Las Galeras Travel Guide

Snorkling is not that great there. Not many fish, I saw an eel and little more, until one of the guys there recommended me to go to a specific spot, right by the limits. I rowed there and there were some concrete tubes that attracted many fish.
BEsides that, there is a closed area, you have to pay to go in, which I find ridiculous, since the sea is supposed to be public, not private property.
I went scuba dive with the diving club of the hotel, that was fun!

Le Tainos is a very special place in Las Galeras.
Situated in the Main Street under a thatch roof, the restaurant combines the traditional dominican architecture with a modern french design.
The fully stocked bar is impressing, offering what is probably the best selection of liquors of the Samana peninsula, and maybe the whole island.
The food is fantastic, and the presentation is exquisite, like in a 4stars restaurant.
Excellent music.
And all of this very reasonably priced.
Definitly the best deal in town

Favorite Dish: For an appetizer, the fish carpaccio with fresh coconut milk is a really fresh and flavourfull way of starting the meal.
Also the tapas are really creative, and the big enought to share.

As a main, the fish in banana leave has a very delicate flavour.
For the meat dishs, try the 3 peppers and aged rhum sauce, which is really fantastic.

For desserts, try the luscious homemade icecreams.

And don't forget and old rhum to round up your meal.

If you want to go from Las Galeras to i. e. Santa Barbara de Samana, use the local transportation: the Guaguas.

That is in most cases a pickup, sometimes a small bus

station: in Las Galeras direct on the end of the way to the beach

direction: Santa Barbara de Samana

no timeschedule- starting is mostly it the guaguas is full

best place: inside, direct beside the driver

if you sit outside and want the driver to stop, you must knock a the metal.

cheap: 50 pesos for the one way trip

The "private" taxis are totally out of cost (compared to local prices). Ex : if you take a private taxi (right out of the hotel) you will pay 20 $ to go to samana, while if you take a public "Gua-gua" at the beach of Las galeras (10mn walk) you should pay 50 pesos (=1 $) !!! Of course the gua-gua will stop very often to take/leave people, but it's fun, a great experience and a cool way to get to know a little bit more the locals. Some people told me that they happened to be 18 people in the van !!!

On the beach path you will be sollicited by the "moto-conchos" who will suggest to take you to other places on their bike or boat. Like always, all these prices should be negociated. I paid 350 pesos (7 $ to go and return to Playa rincon -40mn on a small bike).

If you go out of the hotel and get to meet the locals you will notice very quick that -unfortunately- the main part of your relationship will be based on money.

We, the tourists who can afford to go to such hotels are seen as a big wallet with dollars and 2 legs... so they will always try to sell you something... but always in a polite way.

Unique Suggestions: Stay cool and try to negociate !

Fun Alternatives: Try to organise your excursions yourself or organise a 4-6 people group. You will negociate prices much more easier.

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We went on a Quads ride. The ride in itself was fun and exciting. It is 4 hours long and takes you all the way to a beautiful public beach called Rincon. Doing this ride, we could see how locals live in that area, and also we saw Cacao trees and Coffee plants.
Playa Rincon was AMAZING! at the restaurant there ask for a Coco Loco (rum and coconut milk) or Pina Colada.
There is a natural river at the left end of Playa Rincon, it is fresh water and cold, veeery cold!