Las Galeras Dominican Republic

Las Galeras Dominican Republic is located on the eastern tip of the Samana Peninsula and edged by the Atlantic ocean. It is around 40 minutes drive from Las Terrenas.

Whilst neither village is `busy`, Las Galeras is the quieter of the two.

Check out the map to the right and you will see that it lies to the North East of Samana [Santa Barbera de Samana].

Fishing community

It is a destination for those wishing to enjoy the Dominican republic but not from within the confines of an all-inclusive resort.

Las Galeras Dominican Republic is a small fishing community and retains the tranquility that comes with that.

This area has the fantastic clear Caribbean seas, dramatic cliffs and extensive white sand beaches.

Las Galeras Beaches

Playa Las Galeras

Playa Las Galleras, Samana, Dominican republic This is the main beach of Las Galeras. You may expect to be able to eat fresh fish here and you won`t be disappointed.

This beach provides you with the boat transportation to other local beaches.

You will find a Dominican fish restaurant on this beach.

Playa Rincon

You can get to this stunning beach for about $15US per person by boat. Alternatively you could walk about 2 hours to get there!

You will find a couple of seafood restaurants at Playa Rincon.

Above :Playa Las Galeras

Playa Fronton

One for diving and snorkelling! Check out those fish and the coral reef.

To get to this beach you can hire a boat from the beach in Las Galeras, or alternatively, drive till La Rancheta and hike for the good 4.5 km to Playa Fronton!

There is a fairly high ridge bordering the beach which means that it is sunny till about mid afternoon

. After that time it is in the shadow of the ridge, and can lack sun.

Nevertheless Playa Fronton is one of the more beautiful beaches of Las Galeras.

Playa El Valle

This beach is located between 2 mountains and is located between Samana and Las Galeras. You'll need a car to get there and this one is a possibility for surfing.

Playa Coson

Playa Coson has a string of unnamed beaches were you can walk for miles on the soft white sand. It also has some waves and those into fishing can catch Baracuda around Playa Coson.

Playa Bonita, Las Galeras, Samana, Dominican Republic Las Galeras Dominican Republic [cont]

Las Terrenas Las Terrenas itself has an extensive, shallow and beautiful beach, with crystalline waters and golden sand.

Most of the time the beach is fairly free of significant waves however it does feature some snorkeling and stunning multicolor sunsets.

Below: Playa Cozon

Below: Playa Bonita

Getting to Las Galeras Dominican Republic

This area was quite difficult to get to in the past and in some regards Las Terrenas Dominican Republic was, until recently, fairly isolated from the rest of the country.

By air

If you are flying internally you could try Portillo Airport or if you are arriving internationally there is the Samana El Catey International Airport. El Catey is about an hour drive from Samana town and it is mainly used for connections in Europe and Canada.

If you are flying internally in the DR the flight to Samana from Las Americas [Santo Domingo], La Romana or Punta Cana is between 30 to 45 minutes.

Las Galeras Dominican Republic [cont]

By car:

Samana to Las Galeras is about a 30 minute drive. Follow the road from Samana town until you hit the beach!

A taxi from Samana would cost about 500 peso`s.

The roads in the Samana-Las Galeras area are in poor condition so you will need to either hire an SUV or a vehicle that is not low slung. This especially the case if you also want to get to Playa Rincon. This will make the experience less uncomfortable.

Since the new highway between Santo Domingo and Samana was completed, people from the capital can make the a 2.5 hr journey to Las Galeras.

By Bus

There is also a direct bus from Santo Domingo to Las Galeras twice a day.

Las Galeras Dominican Republic [cont]

Activities and Excursions

If you going between about January and early April whale watching is very popular. Click here for more on the humpback whale.

Los Haitises National Park is also worth a look, find out more by clicking this link.

If culture is what you are after check out La Churcha in Samana

Sport Fishing

If you are in the area between November to January that is the prime time for Sailfish. Blue Marlin and Sailfish are available from October until February. Sailish, Las Galeras, Samana, Sort fishing, Dominican Republic

If you are into sport fishing you can hire a boat [28`] and equipment for around $600 for a 6 hour day [2009 rates]. You could get 4 people on the boat.

These charters tend to include soft drinks, water, and snacks.