Welcome to Travel Guru
Are you ready to feel like a local?
After living in the Dominican Republic for years and explored and discovered many different places, here we share our authentic, personal and local recommendations with you.
Enjoy and make the best of it 🫶🏾
Beaches around Las Terrenas
Playa Ballenas
Our house beach, right at your doorstep, invites you every day for swimming and snorkeling with a lively underwater world, and every evening for spectacular sunsets
Playa Bonita
Just 1 km as the crow flies from our villa, the best surf spot in Las Terrenas, and definitely worth its name :)
Playa Coson
If you're seeking a beach nearby that's pure nature, then head to Playa Coson. Here, you can be undisturbed and enjoy the forces of the ocean amidst lush nature. The entire 4 km long beach has two rivers flowing into the sea where you can take a refreshing dip, and a restaurant in the middle of Playa Coson invites you
Playa Punta Popy
Located directly in Las Terrenas, about a 20-minute walk from our villa, stroll along the entire beach, and you'll reach the tip of Punta Popy, which is fully covered with coconut palms. :)
Playa Ricon
Playa Rincon is one of the beautiful beaches in the world, approximately a 1.5-hour drive from Las Terrenas. Ideal for a day trip. :
top Restaurants around
Restaurant plaza Delfin- Italian Seafood. 50m from our Villa
Zu Ceviche and Grill by Alex - Local Seafood on the beach. 700m from our Villa
Restaurant plaza Delfin- Italian Seafood. 50m from our Villa
The owner was the Chef Cook at the Hilton Hotel London for many years and also lived in Tuscany for many years, so they offer amazing homemade pasta and local seafood, all prepared by the owner himself :) https://maps.app.goo.gl/cTXKTrmHFms1yChW7?g_st=ic
Empanadas y más - best Ceviche in town. 50m from our Villa:
Zu Ceviche and Grill by Alex - Local Seafood on the beach. 700m from our Villa
Restaurant plaza Delfin- Italian Seafood. 50m from our Villa
Operated by a lovely family from Argentina. Ranked #2 on TripAdvisor in Las Terrenas. They offer amazing ceviche and, of course, excellent empanadas :)
Zu Ceviche and Grill by Alex - Local Seafood on the beach. 700m from our Villa
Zu Ceviche and Grill by Alex - Local Seafood on the beach. 700m from our Villa
Zu Ceviche and Grill by Alex - Local Seafood on the beach. 700m from our Villa
They offer amazing seafood and a nice atmosphere, sometimes with live music in the evening:
[Link to location](https://maps.app.goo.gl/sJitawM7nHcQPNY56?g_st=ic)
Spice&Soul - Vegan Soulfood Kitchen. 2km form our Villa
Zu Ceviche and Grill by Alex - Local Seafood on the beach. 700m from our Villa
Zu Ceviche and Grill by Alex - Local Seafood on the beach. 700m from our Villa
The best vegan restaurant in town, with a peaceful and romantic atmosphere.
activities in Las Terenas
take a Bachata Class.
take a Yoga Class at the beach.
take a Yoga Class at the beach.
Every Tuesday and Thursday at 7:00 PM, you can come to the best dance school in the city for dance lessons. I personally enjoy coming here to improve my Bachata skills. Open to all levels.
take a Yoga Class at the beach.
take a Yoga Class at the beach.
take a Yoga Class at the beach.
Ondi offers Sunset Yoga every Wednesday at 5:30 PM at Playa Bonita, and on Monday and Wednesday in the Town Center at a Yoga Studio starting at 6:00 PM and 6:15 PM respectively. If you want to join, please contact her on WhatsApp to register.
Kite Surfing Class.
take a Yoga Class at the beach.
Kite Surfing Class.
Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned pro, if you want to book an hour or just need supervision and equipment, you're in the right place here in Las Terrenas. Contact Lukasz, who has over 10 years of kite instruction experience.
https://kitemecca.com/en/home/
Whatsapp: +1 (829) 651‑5532
The Kitesurfing Spot: https://maps.app.goo.gl/9J4gYuX6UrmcokJA7
Surfing Class
take a Yoga Class at the beach.
Kite Surfing Class.
If you want to catch a wave, head to Playa Bonita. Here, you have two surf schools to choose from. The most renowned and largest one is the Carlona Surf School at the Boutique Beach Hotel Mosquito.
Bachata Fiesta in Babylon Disco.
International Music in Beach Club Etno.
International Music in Beach Club Etno.
Dance Bachata at the legendary Disco Babylon in Las Terrenas or watch the best Bachata dancers in the world while partying and enjoy a Mojito alongside.
International Music in Beach Club Etno.
International Music in Beach Club Etno.
International Music in Beach Club Etno.
If you prefer to party to international music, ETNO will be the right place for you, where the party goes on 7 days a week. But beware, Wednesday is an exception here, and local music like Bachata, Salsa, and Merengue is played.
Haman Kef Spa, Sauna & Massage
International Music in Beach Club Etno.
Haman Kef Spa, Sauna & Massage
I recommend trying the classic hammam package, which includes a steam sauna, exfoliation with honey, organic cocoa, and a massage :)
Ondi Massage.
International Music in Beach Club Etno.
Haman Kef Spa, Sauna & Massage
If you're looking for the best massage in town, you should go to this address. Make an appointment beforehand :)
Special Recommendation
El Valle, Samana
Leisys Garden in El Valle, Samana
Leisys Garden in El Valle, Samana
If you want to dive even deeper into the jungle after your stay in Las Terrenas, we wholeheartedly recommend a visit to El Valle. It's a vibrant community with numerous diverse sustainable projects, leading the way in the Dominican Republic with eco-villages and permaculture initiatives
Leisys Garden in El Valle, Samana
Leisys Garden in El Valle, Samana
Leisys Garden in El Valle, Samana
My personal favorite project on-site is called Leisys Garden, led by its founder, Leisys. She is an influencer, fitness coach, nutrition consultant, and runs her own farm-to-table concept with accommodation options. For more information: El Valle, Samana.
