast road from Miches runs straight to it through small villages such as Las Cañitas.

Most visitors come for the water connections. Sabana de la Mar is the closest town to the eastern side of Los Haitises National Park, with its mangroves, karst islets and caves, and boat trips into the park start from this side of the bay. A small passenger ferry has long crossed from Sabana de la Mar to Santa Bárbara de Samaná on the Samaná peninsula, which makes it possible to combine Miches and Samaná without driving all the way around the bay. Booking listings in 2026 put the crossing at roughly 45 minutes to an hour and a quarter depending on the sea, with tickets resold online from around $20 per adult. It carries passengers only, not cars, and the first boat of the morning usually has the calmest water. Schedules, prices and boat sizes change, so confirm the day before and expect a more basic service than a tourist catamaran. Some tours also use a pier at Las Cañitas, between Miches and Sabana de la Mar, for boat crossings toward Samaná.

The town itself is small and unpolished: a waterfront, a market area, colmados and simple places to eat fresh fish. There is little tourist infrastructure, few English speakers and no beach resorts. The local beaches are working fishing beaches rather than places to spend a day.

Where it fits in a trip: as a jumping-off point. If you are staying on the Costa Esmeralda, a Los Haitises boat day starting here is far shorter than the same trip from Punta Cana. Independent travelers heading on to Samaná can stay a night here and catch a morning boat.

Getting there: from Miches town, allow around an hour on the coast road. From Punta Cana airport the drive is roughly 2.5 to 3 hours. From Santo Domingo, the most direct route is via Hato Mayor.

Who it is for: travelers linking Miches with Samaná, and anyone booking Los Haitises from this side of the bay. Who it is not for: travelers looking for a beach base.