Getting to La Rancheta Guesthouse and La Hacienda Hostel

La Rancheta Guesthouse is located 2.5 km's from the crossroad in Las Galeras. Close enough to walk to the village but far away from the disco and traffic noise. La Hacienda is located a 10 minute walk past La Rancheta Guesthouse, up a steep hill on "La Loma".Villas Coloniales is located just before you get to La Rancheta and there is a clear sign (in the day time) on the fence.

For your own comfort and peace of mind we strongly recommend you check in before dark. Once you leave the main highway the side roads roads quickly turn into bumpy country lanes that are poorly lite. A view on Google Map will give you some idea just how undeveloped the area is.

There is one main crossroad in Las Galeras -just before you hit the beach. Take a right at this crossroads. 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 Guesthouse is located 1 k down this dirt road on the right hand side - there is a sign out front. To get to La Hacienda you go past La Rancheta to a T junction, take a right and go up a really steep hill. A further bumpy 600 meters from the top of steep hill you will see a big yellow house with the white roof and that is La Hacienda.

You can walk into Las Galeras from all three properties along the beach - a pleasant 30 minute walk.

You can take a motor concho from the crossroads in Las Galeras for about 50-100 pesos.

If you have a problem call Karin on her cell phone.

You will be happy you made the effort.

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, Santo Domingo and Punta Cana are also possible airports to arrive at.

Airport taxi fares are expensive in the DR but it is often the only practical way out of the airport.

To Las Galeras from any airport will cost between 70 to 350 US dollars, depending on how far away the airport is. From El Catey (Samana airport) a taxi to Las Galeras generally starts at US 70.

By Car

From Santo Domingo - The Carretera De Samana is a two lane highway starting at km 15 of the Autopista de Las Americas (not far from the Las Americas airport). This highway is east of Santo Domingo and west of Boca Chica. It takes 2.5 hrs to Samana. If you have to overnight but don't want to go into Santo Domingo, than Boca Chica is an option.  

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 Santo 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 a car from Punta Cana it is best to head to Santo Domingo and pick up the Carretera De Samana (see above). There is no road direct from Punta Cana to Samana as the boat at Sabana del la Mar does not carry cars. (only people and motorbikes).

By Public Transportation

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 public bus to Samana. About 300 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 Santo Domingo and Santiago– check with Caribe Tours (809 538 2229) or on their website for the schedule to Samana. From Santiago you can also try Linea Santiaguera.

Arriving by plane at Las Americas Airport in Santo Domingo it is not necessary to go into the city to catch the Caribe Tour bus. There is a Caribe Tour bus stop at the beginning of the new highway to Samana which is between Las Americans Airport and Santo Domingo. You can get a taxi from the airport to the bus stop without going into the city. (about USD 30 from the airport to the bus stop.) Check the Caribe Bus website for bus times to Samana.

From Punta Cana – take a series of gua guas from the airport or Bavaro to Sabana de la Mar in order to get the passenger boat across Samana Bay to Samana town. (About 5 hours from the airport to Sabana.) The last ferry from Sabana to Samana is at 5 pm and the last gua gua from Samana to Las Galeras is around sun down.

If you are relying on public transportation you should plan to arrive in Las Galeras before dark.

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 Santo 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.

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.

The closest airport to fly into is the Samana or El Catey Airport. There are no hotels or services near this airport and it is about an hour drive to Samana town.

Arriving at this airport you will have to take a taxi, rent a car, or pre arrange a pick up.

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 3 US dollars (100 peso - have the correct change). The gua gua stops at sunset.

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 unreasonable - and expect up to 3000 pesos at night.

We do not recommend getting a motor concho or rickshaw from Samana to Las Galeras. It is not comfortable and in most cases not the cheapest possibility. Take the gua gua or a taxi, depending on your budget.

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 and it is best not to be on the roads after dark.

Buses - Caribe Tours is the national bus line and has a fairly good service from Santo Domingo to Samana. Dress warm as they blast the air con.

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. ( Santo Domingo, Santiago, Puerto Plata, Punta Cana, Samana Airport (El Catey)) It will cost you in the region of 70 – 350 US dollars depending on the distance from the airport to Las Galeras.

Note: if you are coming from Punta Cana by taxi you will be dropped at the wharf in Sabana del la Mar where you will get a boat to Samana town.

We accept euro, US dollars, and pesos. Like most places in Las Galeras, we do not accept credit cards.

There is a bank in Las Galeras with an ATM. The daily withdrawal limit is 4000 pesos for the ATM. With your passport and bank card you can go into the bank and withdraw what you like.

It is possible to exchange money in Las Galeras.

If a bank has experienced ATM fraud and you use that ATM it is possible your bank card might be put on hold until your bank can contact you. It is best not to rely totally on ATM withdrawals while in the DR.

Some government websites 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.

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)

There have been no reported cases of cholera in Samana.

WIFI is available in some locations - check in advance.

It may be possible to use your cell phone in the Las Galeras, coverage can be patchy.

It is possible to buy a cellphone for as low as 300 pesos- which can be handy as public phones are scarce as hens teeth.

In general you should not expect communication systems to be as simple, fast, reliable or user friendly as you may be used to.

Private Clinic - If you need a Doctor, there is a private clinic on Calle Principle in Las Galeras.

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 gas station (as you know it) 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.

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 (because it can get as dark as the inside of a cow) , 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.

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. The french bakery produces fresh bread and there is an Italian deli.

Las Galeras has a pharmacy.