Main international airport
Transport from Santo domingo:
1. A taxi will cost $150 – $200 USD. We can arrange a pickup with one of regular taxi services.
2. Car rental from airport
3. Local transport – cheapest option 400 pesos each ($9 USD)
Excellent express coach service – direct coaches to Las Terrenas.
There is a bus stop for these buses a 10 min taxi ride from the airport (so no need to go in and out of the city centre).
Closest international airport
How far away is the beach?
As these beaches are away from the town they are less touristic and very often you can experience long stretches of stunning beach completely to yourself.
Renting a car
As a suggestion: You could rent a car from PC (journey time would be 4-5 hrs)… then whilst based here (suggestion we make to our guests that arrive in a car), to get around locally, use the moto-conchos or rent ATV quad, scooter, bike or buggy car …. being openly connected with the environment really will make a huge difference to quality of your experience here. Plus its really good fun!
Walking to beaches and town?
Buses from SD to LT
Parada Samana – Terminal ASOTRAPUSA
Calle Barahona
(Behind Plaza Lama)
Zona Colonial
Express Coach: Route – Direct to Las Terrenas
comfy spacious seats, air-conditioning, WIFI – journey time 2.5hrs: cost 350 pesos ($8 USD)
Bus times: 08:30am & 13:30pm
Normal smaller bus: Route via Sanchez
not so comfy, smaller seats, air-conditioning – journey time 3 hrs: cost 300 pesos ($7 USD)
09:30am, 11.00am (Express Route), 15:00pm
ARRIVAL:
If you can advise from where and how you shall be arriving (i.e. Santo Domingo by car or bus…) then I can give you the most appropriate detailed info. on how to get to us.
Is a car necessary?
If you wish to explore further afield – for example to visit Las Galeres (which is at the end of the Samana Peninsular), then I suggest renting a car would be more appropriate so you can make a full day trip.
(You can travel there by public transport although you would lose half a day just doing that, unless you plan to stay overnight there).
In general, public transport services are sufficiently developed surprisingly excellent here in DR. It’s one thing I am continuously amazed at – even the small buses that run locally between close towns, villages. Cheap, efficient, safe and run on time.
Arriving from Punta Cana?
We don’t have any specific transport arrangement set up but there are various options:
1. Taxi – we can arrange with our taxi guy = the price is normally $400 USD 1 way
We could see if he can give a special price for both ways.
2. There is a (blacklisted entity hidden) page set up for airport taxi shares to and from Las Terrenas – I can send you the link to that
and you can see maybe there are other people also traveling to / from PC.
3. public transport: Much cheaper option by far: In total approx.. $16 USD per/person.
Excellent express service – although the journey time could be approx. 7 hours all together
You will need to take 2 different buses: 1st from PC to Santo Domingo and the second from SD to Las Terrenas
Also depending on your flight arrival time in PC will determine whether you may need to stay in PC for the 1st night
The coach journey can easily be done in one day: but leaving PC by 11:00am to ensure you meet the last connecting bus
from SD to LT.
I can give you more details regarding this if and when needed.
Renting Local Vehicles?
And most will make discounts on 3 days or more:
Car = $45 USD (starting from..)
Scooter = $25 USD
Motorbike = $30 USD
ATV Quad = $50 USD
Our recommendations:
1. A & M rentals
Just before & next to Police station (just after El Paseo Plaza)
2. RICHARDS
Just after the police Station
3. EVENT CARS
A couple of mins walk back to town from apartment
(opposite a car taxi rank)
4. OVIDIO
On left just after bridge crossing on lower part Calle Duarte
(opposite Plaza Piatinni)
Choosing Samana Peninsular?
landscape, people, it’s certainly a great place to choose as a base in which to experience and discover the real DR.
Things to do!
Really too many details to mention all in a message but we can certainly discuss all possible options once you are here and help you plan your days to maximize a real Dominican experience.
As a pre-cursor, our personal recommendations, you may want to check out:
Beaches: Playa (Punta) Bonita, Playa Coson (Luis Restaurant), Playa Fronton (great for snorkelling) / Playa Madame (last 2 are both in Las Galeres – would be a full day trip):
Excursions – Los Haitises National Park;
Jurassic Park Excursions- the following are exclusive only to our guests –
Virgin Falls El Limon with Fausto (non-touristic alternative to the more well-known Salto El limon cascada);
Hiking – up the river with natural pools route and surrounding landscape
Eve / moonlight excursion to the old La Ceiba tree (Our own avatar tree!)
both of these last 2 mentioned are within close proximity to our property.
