Arroyo Barril port to begin operations in Samaná on November 24

The Arroyo Barril port in Samaná, Dominican Republic, is scheduled to officially begin operations on November 24, 2026. The inaugural arrival will be the cruise ship MSC Opera, carrying approximately 2,000 passengers. Mauricio Hamui, CEO of ITM, the company managing the terminal, stated that the port projects receiving 220,000 cruise passengers next year, with a goal of reaching 450,000 visitors by 2028.

Following the launch, larger vessels are expected, including the Legend of the Seas, which is scheduled to arrive on January 7, 2027, with a capacity for roughly 7,600 people. The project aims to boost the local economy and create employment opportunities within the Samaná province.

To support this growth, the Ministry of Tourism has initiated a second phase of urban road reconstruction in Arroyo Barril. This phase involves an investment exceeding RD$88 million to improve more than five kilometers of streets, curbs, and sidewalks. Tourism Minister David Collado noted that these infrastructure improvements are intended to ensure that the benefits of tourism reach the local communities directly.