Las Galeras

Las Galeras is a small village at the far north-eastern tip of the Samaná Peninsula, quite literally at the end of the road from Samaná town. It is quieter, simpler and less developed than Las Terrenas: one main street, a crossroads with a few shops and restaurants, fishing boats pulled up on the sand and a handful of small hotels, guesthouses and villas tucked into the greenery.

People come here for the beaches around it. The village has two of its own: Playa Grande, the main beach where the boats leave from, and La Playita, a calmer, forest-backed cove on the west side of town. From Playa Grande, boat captains run trips to Playa Frontón, Playa Madama and Playa Rincón, and Rincón is also about 30 to 40 minutes away by road. Hikers can walk to Madama and Frontón through the forest, ideally with a local guide. Our Las Galeras boat trip page explains how to arrange it.

The pace is slow and the village is mostly about small, independent places to stay. Expect guesthouses, small boutique hotels, cabins and rental villas rather than all-inclusive resorts. A cliff-top meal at El Cabito east of the village is a local classic, and the restaurants around the crossroads serve everything from pica pollo (Dominican fried chicken) and plato del día (set lunch) to pizza and seafood.

Practical notes: bring cash. ATMs in the village are limited and foreign cards do not always work, so it is wise to withdraw what you need in Samaná town or Las Terrenas. Motoconchos (motorbike taxis) and a few taxis handle local transport; agree on prices before you ride. The last stretch of road into the village has had potholes in recent years, which matters if you are driving at night. Hotels fill up over Christmas and Semana Santa (Easter week), so book ahead for those dates.

Getting here: From Samaná El Catey airport (AZS), allow roughly 1.5 hours by car. From Santa Bárbara de Samaná, it is about 40 minutes to an hour by car or guagua (local minibus). From Santo Domingo, plan on 3 to 3.5 hours by road, or take a bus to Samaná town and continue by guagua.

Best for: travelers who want quiet, nature and boat-access beaches, couples, hikers and snorkelers, and anyone who prefers small guesthouses to resorts. Not ideal for: nightlife seekers, travelers who need lots of dining choice, or anyone who wants an all-inclusive.