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Welcome to
La Rancheta - Hotel - Accommodation - Bungalows - Rooms - Horseback Riding - Las Galeras -Samana Peninsula - Dominican Republic

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Las
Galeras Information and Links
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| The position of the DR in the Caribbean |
The
position of Samana in the DR |
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The
Samana Peninsula and the position of Las Galeras. (It
really is the end of the road.)
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Getting
to La Rancheta
La
Rancheta is located 2.5 km's (20 minute walk) from the
crossroad in Las Galeras. Close enough to walk to the
village but far away from the disco and traffic noise.
Coming
from Samana town you take a right at the crossroads in
Las Galeras where the "Tourist
Services"
building is located. (if you miss the turn and end up on
the beach, turn around and take your first left)
After you pass the entrance to the all inclusive resort (Grand
Paradise) the pavement ends and La Rancheta is located just
a short distance down this dirt road on the right hand side
- there is a sign out front. If you come to a t junction,
you have come slightly too far.
You
can take a motor concho from the crossroads for about
30 peso's. If there is a language problem, just say Casa
Marine and they will take you in the right direction -
than you just have to point them a bit further along the
road. Most motor concho's will know where it is.
Ronald
and Karin do not pay a commission and some motor concho's
will try to take you where they do get a commission,
be persistent. La Rancheta is open year
round.
If
you have a problem go to the Tourist Service building and
call Karin on her cell phone or go to Coconut Roy's restaurant
on the crossroads and ask the staff how to get to Ronald and
Karin's.
You will be happy you made the effort. |
Table of Contents
| How
to get to the Samana Peninsula |
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| International
Flights to the DR:
See
Links below for some airlines that serve the DR out of Europe
and North America. The closest airport is Samana (El Catey).
Puerto Plata, Santiago, Santa Domingo and Punta Cana are also
possible airports to arrive at.
A
taxi to Las Galeras from any airport will cost between 60
to 200 US dollars, depending on how far away the airport is.
By
Car
From Santa Domingo - The Carretera De Samana opened in 2008. This two lane highway starts at km 15 of the Autopista de Las Americas (highway number 3, on the South Coast, East of Santo Domingo and West of Boca Chica) and ends in Samana Province. About 2 hrs. highway.
From
Puerto Plata – Follow the coastal highway (Route 5)
all the way to Samana. At Nagua ensure you stick to Route
5 and do not start heading for Santa Domingo! About 4 hours.
From
Santiago – The recommended route is to head south
on Route 1 for La Vega. South of La Vega head for San
Francisco de Macoris than take Route 132 heading
to Nagua. From Nagua take Route 5 for Sanchez and Samana.
About 4 hours.
Punta
Cana – driving from Punta Cana is not really practical
as you have to find your way pretty much from Santa Domingo.
There is no road direct from Punta Cana and the boat at Sabana
del la Mar does not carry cars. (only people and motorbikes). |
By
Public Transport
Check with www.LonelyPlanet.com or www.DR1.com for current
bus information, things change quickly in the DR.
From Sosua/Puerto Plata – stand in front of the police
station in Sosua at 6 am and get the private bus to Samana.
About 200 pesos, subject to change. You can do this trip with
gua gua (around 5 changes), a bit more expensive and less
convenient but possible.
From Santa Domingo and Santiago– check with Caribe Tours
for the schedule to Samana. From Santiago you can also try
Linea Santiaguera.
From Punta Cana – take gua gua (5 in total) from Bavaro
to Sabana de la Mar for the passenger boat across Samana Bay
to Samana town. About 5 hours.
Internal Flights
check current information at www. DR1.com or call Aerodomca,
the airlines that does the flights.
From Punta Cana and Puerto Plata – regular scheduled
flights arrive at El Portillo near Las Terrenas on the Samana
Peninsula. From there you can get a gua gua or private taxi
(recommended if after dark) to Las Galeras.
From Santa Domingo – regular flights land in Arroyo
Barril about a 1/2 hour drive from Samana town.
If
you are short on time, it can be an affordable option. |
| How
to get to Las Galeras |
Getting
Around |
Las
Galeras is on the eastern edge of the Samana Peninsula. Follow
the road from Samana town until you hit the beach….you
have reached the end of the road.
By far the most convenient airport to fly into is the Samana
or El Catey Airport opened in 2006. There are no hotels
or services near this airport and it is about an hour
drive from Samana town.
Arriving
at this airport you will have to take a taxi, rent a car,
or arrange for pick up. (Ron can sometimes pick up guests
if pre arranged.)
Since getting to Las Galeras can be an effort it is best to
plan to stay a minimum of three nights. As Karin says “
you can see nothing in one day and you can leave with the
wrong impression; it is a place to visit when you have time.”
From the Malecon in Samana town you can get a gua gua (local
public transportation that looks like a mini bus that has
fallen off a cliff) for about 2 US dollars. ( subject to increases).
