Dominican Republic's Undiscovered Beach Town: Las Galeras
If you want to get away from the busy resort destinations in the Dominican Republic to find glorious, uncrowded beaches and serenity, but still want a decent place to stay and good restaurants, take a trip to the tiny beach town of Las Galeras. This little jewel is still undiscovered by mass tourism but developed enough to be thoroughly enjoyed by those who venture over to this corner of the island.
Apart from the beaches, the best part of Las Galeras is that it is small enough to get almost everywhere on foot, and you will want to explore beyond the main beach that fronts the town to get the most from your visit.
This is not the place to come if you are looking for jet skis, sunset tourist cruises, and clubs. It's a tranquil town with calm turquoise water and soft sand beaches surrounded by stunning natural beauty in every direction.
The Beaches
Located at the end of the Samana Peninsula, Highway 5 dead ends at the beautiful beach stretching along the front of Las Galeras. Although this is a shockingly gorgeous scene, it is not the best place for swimming. This is where you can hire a boat to take you to some of the nearby beaches, join a game of bocce ball, maybe go for a dip, or sit in tranquil meditation as you stare out to sea.
La Playita, about a 10-minute walk east of this main beach, is where you'll want to spend a day hanging out on a lounger and playing in the ocean. A few small restaurants cater to beachgoers here, and you can rent a chair for the day or afternoon. This incredible expanse of soft sand looks out to national park land that rises across the bay.
If you want to go for a short drive or hire one of the boats from town, beyond La Playita is Playa Rincon, frequently referenced as one of the best beaches in the Dominican Republic. But honestly, it's much the same as La Playita.
A French Flair
Although the town is very Dominican, many of the expats and tourists who frequent the area are French, and you'll see hints of this around town. Behind the main beach, bocce ball courts are set in the shade of overhanging palms. Locals and foreigners join in the games.
From here, you can stroll into town, where some restaurants, particularly those run by French chefs, serve fine French fare. Some favorites are El Langostino de Oro, where you'll find excellent food and a bit of an eclectic ambience, and La Bodeguita, serving small dishes for lunch and dinner (open seasonally).
Las Galeras has a lot of stray dogs and cats. They are friendly and not a problem for tourists, but they do wander the streets and in and out of their chosen restaurants, and it's tolerated by the local establishments.
How to Get to Las Galeras
The nearest airport is Samana El Catey International Airport, which is about a 1.5-hour drive from Las Galeras. The town is also about a 45-minute drive from the city of Samana, a popular place for whale watching tours. You can easily combine a trip to Samana for a day of whale-watching with a couple of nights in Las Galeras if you are looking for a short getaway.
Accommodation Options
Las Galeras has one all-inclusive resort, a few small beachfront hotels and boutique resorts, some moderately priced small hotels just back from the ocean, and Airbnb rentals. Almost all hotels and resorts have pools and are walkable to restaurants.
NOTE: Many restaurants and even some of the hotels only accept cash.