National Parks and Excursions
Waterfall EL Limon
The classic adventure for all travelers drawn to Samana. Just 30 minutes from our house lies the grand Limon Waterfall, towering over 45 meters in height, with two more majestic waterfalls in the immediate vicinity. You can follow the river on a leisurely 1-1.5 hour stroll to reach El Limon Waterfall. If you have small children or mobility issues, you can also take a horse, although I only recommend this if you're not in good enough health to walk yourself. Don't forget your swimwear because once you arrive, you can refresh yourself in the cool waters after the hike :)
Pro Tip: There's also a lookout point where you can admire the waterfall from above instead of from below.
Distance from our Villa: 30 minutes drive + 75min walk
Duration: Half-day trip
Difficulty: 5 out of 10
Waterfall Limon- how to get there ?
As soon as you leave the village of El Limon heading towards Samana, after a few kilometers, you'll start to see signs like the one on the right in the photo. Whenever such a sign appears, it indicates the beginning of a hiking trail nearby. I've linked my favorite starting point on Google Maps for you below, where I typically start my approximately 1 hour and 15-minute hike. You can also park for free there. P.S. The shortest path in the middle is also the most visited, where many people trample. Therefore, I prefer all others except the shortest one ;)
Whale Watching
The second classic for all visitors coming to Las Terrenas is, of course, whale watching. From late December to late March each year, thousands of humpback whales come to the bay of Samana to give birth to their calves. You can either book a tour from Las Terrenas or take your scooter, quad, or bus to Samana (about a 1-hour drive) and then negotiate directly with the fishermen and boat captains at the harbor.
Distance from our Villa: 60 minutes drive
Duration: full-day trip
Difficulty: 3out of 10
Whale Watching - How to get on a boat ?
A private boat usually costs no more than $200, and a tour on a large boat often costs $60-100 per person. The experience with the whales is much more intense in a small boat rather than with over 50 other tourists on board, all trying to take photos at the same time. Therefore, if you can manage to group up with other tourists on-site and rent a small boat for 4 or 6 people, that's definitely what I would recommend.
When you go by yourself to Samana, go to the spot I linked with the button below and start talking to the fishermen and boat captains to find the right boat and guide for you, where the energy resonates with you.
Ps. If you book a tour, the boat normalny stops in the Cayo Levantado for Lunch.
Los Haitises National Park
If you want to explore the vast Los Haitises National Park and get closer to the island's indigenous people, the Tainos, here's your chance to discover ancient cave paintings and incredibly spectacular limestone caves on small islands. The starting point is the same as for whale watching in Samana, or alternatively, you can also start from Sanchez by boat.
Distance from our Villa: 60 minutes drive
Duration: full-day trip
Difficulty: 4out of 10
Los Haitises National Park- how to get there ?
If you decide to start in Samana (then the boat ride is a bit longer, but you can be sure to always find boat guides on-site who will take you, in Sanchez, you may come across an empty dock outside of the main season), I have linked below with the button where you can park and find a boat. Alternatively, you can of course also book a tour in Las Terrenas :)
Cabo Samana, National Park
A true hidden gem and, for me, the most beautiful and unique landscape in all of Samana :)
Distance from our Villa: 80 minutes drive
Duration: full-day trip
Difficulty: 6out of 10
Cabo Samana, National Park - How to get there
Coming soon: You'll see on the right of the photo the so-called 'Devil's Throat,' which spouts water up to 20 meters high from the ground.
Ecotopia, Botanic Garden & Hills for Hiking
A botanical garden that was cultivated over 30 years ago on a pasture of approximately 30 hectares, which has since become a lush jungle. The founder was a professional at the University in Santo Domingo for many years and has been a lifelong nature researcher, heavily involved in state botanical gardens in Santo Domingo. On-site, you can wander through the garden or opt for a guided tour to learn more about how vanilla, cocoa, and many other tropical fruits grow. You can also take a dip in the natural pool or hike to the observation platform and enjoy a view over all of Samana and its surroundings.
Distance from our Villa: 10 minutes drive
Duration: 2-3h trip
Difficulty: 3out of 10
Ekotopia Park - How to get there
Here, I've directly linked the address of Ecotopia on Google Maps :)
Samana Bridge
The bridge, built in the 16th century by the French colonial rulers, stretches over 1 kilometer and connects a total of 3 small islands, making it a special walk and an experience definitely worth it for me :)
Distance from our Villa: 60minutes drive
Duration: half day trip
Difficulty: 4 out of 10
Samana Bridge - How to get there
Hier wieder die Verlinkung damit du weiß wie du dort hin kommst :)
Monkey Park with Zippline
If you have children and want to give them and yourself a special experience, you can visit the Monkey Park and Zip Line Park. You can either do both attractions or just one. You can book your experience online in advance or simply go there on-site (that's what I did), although I was told the park would be closed on weekends, it was open and I was able to book everything on-site :)
Distance from our Villa: 45 minutes drive
Duration: 2-3h trip
Difficulty: 1 out of 10
Here is the link where to park so you can open the location directly on Google Maps :)
Rent a ATV or ATV Tour
in order to be mobile and explore all the destinations yourself or even just travel around the island, renting an ATV is a good option for exploring Samana. Here's a link to one of the many ATV and scooter rental companies. Here we rent our ATVs mostly by ourselves. Emmanuel, the founder of the rental company, also offers tours to various destinations :)