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Review of Viva Wyndham V Samaná – Playa Cosón, Dominican Republic||The Viva Wyndham V Samaná is an adults-only, all-inclusive resort located on the northeastern coast of the Dominican Republic, directly along Playa Cosón. This stretch of beach sits on the Samaná Peninsula, a region known for its lush green hills rolling down into the Atlantic Ocean. ||The geography here is striking: palm tree dotted coastline, thick tropical vegetation, and a backdrop of low mountains that create both privacy and adventure. ||Wildlife adds to the charm—feral but friendly cats and dogs wander nearby and horses graze in the distance and the sound of waves reminded me I was on vacation:||Getting There|If possible, fly directly into Samaná. Coming from Atlanta, we flew into Santo Domingo, which included a three-hour flight, a 90-minute wait at customs, and then a 2.5-hour, $500 round trip drive to the resort. Manageable, but it made for a full travel day.||First Impressions & Atmosphere|The resort is small but pleasant, with an intimate feel. The property is beautifully landscaped with palm trees that provide plenty of natural shade, eliminating the need to compete for umbrellas.||The beach is the star attraction—soft sand, expansive views of the turquoise Atlantic, and steady breezes under the palms. Even with many people around, the lush greenery makes it feel as if you have the place to yourself. The first two days brought strong winds, but by the second half of our stay the ocean was calm, swimmable, and watched over carefully by an attentive lifeguard.||Activities Onsite and Nearby|The daily activity schedule is okay. Aqua aerobics was fun. The resort also has boogie boards, Hobie Cats, and kite surfing gear, and my husband—an avid adventurer—took full advantage. He sailed Hobie Cats in perfect wind and it was awesome cruising around the Atlantic.||He also ventured off property a few times:| • Hiking into the hills above the resort, where he met locals including the owners of a turkey farm.| • Exploring both ends of Playa Cosón, attempting snorkeling in a river on the western end (without much luck).| • Surfing at the Surf Hut, where he received a free scooter ride from the surf instructor to retrieve cash for the lesson.||Beyond the property, the area offers city and nature tours as well as a popular full-day catamaran excursion. If we’d had an extra day or two, I would have signed up. ||Personally, my favorite activity was simply relaxing under the palm tree canopy with a book and the ocean breeze.||Food, Drinks, and Service|Meals leaned heavily toward fish, served at nearly every meal, alongside a variety of Dominican and international dishes. Even when I didn’t recognize something, it was good. Drinks came from a long cocktail list including mocktails. ||The front desk staff were polite but not overly hand-holding—expect to figure out details yourself. Staff professionalism was consistent, though English is limited here. My Spanish is minimal, and I sometimes felt they were mildly annoyed, but they remained courteous and efficient. Most guests were Dominican, with a smaller portion of Europeans.||Rooms & Amenities|Rooms are basic, slightly dated, but clean—not luxurious, but comfortable. Our room was located in a perfect spot - close to the main buffet, pool, and beach. We had a splash pool and patio and enjoyed it. ||Health & Safety Notes|On my second day, I stepped on something sharp and hole walking on the sand. painful at first, then swollen and very itchy by the third day. The resort clinic staff were excellent and provided medication that finally let me sleep itch-free. ||Packing Tips| • Travel laundry line| • Small bills for tipping| • Ear plugs| • Bug spray for off-property trips| • Basic meds: Benadryl, Dulcolax, LMNT or electrolytes| • Spanish cheat sheet for repeatable questions and pleasantries||Final Thoughts|The Viva Wyndham V Samaná is not about luxury—it’s about slowing down. Oceanside naps, hammocks under palms, a book in hand, fresh fish, and all the rum cocktails you need. It’s not perfect—the rooms show age, and English is limited—but the setting is unbeatable. If you want a combination of quiet rest and optional adventure, this resort offers both.||We left after four days wishing for just one more.