Town centre
Food, nightlifeRestaurants and the Pueblo de los Pescadores.
Town guide
Things to do in Las Terrenas
A beach town on the north coast of the Samaná peninsula, with palm-lined sand, a French and Italian food scene, the El Limón waterfall in the hills, and humpback whales a short drive away in winter.
4
Hostels in the city
9.0
Average, from 329 reviews
2.5 h
From Santo Domingo
3–4
Days
Samaná's laid-back beach town
Las Terrenas is a small town on the north shore of the Samaná peninsula, in the north-east of the Dominican Republic. Once a fishing village, it was settled by French and Italian expats from the 1970s onwards, and that mix still shows in its bakeries, restaurants and relaxed, slightly bohemian feel.
The town sits on a long stretch of beach, with Playa Las Ballenas and Playa Punta Popy close to the centre, and quieter beaches such as Playa Bonita and Playa Cosón a short ride away. Inland, the hills hide the El Limón waterfall, reached on foot or on horseback.
Since the motorway from Santo Domingo opened, the town is about two and a half hours from the capital and half an hour from El Catey airport. From mid-January to March, it is an easy base for whale watching in Samaná Bay. Give it three or four days.
Where to base yourself
The centre for food and nightlife, Punta Popy for the beach, or Playa Bonita for quiet.
Punta Popy
Beach, kitesurfThe beach east of the centre.
Playa Bonita
QuietA calmer beach west of town.
Orange labels are neighbourhoods, dots are the 4 top-rated hostels. Map data from OpenStreetMap contributors.
Things to do
Things to do in Las Terrenas
Spend days on the beaches: Playa Las Ballenas and Punta Popy near town, then Playa Bonita and the long, empty Playa Cosón. Kitesurf at Punta Popy, or snorkel off the small islands.
Hike or ride a horse through the hills to the El Limón waterfall, about 40 metres high, with a pool to swim in. Take a boat to Playa Frontón and Playa Madama, or join a whale-watching trip from Samaná town between mid-January and March.
In the evening, walk the Pueblo de los Pescadores, the old fishermen's village turned restaurant row.
Free things
And what it costs nothing to do
All the beaches are free, and walking between them along the sand is the best way to spend a morning.
Sunsets at Punta Popy and evenings in the Pueblo de los Pescadores cost nothing.
The El Limón waterfall charges a small entry fee, and horses and guides cost extra.
Food and drink
Eating and drinking
Las Terrenas eats well. French bakeries sell croissants and baguettes, Italian restaurants serve pizza and pasta, and beach restaurants grill fresh fish and lobster.
Local comedores serve la bandera for €3 to €6, and fish with coconut sauce is the Samaná speciality.
Restaurant bills add 18 per cent tax and a 10 per cent service charge by law, so check whether menu prices include them; a little extra for good service is appreciated.
Nightlife
Going out
Las Terrenas has a relaxed nightlife: beach bars, cocktail bars in the Pueblo de los Pescadores and a couple of clubs that get busy at weekends.
Colmados with music on the street are the local option.
Cocktails cost €4 to €8 and beers €2 to €4.
Getting around
Getting around
Buses and minibuses run from Santo Domingo in about two and a half to three hours, via the motorway. El Catey International Airport, which serves Samaná, is about 30 minutes away.
In town, people walk, cycle and use motoconchos. Quads and scooters are popular for reaching the beaches and the waterfall.
Guaguas link Las Terrenas with Samaná town and Sánchez.
Costs
What Las Terrenas costs
Dorm beds start at around €15 to €25 a night. La bandera costs €3 to €6, and restaurant meals €10 to €20.
The waterfall costs a few euros, horses about €15 to €25, and whale-watching trips about €50 to €80 with transport.
Cards work in many restaurants; carry pesos for comedores and motoconchos.
Safety
Safety and scams
Las Terrenas is generally safe. Petty theft from the beach and rooms happens, so do not leave belongings unattended.
Avoid empty beaches after dark, and wear a helmet on scooters and quads; the roads into the hills are steep.
Choose El Limón guides who treat their horses well. Do not drink the tap water; bottled and refill jugs are cheap everywhere. In an emergency, call 911.
Worth the trip
Whales, waterfalls and wild beaches.
El Limón waterfall
A 40-metre waterfall with a pool.
What's on
What is on while you are there
Whale season and holidays.
Mid-January to March
Whale season
Samaná Bay
Humpbacks come to breed.
March or April
Semana Santa
Las Terrenas
The busiest week on the beaches.
Hostels
Where to stay
The highest-rated hostels in Las Terrenas, live from Hostelworld. Prices and availability are live on each property page.
When to go
December to April is the dry season and the busiest time. Humpback whales are in Samaná Bay from mid-January to March. May to November is hotter and wetter, with hurricane season from June to November.
Jan
Whales arrive
Feb
Whales, Carnival
Mar
Whales
Apr
Semana Santa
May
Rain begins
Jun
Hurricane season opens
Jul
Hot
Aug
Hot, wetter
Sep
Peak hurricane risk
Oct
Wet
Nov
Rain easing
Dec
Dry season returns
Bar height is temperature. Colour is how busy it gets:
quiet
busy
peak
Average highs, rounded. Warm all year.
What your trip will cost
Per night, for one person, based on Las Terrenas prices.
Treat these as a guide. Trips cost extra.
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- Beds—
- Food and drink—
- Getting around—
- Doing things—
Las Terrenas questions
The ones we get asked most.
Las Terrenas or Samaná town?
Las Terrenas has the better beaches and food; Samaná town is closer to the whale boats.
How do I get to Las Terrenas?
By bus from Santo Domingo in 2.5 to 3 hours, or from El Catey airport in about 30 minutes.
Can I see whales from Las Terrenas?
Yes, on tours from Samaná town between mid-January and March.
How do I get to El Limón waterfall?
On foot or by horse from the village of El Limón, about 20 minutes from Las Terrenas.
What are the best beaches?
Playa Cosón, Playa Bonita and Punta Popy.
Do I need a scooter?
It helps for the beaches and the waterfall, but wear a helmet.
When is the best time to visit?
December to April, and mid-January to March for whales.
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