Cayo Levantado Resort, Samaná

Perched on a private island in Samaná Bay, Cayo Levantado Resort is a luxury wellness retreat with a cheeky history. Its name means “to rise up,” a nod to a 17th-century pirate rebellion here. Decades later, it earned global fame as “Bacardi Island” after a 1970s rum commercial put its white sands on the map.

The resort’s aesthetic is a love letter to Dominican heritage, envisioned by local architect Ramón Emilio Jiménez. You won’t find generic decor here; instead, the spaces feature vibrant murals by street artist Dovente, tables intricately carved from rare larimar stone, and delicate lamps fashioned from yagumbro leaves.

It is also a massive champion for sustainability. The island operates an advanced atmospheric water generator that whips up 6,000 liters of fresh drinking water daily from the air to eliminate single-use plastics, while a local women’s association crafts the resort’s organic coconut amenities in reusable coconut shells.

True relaxation happens at “Yubarta,” a stunning, cenote-inspired wellness sanctuary named after the Spanish word for humpback whale. This holistic core offers wild experiences like aerial sound healing, where guests are cocooned in hammocks as therapeutic musical instruments resonate directly overhead.

The location is prime for exploring. From January to March, Samaná Bay becomes a global arena for epic humpback whale watching. Adventure out to the mainland peninsula, and you’ll find dense rainforest treks, the famous El Limón waterfall, and breathtaking wild coastlines like Playa Rincón.