We spent six months living in Las Terrenas on the Samaná Peninsula in the Dominican Republic and fell in love with it. The place really has it all; lively surf spots, incredible hiking trails, breathtaking reefs, stunning beaches, vibey beach bars, great food, and even better people. Here’s a list of our favorite things to do to help you make the most of your trip!
Visit the beaches
Las Terrenas is known for its beautiful soft-sand beaches. Whether you’re looking for a lively surf spot with miles of white sand dotted with beach bars (Playa Bonita), a chill, non-crowded vibe surrounded by palm trees (Playa Coson), or a hidden gem tucked away past lush mangroves (Playa Anclon), you’ll find it here.
Hike to El Limon waterfall
The El Limon waterfall, nestled in the mountains of Samana in the Dominican Republic, is spectacular. The hike takes you through towering tropical forests, and the waterfall has a stunning natural pool perfect for a refreshing swim after the hike. Travel tip: The trail from @paradalamanzana takes about 30 minutes each way, and we highly recommend booking a post-hike meal at their restaurant, which serves a traditional Dominican buffet. It’s the perfect way to end your adventure.
Go horseback riding on the beach
We love horses, so we are always careful when planning excursions involving them. Nicole at @ranhoplayalt rescues horses and is passionate about their well-being, so we recommend booking with her!
Explore La Ruta del Café
This excursion takes you through mountain roads lined with cocoa and coffee fields in the Samana Peninsula. This is a great way to learn more about Dominican culture and local rural life. Throughout the day, we stopped at local farms to talk to farmers who taught us about coffee production and let us taste some of their products. We booked all our excursions through @rdvacancesvip and couldn’t recommend them more!
Take a sunset catamaran cruise
Enjoy views of Las Terrenas from a catamaran during a sunset boat excursion. Book via @rdvacancesvip
Go Scuba Diving
Las Terrenas is a prime destination for divers who want to experience Caribbean reefs and wrecks. We did all our dives with The Dive Academy and even got an Open Water Diver qualification to dive in other parts of the world.
