LAS GALERAS, a tropical oasis

Just 35 minutes from the town of Santa Barbara, at the end of the Samana peninsula, nestled in the protected Rincon bay, Las Galeras seems to live in slow motion, ignoring the stress what allows it to remain really authentic. Its main street leads to the beach and brings together few restaurants and shops in the village where you can buy souvenirs and the essentials. Las Galeras offer a very light night life except for the weekends in the bars on the main street.

 During the day the fishermen wait on the beach of Las Galeras to take visitors on a boat ride to other beaches of their choice. No less than 9 wonderful beaches surround Las Galeras: Playita, Caleton, Colorado, Esmeralda, Escondido, Rincon, Madame, Fronton and Playa del Amor. They are all beautiful, virgin and really exceptional.

 Playita is at a walking distance and the impressive hills with view on the bay can be reached by horseback ride or with mountain bike. Diving into the natural aquarium created by Kaio Morito, a Japanese wildlife biologist, who has managed to tame an impressive number of species of fish in a natural coral garden, is also a unique experience.

We like:

The hotel Todo Blanco, a gorgeous all white colonial house with 8 rooms and breathtaking views of the bay, almost on the beach. (Hoteltodoblanco.com).

Villa Serena, the most famous place of Las Galeras, with 18 rooms divided in several colonial houses, each with ocean view. (Villaserena.com)

The Sarah ChaletTropical, with its 5 ethnically decorated villas around a wonderful tropical garden. (Chalettropical.com),

For small budget, check out the LE BDM guesthouse in the heart of the village which is also the new creperie of Las Galeras.

Places to be:

To have a drink at El Cabito and admire the depths of the ocean from its terrace (vertiginous); taste the talents of Manuela in her restaurant El Nido Del Pirata, or try Pierre’s Thai menu in his watchtower restaurant Monte Azul.