Las Terrenas
A fishing village turned expat community, Las Terrenas has developed into a cosmopolitan town where restaurants and hotels run by people from all around the world inhabit classic Dominican architecture. Situated on the picturesque coast of the Samaná peninsula, Las Terrenas’ biggest attraction is its natural beauty. Lounge on gorgeous beaches and explore lush surrounds.
Las Terrenas is the perfect base from which to visit the peninsula and beyond. Discover the rainforests of the mountainous Parque Nacional Los Haitises (Los Haitises National Park), the Dominican Republic's most diverse national park. Covering 618 square miles (1,600 square kilometers), this protected virgin forest has everything from caverns covered in Native American pictographs to a vast array of birds including hawks, herons and pelicans, for the keen bird-watcher to spot. Look for dinosaurs too; this was where they filmed some scenes of Jurassic Park after all.
Closer to the town is the spectacular waterfall of El Limón, which is about half-an-hour away by car. Plunge into the azure pools beneath the cascade, then ride home on horseback through banana and coconut plantations. This is a beautifully preserved area, so think green on your travels, respect nature and wear sturdy shoes you don't mind getting wet.
Stay in the town for some more relaxed options. Golden sands and crystal clear waters provide the perfect place to sunbathe and swim. Try the Playa Bonita for snorkeling, Playa Cosón for seafood and surfing or Playa Las Ballenas for watching sunset. Feast at the end of the day on Italian, French or Japanese food in one of the many eclectic restaurants that Las Terrenas has to offer.
Marvel at the magnificent humpback whales that visit the area in their thousands from January to March. These mighty mammals come to the waters of Samaná to mate every year. Try to spot them breaching, when they jump into the air and land with a giant splash.
Las Terrenas is located 30 minutes away from El Catey International Airport (AZS). You can also reach the town by bus from several locations across the country. The weather is warm year-round, so visit at any time to experience the diverse culture and landscape of this paradise-like destination.