See large domesticated fish in their natural habitat as they swarm around the coral gardens in this aquarium off the Grand Paradise Resort in Las Galeras.
The oldest building in Santa Bárbara de Samaná and a cultural heritage site, this 18th century wooden church was built by freed African-Americans. They emigrated to Samaná after the Haitian Government offered them free farmland during the Haitian occupation of Hispaniola island. To this day, La Churcha–the name is a Dominican twist on the English word “church”–practices the African Methodist Episcopal faith, and its attendees are descendants of African Americans. Its beautiful Gothic design, a stand out in the town, is a structure shipped directly from England in the early 20th century to replace its prior version. If you’re visiting during the summer, look out for traditional harvest festivals taking place on church grounds from June to October.
