ATM in Samana or Las Galeras

memphisj · #1 10-15-2007, 07:51 PM

Where is the best place to get money from U.S. bank account while in Samana? ATMs, bank? Are there any ATMs in Las Galeras or places to withdraw funds with a check card?

I tried to search, but spent a lot of time sifting through irrelevant posts, to no avail. All help is appreciated.
Thanks, J in Memphis

Rocky · #2 10-15-2007, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by memphisj

Where is the best place to get money from U.S. bank account while in Samana? ATMs, bank? Are there any ATMs in Las Galeras or places to withdraw funds with a check card?

I tried to search, but spent a lot of time sifting through irrelevant posts, to no avail. All help is appreciated.
Thanks, J in Memphis

I read on Lonely Planet's forum from a poster, that there was only one place in Las Galeras, at a bus depot, I think, but that's all I know.
They're not at every street corner, that's for sure.
The town of Samana and Las Terrenas will have a few each.

memphisj · #3 10-15-2007, 08:21 PM

Thanks Rocky, you are one of the most helpful people on this site. And quick too! We really don't want to carry a months worth of cash around. I heard it's a pretty quick trip to Samana from Las Galeras. Worse comes to worse, I guess we'll jump on a gua gua.

Rocky · #4 10-15-2007, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by memphisj

Thanks Rocky, you are one of the most helpful people on this site. And quick too! We really don't want to carry a months worth of cash around. I heard it's a pretty quick trip to Samaná from Las Galeras. Worse comes to worse, I guess we'll jump on a gua gua.

We have a guest staying here now, who knows the Las Galeras ATM info, so I'll ask her to post it here..
The return trip to Samaná by guagua might cost you 3 hours.

Rocky · #5 10-15-2007, 08:54 PM

OK.
Got it straight.
The one and only ATM in Las Galeras is in the Casa Marina hotel there, and it's said to be very unreliable, like no money in it, most of the time.
So it looks like you will be traveling to Samaná at times.

memphisj · #6 10-15-2007, 08:57 PM

Does your guest know if they will give you a cash advance on a Visa card at Casa Marina? I guess we could go to Samana once a week and check out the sites, maybe do some grocery shopping.

Rocky · #7 10-15-2007, 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by memphisj

Does your guest know if they will give you a cash advance on a Visa card at Casa Marina? I guess we could go to Samana once a week and check out the sites, maybe do some grocery shopping.

It's just an ATM in the hotel, not an actual bank, so unless your Visa card works in ATMs, then the answer would be "no".

gfractal1 · #8 10-16-2007, 12:44 AM

i've used the atm at casa marina the last two times i was in las galeras. we never had any problems with it being out of cash. we're always there in march/april though so it may be a seasonal thing. the atm is located in the casa marina resort but on the outside of the main building next to the guest shop.

speaking of groceries, i was really surprised at the variety of european foods at the bodegas in las galeras. there was stuff there ive never even heard of before.

Crystal · #9 10-16-2007, 03:27 PM

If you will be stopping in Samana for anything, very close to the bus depot for Samana-Las Galeras is Scotia Bank. They have an ATM. You can use Banco Popular as well, but it is about a 10-15 minute walk from the bus depot. Las Galeras is approximately a 45 minute gua-gua ride from Samana.

memphisj · #10 10-16-2007, 05:25 PM

As a matter of fact, we will be taking a bus into Samana, and then catching a ride to Las Galeras. It would probably be a good idea to stop at the bank before we head out. Thanks for the info all!