Las Terrenas is located in the northeastern part of Dominican Republic, on Samana Peninsula. This small town is known for its scenic views, beautiful sandy beaches, and clear water. In Las Terrenas many European expats have found their home. So don’t be surprised if every now and then you hear French or Italian language.

Las Terrenas is one of our favorite destinations. Despite the fact that the town is incredibly noisy and busy, we had a great time there. Exploring the city center, the surrounding beaches, as well as the coffee farm and El Limón waterfall.

A few days is enough to visit the most important places in Las Terrenas, but if you have more time, you certainly won’t be bored here.

#1 Las Terrenas city

The most important places in the town are actually located on its main street, where you’ll find stores, markets, a local bakery, restaurants and several interior design and clothing boutiques.

Half a day is definitely enough to walk around the local stores and buy souvenirs for loved ones. The town is an excellent base for trips to nearby beaches, or the El Limón waterfall.

#2 Food Trucks

Las Terrenas not only has numerous restaurants, but also food trucks with local cuisine. The place is open daily from 16 o’clock and offers 12 different food trucks with delicious food.

We definitely recommend Los Chamos with delicious Empanadas. El Captain with incredibly tasty fish burgers. And for dessert churros at Amora.

#3 Playa Las Terrenas

This is a beach located right in the center of the town. It is therefore very easily accessible, even on foot. The sand on this beach is yellow and soft and the water inviting.

On the beach itself there are several restaurants where delicious dishes are served and from which you can admire the setting sun. There is also a mini fishing market, where local fishermen are happy to sell their catch.

#4 Playa Punta Popy

This beach is located just one kilometer from the center of the town of Las Terrenas. A narrow promenade with small local restaurants leads to it.

It is an incredibly long and wide beach, with palm trees, yellow sand and clear water. At the beginning of the beach there is a place where you can rent beach chairs, buy a coconut or a drink from a local vendor.

However, the further away from the tourists, the more empty and local Punta Popy becomes. There you can easily find a place for yourself and for a while feel as if the beach was just for you.

#5 Playa Bonita

This beach is divided into two sections, on the right is the beach area, on the left there are bars and restaurants. It is an incredibly touristy place, full of hotels, bars and restaurants. Nevertheless, this beach is incredibly charming. Full of palm trees and places to rent sun loungers. But if you’re after a more local vibe, there’s a spot at the end of the beach where you can spread out your towel and enjoy the incredibly clear water.

Playa Bonita is our favorite beach, not only because of the clear water, soft sand, but also quite pleasant sunsets. In the evening this place turns into a land full of lights and music, where tourists love to relax with a glass of wine or a drink. This place also offers a rich gastronomic base, so it is worth reserving one evening for dinner in one of the restaurants.

The beach can be reached by local moto cab, which you can easily find on the main street in Las Terrenas. However, be sure to agree on the amount you’ll pay before you go. Also don’t forget to agree on a return time, as there is no local transportation to take you back to town. Keep in mind, however, that moto cabs do not offer helmets, getting on a motorcycle is your own responsibility.

#6 El Limón Waterfall

This is the most important waterfall in the area measuring 40 meters and enjoying great popularity. It can be reached in several ways, on your own with a rental car, by bus or with an organized tour. El Limón is located about 30 min away with a car from Las Terrenas, despite such a distance it is worth visiting this amazing place.

We bought an excursion from a local agent and the tour included not only a visit to the waterfall, but also a coffee farm where we had the opportunity to taste delicious cocoa, see how coffee beans, cocoa, as well as local fruits grow. Lunch at a small local restaurant with three tables and only one menu to choose from: rice and beans, salad and for meat eaters chicken.

The waterfall

Just getting to the viewpoint of the waterfall was not the easiest thing to do, and even though we had horses at our disposal, we preferred to cover the route on foot. Which involved crossing a muddy trail, as well as a river. So keep that in mind when selecting footwear. It took us about 45 minutes. At the lookout point there is a small pub with drinks. Getting to the waterfall from the viewpoint is also possible, and takes another 20 min.

The entire tour was done on an ATV and the ride itself was super fun, as our guide took us through the green fields of the surrounding villages, where the views were breathtaking.

Unfortunately, we can’t recommend you the company that organized our tour. Although we liked most of the attractions, definitely on the negative side deserves that we were taken to a place where the access to the waterfall is overcome on horseback. Even though at the time of booking we clearly said that we do not want to ride them.

Budget tip

We have paid for the day tour proud $160 (8800 pesos) for two people. If you organize it yourself, you can get away a lot cheaper. We would recommend to rent an ATV for about $50 and to travel to the El Limón waterfall by yourself. Getting there is pretty easy via the official trails and easy to find with maps. Keep in mind that with this route you will probably miss the plantations.

To get to Las Terennas, you will probably have to go through Santo Domingo. No matter if you arrive directly with the flight or already on the way with the bus. In most cases, you will not be able to avoid traveling via the capital.

If you take the bus, the company between Santo Domingo and Las Terrenas is called Asotrapusa and drives several times each day.

The most popular transportation around the city and its environs is to rent a scooter or ATV.
Rental prices start at $40 per day for a scooter and $50 for an ATV.

However, if you do not want or are not able to ride a scooter or ATV, another option is a moto cab, which is used by locals as well as tourists. Moto cab, however, does not offer helmets for passengers.

• Tropik Bowl | Best smoothie bowls
• Food Park | Delicious local and international food
• La Fragoneta | Tasty coffee and refreshments

We stayed in a very basic Airbnb in Las Terrenas , but located in a very strategic point of the city. So we were close to everything.

The best months to visit the Dominican Republic are between December and March, but this is also peak season, so prices will also be higher. In April and May, prices are slightly lower and the weather is still perfect. Rainy season starts from June.

The prices are per person, except for the accommodation, which we rent for 2 people.

Accommodation: $39 / night

Restaurant: $5 – $12 / meal

Snack: $1 – $2 / meal

Pleasure: $4 – $6 / event

Moto Cab: $2 – $4 / ride

Activity: $80 / event