Whales in Samana and the beer fountain in Zalec: when to go and what to see
Every winter, humpback whales come to Samaná Bay. From January through March they travel to the warm shores of the Dominican Republic to give birth, and during this time boats with tourists head out to sea almost every day. By late March the animals begin moving north to their feeding grounds.
The second story in this news comes from Slovenia. In the town of Žalec there is a beer fountain called Zeleno zlato: instead of water, it pours beer. People travel there specifically for it.
We have gathered the essentials on both stories: when to go for the whales, how to get to Samaná, and how the unusual fountain works.
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Humpback whales in Samaná Bay
💡 In short:
- The whale watching season runs from January through March; outside this window boats do not go out to the animals.
- Humpback whales come close to shore, and you can see them right from the boat: blows, tail slaps, sometimes breaches.
© Anton Bielousov · CC BY-SAPhoto: Anton Bielousov, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0), Wikimedia CommonsSamaná Bay is not a random stop for humpbacks. In summer these whales feed in the cold waters of the North Atlantic, and in winter they travel down to the Caribbean Sea to give birth to their calves. The water here is warm and calm, so females with their young stay close to land.
You will watch the whales from a boat. Tours depart from the town of Samaná and from the small settlement of Las Galeras, usually for half a day. The boat approaches the animals carefully, but the distance is short: whales often surface just a few meters from the side of the boat. If whales are the main goal of your trip, choose January or February. The weather is dry, the sea is calmer, and there are more animals.
What to see in Samaná besides whales
Besides whales, the peninsula offers several spots worth adding to your trip. The road to them goes through the town of Samaná or Las Galeras.
Place | What it is | How to get there |
|---|---|---|
El Limón | A waterfall in the tropical forest with swimming at its base | On foot or on horseback from the parking area |
Cayo Levantado | An island with white sand, also called "Bacardi Island" | By boat from the Samaná pier |
Playa Rincón | A long beach in a bay near Las Galeras | By car or boat |
Los Haitises | A national park with mangroves and karst hills | On a boat tour |
According to the official Dominican Republic travel guide, the bay, El Limón waterfall, and Cayo Levantado island are considered must-see spots in the province.
How to get to Samaná
You can reach the peninsula by plane or by car. The nearest airport, El Catey (AZS), serves Samaná itself and the entire peninsula. From Santo Domingo the drive takes 2.5 to 3 hours along the Santo Domingo-Samaná highway (according to the tourism office website). Plan for 3 to 5 days for the trip: that is enough for a whale watching outing, El Limón waterfall, and a beach day.
The beer fountain in Žalec
The idea was simple: to make the town known not only for hops, but also as a place people travel to specifically. The Zeleno zlato beer fountain is exactly that draw. Instead of water, it pours beer, and according to the Žalec tourism office, it is the first such fountain in the world.
© Bertrouf · CC BY-SAPhoto: Bertrouf, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia CommonsŽalec sits in the Savinja Valley in central Slovenia, not far from Celje. Hops have been grown here for centuries, and that is what gave the fountain its name. It all works simply: you buy beer in portions, pour yourself a glass, and try local varieties. Anyone who buys three portions gets a branded mug as a gift, and the price is kept low.
Nearby there is the Ekomuzej hop-growing and brewing museum, and in the surrounding area you should see the Roman necropolis in Šempeter and the Jama Pekel cave.
⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to go to Samaná for whales?
It is best to choose January or February, when there are more whales in the bay than at any other time.
Can you see whales without a tour?
From the shore whales are almost impossible to see, because the animals stay in the open part of the bay. Watching them is easier from a boat, so tours remain the main option. Boats depart from the town of Samaná and from Las Galeras.
How do you get to Samaná?
You can fly into El Catey Airport (AZS) or drive from Santo Domingo.
Does the fountain in Žalec work?
Yes, the Zeleno zlato beer fountain is operating: it pours local beer that you taste on the spot. It does not require a separate tour.
In short: what to book
It is best to plan your whale watching trip a couple of months ahead: during the season, boats and hotels in Samaná sell out quickly. Choose January or February and check whale watching tours on GetYourGuide and hotel prices in Samaná on Trip.com in advance. The fountain in Žalec does not require a separate booking.
A small editorial team writing guides for independent travel. We travel ourselves, but we haven’t been everywhere, so we check prices, opening hours and how to get there against official sources.