Las Terrenas, Dominican Republic

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If you only go to one place in the Dominican Republic, you should go to the Samana Peninsula. If you go to the Samana Peninsula, make sure you visit Las Terrenas. Located about 150 miles from Santo Domingo in the northwest DR, Las Terrenas is a classic Caribbean paradise, a small fishing village that has been transformed by expatriated foreigners into a simple but comfortable tourist getaway.

The main town contains some beautiful old buildings along a typical fishing village main street which ends at the ocean. The street is a mix of modern and classically rural Dominican, with good restaurants, bars, and hotels. But the highlights of Las Terrenas are the ten miles of beaches and surrounding landscape—arguably the most picturesque in the country. The large sunny beaches are surrounded by green hills and pure blue sea water. The harmony between the three colors—creamy white sand, blue ocean, and green trees—is magical.

Every year the seas around Las Terrenas are visited by over three thousand humpback whales, who come to mate in the winter and spring. Charter boats and whale tours offer the opportunity to see and photograph these majestic creatures up-close, and the whale sanctuary is on the way to beautiful island of Cayo Levantado.

For years, Las Terrenas was only accessible by winding dirt roads, but the construction of the Samana El Catey airport and a fast toll highway from Santo Domingo has made it much more accessible, although no less appealing. If you're in the area, the even more secluded town of Las Galeras Dominican Republic is also well worth a visit.

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