Las Galeras
Las Galeras, Dominican Republic, 23000
The historic fishing village of Las Galeras is stationed along the east coast of the Dominican Republic’s Samaná Peninsula. Travelers venture to this quiet town for its idyllic palm-lined beaches and easy access to Rincon Beach via the Las Galeras jetty. The village is close to Playa Fronton, another popular beach home to some of the Dominican Republic’s best snorkeling.
The basics
From Santo Domingo, visitors can travel to Las Galeras through guided day trips, including stops along the peninsula. Or you can join a thrilling ATV tour to explore the area. Folks flock to this coastline paradise to go snorkeling, diving, hiking, fishing, and sunbathing. Travelers also love to see Boca del Diablo (which means "Devil's Mouth"), located about 4 miles (7 kilometers) south of town. Cool ocean waters rush through this natural rock formation, gushing into the air and causing a serious sky-high splash.
Things to know before you go
If you rent a car, remember that navigating the roads from the Santo Domingo airport (Las Américas) to Las Galeras can be tricky. You will also need Dominican pesos to pay tolls.
Travelers recommend bringing cash instead of relying on credit cards.
Las Galeras is less touristy than other Dominican cities like Punta Cana.
How to get there
Public transportation to Las Galeras from Santo Domingo and Punta Cana is available via air-conditioned minibusses; locals refer to the bus from Santo Domingo as the Bluebird Express. Las Galeras itself is easy to navigate on foot, but motorcycle taxis are an inexpensive (and sometimes adventurous) way to explore the surrounding areas.
When to get there
Between mid-January and late March, humpback whales migrate to the waters of Samaná Bay, making this a popular time to visit the area. This is also peak season, so anticipate crowds. From June to October, there’s an increased chance of precipitation and hurricanes, so consider buying travel insurance if you’re planning to visit during this time.
Los Haitises National Park
Once used as a filming location for the movie Jurassic Park, Los Haitises National Park, located across the bay from Las Galeras, attracts visitors looking to witness the series of 98-foot-high (30-meter) rock formations that jut out of the water. Los Haitises, which translates to “hilly land” in the Taino language, is home to exotic birds, including the endangered Ridgway’s Hawk, the Hispaniolan piculet, the Hispaniolan woodpecker, pelicans, frigate birds, and herons.
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