playa rincon in 6 hours?

VinceD · #1 10-03-2007, 10:09 PM

Hi all. I'm taking a cruise in November that will stop at Samana for a day. After reading several threads about the options of what to do while there, I ran into a few that mentioned how picturesque playa rincon is. I looked up some pictures of it and I would say they were right! It looks near to perfect. Although cayo levantado looks nice too, I get the impression it will be packed with other tourists and that's a big turn off for us. Now for my question...finally.

We will arrive at 11 and probably get off by 12. Will I have enough time to catch a guagua (at the malecon?) to las galeras, take a boat to playa rincon, do some swimming and relaxing, grab some seafood or local food at the beach, take the boat back to LG, take a guagua back to Samana, and get back on the ship by 7 (leaves at 8)?

Does this plan seem possible or is it too much to fit into that short of time?
Appreciate any help you could offer.

Vince D

suarezn · #2 10-03-2007, 11:35 PM

Its' doable, but seems like a lot. You'll probably only get to spend about 2-3 hours in Playa Rincon. The tricky part is making sure you have arranged transportation back to Samana as (someone correct me if I'm wrong) buses run that regularly from Las Galeras to Samana.

Rocky · #3 10-04-2007, 07:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by suarezn

Its' doable, but seems like a lot. You'll probably only get to spend about 2-3 hours in Playa Rincon. The tricky part is making sure you have arranged transportation back to Samana as (someone correct me if I'm wrong) buses run that regularly from Las Galeras to Samana.

I'm with you on this one.
It's doable, but tight.
What happens if they miss the boat?
Swim out to it?

SKY · #4 10-04-2007, 08:41 AM

First off Playa Rincon is a must if you can do it, and you can if you follow my suggestion. There will be next to no one there, not a lot of people as you stated on your post, which adds to the beauty.

All you need to do is hire a local taxi to take you to the road going down to the beach. You don't need a boat to get there. If the taxi cannot negotiate the last 2 or 3km you can take a moto concho, there are plenty. Just make sure you make a time and place for the taxi to meet you and bring you to the boat. From the boat to the main road is only about 15-20 minutes, from the beach to the main road about 30 minutes. Leave yourself enough time.

Now some tips for the beach. Most tourists go to the right when they reach the beach. You will go left to the end. There you will find on your left a cold river, and on your right of course the beach. There are people cooking under large tents. Go to the last one. You will see a fat lady cooking. She cooks the best fresh fish in the DR. She has been there for 20 years. Sit down, pick out your fish and let her cook it. If you want Lobster just ask and she will find you some.

Enjoy....

A&J · #5 10-04-2007, 12:47 PM

SKY is 100% on the money in every aspect. We've spent many such great days at Rincon, driving ourselves from Las Galeras (with out a problem).

VinceD · #6 10-05-2007, 07:12 AM

The fat lady at the end of the beach? Those are some nice detailed instructions! We will definitely look for her. Even if we only get to spend a few hours at the beach, I think it's still worth it. Who knows when I'll get to go back and the next trip I take to DR will be to the south west near Barahona...but that's another adventure.

So I shouldn't take a boat from Las Galeras? I heard that the ride is very scenic around the coast and that they will come back for you at a set time?

SKY · #7 10-05-2007, 07:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VinceD

The fat lady at the end of the beach? Those are some nice detailed instructions! We will definitely look for her. Even if we only get to spend a few hours at the beach, I think it's still worth it. Who knows when I'll get to go back and the next trip I take to DR will be to the south west near Barahona...but that's another adventure.

So I shouldn't take a boat from Las Galeras? I heard that the ride is very scenic around the coast and that they will come back for you at a set time?

A boat coming to pick you up at a set time=recipe for missing your other boat. Most of these guys are on "Dominican Time". A taxi is more reliable, especially when he knows you will pay well for prompt service, a boat I would not trust for being on time unless he stayed there.

Andy B · #8 10-05-2007, 08:27 PM

To be honest, the ONLY way you are going to be able to do this with any certainty in getting back to the ship on time is to hire a private taxi to take you there, stay with you, and bring you back in time. You can do this where the cruise ship passengers disembark in Samana harbor. You can negotiate this with them as some speak English.

Right now the road from Samana to Las Galeras including the Rincon road is all torn up with the new aquaduct being installed. This is resulting in delays as traffic stops at some of the construction sites. I know, I went to Samana from Las Galeras and return today. A 30 minute trip by private taxi turned into a 45-50 minute run with delays. It probably won't be finished by November. Secondly, all the posters neglected to mention that the last guagua from Rincon village (1-1/2 miles from the beach) leaves Rincon around 5pm. The last guagua from Las Galeras leaves for Samana around 5:30pm. By public guagua, Samana to Rincon is well over an hour's time, about 1-1/2 hours at best.

SKY · #9 10-05-2007, 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andy B

To be honest, the ONLY way you are going to be able to do this with any certainty in getting back to the ship on time is to hire a private taxi to take you there, stay with you, and bring you back in time. You can do this where the cruise ship passengers disembark in Samana harbor. You can negotiate this with them as some speak English.

Right now the road from Samana to Las Galeras including the Rincon road is all torn up with the new aquaduct being installed. This is resulting in delays as traffic stops at some of the construction sites. I know, I went to Samana from Las Galeras and return today. A 30 minute trip by private taxi turned into a 45-50 minute run with delays. It probably won't be finished by November. Secondly, all the posters neglected to mention that the last guagua from Rincon village (1-1/2 miles from the beach) leaves Rincon around 5pm. The last guagua from Las Galeras leaves for Samana around 5:30pm. By public guagua, Samana to Rincon is well over an hour's time, about 1-1/2 hours at best.

Who said anything about a public gua gua? I said hire a taxi. It looks like we agree.....

VinceD · #10 10-05-2007, 10:24 PM

thanks for the tip about the construction. i speak spanish and my wife is dominican so we can negotiate something with the taxi driver. any idea what the cost would be for something like that? since i'd like to spend a few hours at the beach, that's a long time to make him wait.