The airline company Air CaribbeanLuxe Infinity, already present in the Dominican Republic for thirteen years with flights to Santo Domingo and Punta Cana, has become the first airline to directly connect Paris to Samaná, one of the island's most pristine and spectacular regions. Luxe Infinity was among the privileged few who boarded the inaugural flight and experienced a stay exploring Samaná and some of its most luxurious hotels.
Air Caraïbes spared no expense in celebrating this new direct route between Paris-Orly Airport and Samaná Airport. Founded in 2000 and a subsidiary of the Vendée-based Dubreuil Group, the company now employs 1,238 people and is the second largest airline group in France.
An official inauguration and several highlights were organized from the moment of departure at Orly, but also upon arrival, on the tarmac and then in the terminal at El Catey Airport in Samaná. The guests on this inaugural flight – French press and tour operators – had the privilege of traveling aboard the most modern aircraft currently operating on long-haul routes: the Airbus A350-900.
Marc Rochet, founder and president of Aérogestion and former CEO of Air Caraïbes from 2004 to 2023, explained that this is "the most efficient, comfortable, modern, and fuel-efficient aircraft for these long-haul flights." The aircraft are configured in three classes – Madras/Business, Caraïbes/Premium Economy, and Soleil/Economy – to offer an experience tailored to all types of travelers.
On this inaugural daytime flight between Orly and Samaná, Luxe Infinity had the opportunity to experience the Madras Class. The first three rows of the Airbus A350 are equipped with premium seats, offering passengers a particularly comfortable experience. For this fully booked flight with 388 passengers on board, the airline commissioned Chef Alexandre Cossette to design the meals. The Madras Class menu featured amuse-bouches with foie gras and lobster. The first course consisted of scallops in citrus carpaccio with velvety avocado cream, crispy brunoise, caviar, and fish gel. Three equally refined main courses followed, before concluding with fine cheeses and a chocolate dessert by Lenôtre.
Upon arrival at El Catey Airport in Samaná, Hugues Heddebault, Air Caraïbes' commercial director, emphasized that this region had not been chosen at random: "After Punta Cana and Santo Domingo, Samaná is the ideal complement to the two previous destinations, because it is a destination focused on nature, discovery, and eco-responsibility. Another advantage for Air Caraïbes and its customers is the ability to arrive in one of the three cities and depart from another."
The Dominican Republic is the second largest island in the Antilles after Cuba. Bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the north and the Caribbean Sea to the south, it shares a 376-kilometer land border with Haiti. The country has 32 regions, including the Samaná Peninsula. Air Caraïbes now offers three complementary travel experiences with a total of twelve flights per week: Santo Domingo, the historic and cultural capital; Punta Cana, an iconic beach destination; and Samaná, a more secluded and unspoiled natural peninsula.
It is particularly in Samaná Bay that humpback whales can be observed in winter – between January and March – during boat excursions.
The delegation invited by Air Caraïbes spent two days exploring the Samaná region before heading to Santo Domingo.
Located 55 kilometers from El Catey Airport and less than ten kilometers from the town of Samaná, the Bahia Principe Grand Samaná hotel had been chosen for the first part of the trip. Reserved for adults, the hotel boasts direct access to a secluded beach, a large swimming pool, and a gym. Upon the guests' arrival, a white party had been organized on the terraces: buffets of Caribbean dishes, Caribbean cocktails, music, and dancing immediately set the tone.
The following morning, an excursion was planned to discover the famous El Limón waterfall, one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the Dominican Republic, nestled in the heart of the rainforest. This 45-meter-high waterfall, cascading down rocky walls covered in green moss, plunges into a natural pool of crystal-clear, cool water, where visitors readily take a refreshing dip. To reach it, one must follow a rocky path, crossing plantations of coffee, cacao, and tropical fruits. The walk can be done on foot or on horseback: allow approximately 45 minutes on foot and 20 minutes on horseback, as there is no road access.
The excursion concluded with lunch at Ranch La Manzana, where a typical Dominican buffet awaited the delegation.
After a stop at El Anclón Square, the afternoon of this first day was dedicated to visiting four of the most beautiful hotels in Las Terrenas, a small fishing village located north of the Samaná region, about 20 kilometers from the waterfall. The Bahia Principe Grand El Portillo complex gave a particularly warm welcome to the group from France: a short dance in the lobby, followed by the distribution of non-alcoholic cocktails served in whole pineapples. Due to the size of the various communal buildings and villas, the visit was conducted both on foot and by golf cart. The numbers are staggering: more than 600 rooms and suites, three swimming pools, seven restaurants and seven bars, as well as a gym, a tennis court, a volleyball court, a spa, a water park for children, spaces dedicated to meetings and events, and a nightclub.
