Our Travel Tips

to discover Las Terrenas

Las Terrenas Palaya Bonita

The international press is talking about it—and it’s no coincidence. In a recent New York Times article, Las Terrenas is described as a true “land of plenty,” where endless beaches meet authentic charm and a uniquely relaxed lifestyle. To make the most of this exceptional destination, here are some practical tips to help you plan your stay.

Our tips

Traveling to the Dominican Republic

Entry and Stay Requirements

To enter and leave the Dominican Republic, you must complete immigration formalities 48 hours before departure via the official e-ticket website.

Currency in the Dominican Republic

The local currency is the Dominican peso (RD$), but US dollars and Euros are widely accepted, especially in higher-end hotels.Check the online currency converter for current rates.

Payment Cards

The main payment cards (MasterCard, Visa, and American Express) are accepted in most tourist establishments.While there may be small bank fees (a low percentage), many merchants apply a 5% surcharge to cover transaction costs.

Concierge Services

Private Driver

For over 20 years, we've worked with Monsito, our favorite taxi driver. He can pick you up at the airport and drive you straight to the property.

Private minivan rates are as follows: :

  • From Samaná Airport (AZS) to Playa Bonita: 80 USD (40-minute ride)
  • From Santo Domingo Airport (SDQ) to Playa Bonita: 180 USD (2-hour ride).
  • From Punta Cana Airport (PUJ) to Playa Bonita: 350 USD (5-hour ride).
  • Monsito can also take you shopping in Las Terrenas, depending on your arrival time and traffic. The round trip + waiting time costs 30 USD.

In-Villa Chef

Hire a private cook to prepare breakfast, lunch, or dinner for you.
Rates for her services:
  • Breakfast: 25 USD
  • Lunch: 35 USD
  • Dinner: 45 USD
Please note: Ingredients are not included and must be provided by you.

In-Home Massages

Enjoy a one-hour massage with Boba, our favorite masseuse. Our massages are designed to help you relax and recharge in the comfort of your villa.

Childcare & Babysitting

We can organize a nanny service to care for your children during your stay.

Getting Around and Enjoying Las Terrenas

Vehicle Rentals

Good to know: You can get around on a moto-concho (motorbike taxi), but Las Terrenas is also easy to explore on foot.

Outdoor Activities

  • Guided dives, diving lessons, snorkeling, boat excursions, boat rentals, snorkeling gear — all available The Dive Academy Las Terrenas.
  • Horseback riding Live the unforgettable experience of horseback riding on the beach with Rancho Playa.
  • Surf : ASurfing Learn to surf on the waves of Playa Bonita! Private or group lessons, surf and paddleboard rentals, kayaking — offered by Carolina Surf School or Pirata Surf School.

Restaurants, Bars & Shops

  • In Playa Bonita, just steps from our residences, you’ll find le restaurant de l’hôtel Atlantis. — relaxed vibes, sarongs, and sunscreen for long seaside lunches under the beach hut, with a fresh mahi-mahi ceviche…
  • Beluga Beach Club and El Cayuco de la Bonita offer a wide range of meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) and drinks all day long.
  • Bodega Bonita, is a small grocery store and charming garden café, about 15 minutes’ walk away. You’ll find a good selection of groceries and drinks there.
  • For shopping in downtown Las Terrenas (15–20 min by car), you’ll find various options:
    Sirena Supermarket, Supermercado Lindo, and Atlantic Supermarket (more local), plus many small shops.
    You can get there by taxi or moto-concho.

Komida: Home Delivery in Las Terrenas

Need a delicious meal delivered without leaving your place? The Komida app makes life easier in Las Terrenas. Available on Android and iOS, it lets you order from selected local restaurants and get food delivered straight to your door — by motorbike. Simple, fast, and local, it’s the perfect app for relaxed evenings or busy days.

Excursions in the Samaná Peninsula

Las Terrenas is an ideal base for exploring the Samaná Peninsula.
By car, you can reach the stunning Playa Rincón in Las Galeras. But sometimes, all you need is a scenic walk from Playa Bonita to Cosón, followed by lunch with your feet in the sand at Casa Cosón, to fully enjoy the region.

Mangrove

Los Haitises National Park

Located in the northeast of the Dominican Republic, Los Haitises National Park spans over 200 km² between the Bay of San Lorenzo and Samaná Bay.
Its name comes from the Taíno word for “mountainous region” — a nod to its dramatic limestone hills, shaped by ancient tectonic shifts.

Expect lush vegetation typical of a subtropical rainforest, mangroves, vines, and caves with ancient Taíno petroglyphs.

This is also a wildlife sanctuary: manatees, bats, boas, sea turtles, over 110 fish species, and countless birds — pelicans, parrots, moorhens — including endangered species.

Los Haitises is a natural, wild labyrinth full of life and history.

El Limón Waterfall

The village of El Limón, 10 km from Las Terrenas, is the starting point for this stunning hike.

The El Limón waterfall feels like an Indiana Jones adventure!
Reach it after a 50-minute horseback ride through tropical forest, crossing a river where locals bathe. At the top (360m), enjoy panoramic views of the jungle and ocean. The final 15 minutes are on foot downhill.

The 40-meter-high waterfall is breathtaking.
Swim in its crystal-clear water in the heart of the jungle. The boldest visitors stand under the falls for a natural water massage, where small caves hide behind the torrents.

Baleines Samana

Whales Watching in Samaná Bay

Every year between January and March, Samaná Bay becomes the stage for an unforgettable sight: the arrival of humpback whales. Drawn by the warm Caribbean waters, they come to mate or give birth. Calves are born without enough fat to withstand cold waters, making the bay the perfect place for their first days. These majestic mammals — up to 15 meters long and 40 tons — can sometimes be seen just meters away, breaching or performing courtship songs.

Let’s turn your stay into an unforgettable experience!