Stay Las Terranes, Las Galeras or Both

Stateside · #1 01-27-2008, 06:03 PM

My fiance and I will be visiting the DR for the first time next month, and during our visit will spend a few days in the Samana peninsula: Arrive early evening Day 1, and leave late afternoon Day 4.

Would like your thoughts on our itinerary (which is best, most condusive to trip) and where to stay (considering Hotel Alisei in Las Terranes, and La Rancheta in Las Galeras):

Option 1: (Make Las Terranes (Hotel Alisei) our 'home base' for the entire trip)
Day 1: Stay in Las Terranes
Day 2: Go to Samana (morning whale tour) / stay in Las Terranes
Day 3: Go to Playa Ricon / return to Las Terranes
Day 4: Go to El Limon (waterfall), flight leaving LT early afternoon

Option 2: (Stay mixture of nights between Las Galeras and Las Terranes)
Day 1: Stay Las Galeras (or Las Terranes)
Day 2: Playa Ricon, Stay Las Galeras (or Las Terranes)
Day 3: Go to Samana (morning whale tour), Stay Las Terranes
Day 4: Go to El Limon (waterfall), flight leaving LT early afternoon

Thanks!

fightfish · #2 01-28-2008, 01:42 AM

I think you are better off staying Lg for your entire trip.. LG has plenty of low key beaches, is close to Rincon and Samana. The trip from Las Galeras to Las Terenas is an hour and a half if not more. Less road time means more beach time, less hassles and more fun and relaxation. A day spent at Rincon is incredible. The Limon waterfalls are between Lt and Samana, granted, but beachwise LG is superior.

thurston · #3 01-28-2008, 03:02 AM

Hi Stateside,
What a great itinerary both are verry good, but i think Las Terrenas is the one for you.
Hotel Alisei is a fine place for a base great food, LT has more night life shopping ect, yes
Rincon is one hell of a beach, but so is Bonita. WIN-WIN situation... Happy Days.

Hillbilly · #4 01-28-2008, 05:07 AM

I have to cast my vote with Option 2: Las Galeras.
Las Terrenas is fine if you stay there. It is not a center for touring the peninsula. Is it worth visiting? By all means, spend a night there.
The advantage of Las Galeras is that it is a small and fairly quiet community, but close to Samaná and Playa Rincón...and You can tour the falls a El Limón from there as well as from anywhere.

Do yourself a favor and make Option 2 your plan for those great days.

HB

Thegirlnextdoor · #5 01-28-2008, 05:13 AM

I agree that goin from Las Galeras to Las Terrenas is a pretty long drive, I wouldnt go back and forth if I were you. I always stay in Las Galeras, but from what I saw of Las Terrenas there definately seems to be allot more going on. But yea as above, Playa Rincon is gorgeous and Samana is nice and close to Las Galeras. You'll enjoy it either way :-)

bmadison · #6 01-28-2008, 12:10 PM

Agree that going between towns is difficult. We stayed 4 days in Terrenas and 5 days in Galeras. The food and drink options are better in Las Terrenas but I preferred Las Galeras by far. You are very close to Playa Rincon and Fronton. There's less motoconcho noise, fumes, and other chaos. In general, the pace is much more relaxing in Las Galeras. Our philosophy was "go to New Orleans or Vegas for gourmet dining and partying, go to the DR for beaches and outdoor adventures."

Stateside · #7 01-29-2008, 08:46 PM

I appreciate everyone's input! If lodging in Las Galeras, any recommendations? I like the idea of relaxing, but don't want to find ourselves going crazy after the sun goes down with nothing to do but count ceiling tiles

Looking for more than just a place with a bed: patio to have a nightcap, evening dip in a hottub, something. (BTW: Villa Serena is out of our price range.)
Thanks!

fightfish · #8 01-29-2008, 10:26 PM

Check out John at Ruby Chris. They have several bungalows behind their grill restaurant that are very reasonable 35US. I dont have the number, sorry. They are listed in that book ´lost world traveler´´(not the right name either. But nice little bungalows, a block from the beach. Also Andy has a nice place right on the beach, but cant spell the name. I guess Im like a local dog, know the places by sight and smell, but cant read the streetsigns!

samanasuenos · #9 01-29-2008, 10:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fightfish

I think you are better off staying Lg for your entire trip.. LG has plenty of low key beaches, is close to Rincon and Samana. The trip from Las Galeras to Las Terenas is an hour and a half if not more. Less road time means more beach time, less hassles and more fun and relaxation. A day spent at Rincon is incredible. The Limon waterfalls are between Lt and Samana, granted, but beachwise LG is superior.

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My sentiments exactly. The only way I would pick LT over LG would be if you have a 5 star chef with you - he will be happy in LT. LG food is good, not bad, and sometimes damn great, but LT - due to the French influence, has a larger number of fancy food places to eat.

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Though I am a foodie and prefer the food in LT, I stay in LG. That's how much nicer it is.

Also, in LT, a long term visitor might notice how the locals and the euros are segregated more so than in Samana city and LG. I don't like that.

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So, stay in LG.

Have fun, sammy

Stateside · #10 01-29-2008, 11:13 PM

Definitely a lot of votes for Las Galeras!

Any additional endorsements for lodging recommendations made so far, or other suggestions?

(Note that we're some of the two biggest foodies you'd ever meet-- but of local cuisine that defines the people and the area we visit. So we'll pick to eat at a local dive over a 5-star restaurent everytime if that's where you'll find the best food!