Activities:
Surfing / Kite surfing; Kayaking; zip-lining (Playa Valle Samana).
Other:
If you like / love dancing, and fancy trying out some authentic Dominican bachata (or merengue, or Salsa), we can connect you with the best (most fun) dancers and teachers if you would like to take some lessons.
Or / and if you just want to practice dancing then there are plenty of different evening venues can steer you towards.
Fun place for kids?
Along with being in a Dominican neighborhood amongst really the friendliest people, it will be a great base and amazing experience for you and your kids to explore and really get to know the local way of life.
Our own kids, Safiya 12 yrs and Zaidan 8 yrs, love having other children here to share their jungle life with.
What is the Cabin set up?
This year we have decided to have just 4 Cabins available for rentals. So no 2 rentals are actually next to each other – meaning more privacy.
All the Cabins sleep up to 4 guests and are a studio style with the same layout and private amenities: – 1 queen bed and 1 adult-size bunk bed, bathroom, kitchen area, terrace with hammock and small garden area. The only slight difference is in size and decor and level of privacy.
Do you serve meals?
Both meals are served at your private Cabin terrace.
For at least 7 nights, or more, reservation we currently have a special offer where the accommodation price includes dinner on your 1st night and breakfast for your 1st morning.
If you wish to take the breakfast and dinner at other times during your stay the price is as follows – per person / per day :
Breakfast = RD$1,000 ($19 USD)
Includes: fresh natural juice, plate of seasonal fresh fruits, empanada
(vegetable + cheese), eggs + toast, coffee or tea
Dinner = RD$1,500 ($29 USD)
Includes: 3 course meal (vegetarian) with a glass of wine
NB: All our meals are vegetarian. Please advise beforehand if you have any other dietary specifics: i.e. vegan, gluten free etc..
What are the local restaurants like?
What is food shopping like?
There a few small local convenience stores (colmados) 5 min walk from our place, which sell a variety of basic produce.
Las Terrenas town has a much wider choice of good big supermarkets, small Domincian mini-markets, and organic fruit & Veg shops.
The town centre is about 7-10 mins away by vehicle.
Nearby restaurant and food?
There is also a small Colmado (convenience store) selling a variety of basic produce.
Las Terrenas town of course has a big range of supermarkets, fruit and veg shops and a huge variety of restaurants to suit all cuisine tastes.
What is the nightlife like?
Whale watching (mid Jan – mid Mar)
She is a marine mammal specialist with these whales (she even knows them by name!)
I would advise you to make a reservation before you arrive as she appears to be booked up at least 3 days ahead.
You can make the reservation via email or call the office. details as below:
Tel: (1) 829 538 2494
Email: kim@whalesamana.com
WEB: www.whalesamana.com
Price: $59 USD + $3 USD (marine mammal conservation)
Virgin Falls excursion with Fausto
A perfect alternative to the more popular, tourist waterfall ‘Salto de El Limon’
Hiking through beautiful mountain range behind and above the village of El Limon – with amazing coastline and mountainous jungle views
Fausto (the gentle giant) is your guide. You will automatically feel a sense of pride and passion as he walks you through his family’s land, imparting his wealth of knowledge of the local flora, fauna and fruits (which you will of course get to taste along the way).
Arriving down at the magnificent Virgin Falls cascada, Fausto and his son will prepare lunch whilst you swim in the beautiful cool freshwater pools in and surrounding the waterfall.
If you feel more adventurous, and time permitting, there are a whole series of waterfalls below this area to be discovered and experienced.
Truly a hidden gem.
We have personally done this trip many times with guests and visiting family / friends. Every time amazing as if new and unforgettable.
This is a full day excursion: (approx: 8/9am to 6-7pm)
Time is only governed by leaving Él Limon before it gets dark.
Price is 3,300 pesos per person ($65 USD).
Includes: Guide, transport & lunch.
Not included: tip for the guide
Cancellation policy
Unused additions such as Taxi or Food will be refunded in full.