A 25-minute walk from the fishing village, also in Las Terrenas, the beachfront Donoma Las Terrenas Beach Hotel & Spa, Autograph Collection, is just steps from Las Ballenas Beach. It features a private beach and a wellness center offering wraps, body scrubs, and pedicures. The hotel also includes room service, a restaurant, a water park, and an outdoor pool.
The last two hotels visited are side by side and both have direct access to the beach: Sublime Samaná and Viva V Samaná by Wyndham.
Sublime Samaná offers two outdoor pools, a spa with a whirlpool, and treatment rooms, including those dedicated to couples. Beach massages, traditional massages, and hot stone massages are also available. Treatments offered include aromatherapy, body scrubs, wraps, and facials. The facilities also include a hammam.
The Viva Wyndham V Samaná, on the other hand, is an adults-only, all-inclusive resort. It features an outdoor pool, a tennis court, and a spa. Guests can relax in one of the four restaurants or at one of the resort's bars, including a beach bar and a lounge bar.
On the third day, the journalists had the privilege of visiting Cayo Levantado ResortLocated opposite the Bahia Principe Grand Samaná hotel where they were staying, this true hidden paradise, nestled on the private island of Cayo Levantado, a ten-minute boat ride from Samaná, is Luxe Infinity's favorite. It caters to those seeking a Dominican experience focused on well-being, rejuvenation, and relaxation in a luxurious yet pristine setting.
The resort explains that "local culture and lifestyle, sustainability, and the care of mind, body, and soul are the main inspirations for every space in this brand-new, all-inclusive luxury resort." The buildings have indeed just been completely renovated and taken over by new hotel management. Cayo Levantado Resort features 218 luxury suites and villas, each with meticulously designed interiors. The result is a harmonious blend of Caribbean luxury, culture, and nature, with vibrant hues inspired by tropical flora and the movement of the sea.
Among the outdoor amenities are two white sand beaches, voted among the most beautiful in the world, and two superb swimming pools, one of which is a direct extension of the beach. The resort also boasts five gourmet restaurants, a spa, a gym, and the Yubarta Center, a holistic wellness haven nestled in the heart of tropical gardens.
A personal ambassador is made available to each client in order to develop a completely tailor-made experience: relaxing spa treatments or energizing training programs, Mediterranean cuisine or Dominican specialties, every wish can be anticipated.
A change of scenery at lunchtime with a visit to the hotel BannisterLocated in Puerto Bahia, less than a ten-minute drive from downtown Samaná, the resort features a private marina, outdoor pools, and spacious suites with private balconies. A spa offers massages, body treatments, and a hair salon. For those who enjoy sports, an indoor gym and two tennis courts are also available, in addition to the marina.
The delegation invited by Air Caraïbes then left Samaná for the capital, Santo Domingo, located about two and a half hours away by car. After a two-hour walking tour of the old colonial city – Calle Las Damas, Plaza de España, Isabel la Católica, Plaza de la Catedral, El Conde, Calle Billini – and an introduction to cigar making, a cocktail dinner was held on the rooftop of the Hotel Billini.
Only then did the guests discover where they would spend their last night in the Dominican Republic: the hotel Santo Domingo Bay Convention Resort & Casino, a new boutique hotel from the Globalia group, is located opposite Boca Chica beach and ten minutes from the international airport. The hotel was still under construction and was not officially scheduled to open until January 1, 2026. Nevertheless, it exceptionally hosted a group of travel professionals, requesting their understanding regarding the facilities that were not yet operational and their critical feedback on areas for improvement.
Originally built in 1950 and frequented by the likes of Walt Disney, the hotel has been completely redesigned to now accommodate conferences, delegations, and individual travelers. Its main attractions include direct access to Boca Chica beach, two swimming pools located just steps from the sea, a restaurant and breakfast room offering breathtaking ocean views, a rooftop terrace, and a casino.
After a final lunch at the Boca Marina beach restaurant, perched on a platform overlooking the sea, it was off to Santo Domingo airport for the return flight aboard Air Caraïbes' Airbus A350-900. One last pleasant surprise: the crew, already so attentive on the outbound flight, was the same for this overnight return flight.
Scheduled arrival at 9 a.m. at Orly Airport, Paris time, and back to reality after this Dominican getaway. Only one desire: to return as soon as possible…
Text and photos: Carine Lœillet