You can also get a private taxi from Samana town, and the
cost will depend on your negotiation skills, but about 500
pesos would not be too unreasonable.
In Las Galeras private taxis gather at the all inclusive resort.
(called Grand Paradise now, but locally known as Casa Marina.)
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Rental
Vehicles – it is possible to rent a vehicle in the DR,
a jeep or four wheel drive is advised for the Samana Peninsula
if you intend to explore the area fully. It is possible to
rent a vehicle for a few days in Las Galeras. Driving in the
DR can be a bit of a challenge.
Buses
- Caribe Tours is the national bus line and has a fairly good
service from Santa Domingo to Samana.
Gua Gua – privately owned mini vans that go from town
to town throughout the DR. Generally very crowded and inexpensive.
A common way to get from Samana to Las Galeras
Motorconcho – motorcycle taxi. A common way to get around
Las Galeras if you do not feel like walking.
Private Taxi – You can arrange a private taxi from any
of the major entry points. ( Santa Domingo, Santiago, Puerto
Plata, Punta Cana, Samana Airport (El Catey)) It will cost
you in the region of 100 – 200 US dollars depending
on the distance from the airport to Las Galeras.
Note: if you are coming from Punta Cana you will be dropped
at the wharf in Sabana del la Mar where you will get a boat
to Samana town.
Ron
can sometimes arrange to pick up his guests at the airport
– please ask about this when you book your accommodation
to see if this is possible.
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| Money
Matters |
Health
Concerns |
There
is no bank in Las Galeras. The nearest bank is in Samana town,
about a one hour bus ride from Las Galeras. There you can
use your bank card at the ATM and get a cash advance on your
credit card.
It is possible to cash traveler’s cheques and exchange
money in Las Galeras.
Karin
and Ronald accept traveler’s cheques, euro, US
dollars, pesos. Like most places in Las Galeras, they do not
accept credit cards.
Euro is accepted in the DR but in some places the exchange
rate is less than it should be.
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In
general, if you take the normal, common sense precautions you
should be fine in Las Galeras. Be careful what you eat, drink
plenty of water, and avoid sunstroke.
Some government
website will give a warning about malaria, and tourist
have been known to get it further south in Punta Cana,
but not in Las Galeras. Malaria pills can have side effects
that make you feel poorly your entire vacation. It is wise
to cover exposed areas and wear a mosquito repellent.
There is a small
clinic in Las Galeras should the need arise for medical attention.
Cuts
and scrapes may happen in the normal course of events,
especially if you are traveling with children. It is advisable
to carry a small first aid kit. (salt pills, disinfectant,
band aids, anti itch cream and so on)
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| Communications |
Services |
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Las
Galeras has a Verison office where you can make phone calls
and use the internet if the computer is functioning. This
public office is located in Plaza Lusithania at the crossroads.
You can also make phone calls, use the internet and send
mail at the privately run Tourist Services
Building, also at the crossroads.
There
is currently no public WYFI in Las Galeras.
It may be possible to use your cell phone in the Las Galeras.
(Serviced by Orange only.)
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Laundry
-There is currently no public laundry facility available in
Las Galeras. There is one in Samana.
Hairdresser –
many people like to have their hair done in “Bo Derek”
style while in the DR, there are a couple of places in Las
Galeras where this is possible.
Petrol Station
– You are advised to fill your tank in Samana as there
is no station in Las Galeras.
Electricity– Las
Galeras is one of the few places in the DR with
a reliable electrical supply. The standard is 110 voltage. |
| What
to bring |
Shopping |
We
suggest the following;
Books
to read, reef shoes and snorkel gear, batteries needed
other than AAA and AA, any gear needed for digital cameras,
an alarm clock, flashlight, binoculars, small package
of hand wipes, suntan lotion, small first aid kit, comfortable
walking shoes, light weight long pants and long sleeved
shirt, light rain gear.
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There
are about four shops in Las Galeras selling a variety of items
that normally appeal to visitors, including places to purchase
the typical Dominican paintings.
There are three shops where basic food and supplies
can be purchased.
Las
Galeras has one pharmacy and a French Deli selling nice
wine, bread, cheese and sliced meats.
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| www.dr1.com |
Perhaps
the best site for local information on the DR, largely provided
by people who live in the DR. |
| www.lonelyplanet.com |
The
Thorn Tree on Lonely Planet is a useful source of information
and their DR guide book is good. |
| www.samana.net |
Multi
lingual information about Samana. Useful maps. |
| www.samana.org.do |
Center
for Conservation
and Eco-Development |
| www.whalesamana.com |
Whale
watching with Kim |
| www.airtransat.com |
Charter
flights from Canada |
| www.jetblue.com |
Flights
from east coast of USA |
| www.jetairfly.com |
Flights
from Belgium |
| www.charterflights.co.uk |
Charter
flights from the UK |
| www.samanaride.com |
Tour Samana by motorcycle |
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Phone 1.829.878.0637, Email: info@larancheta.com,
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