Jeff And Julie's Guidebook

More than ever Las Terrenas and the Samana peninsula stand out and are confirmed as one of the most attractive destinations in the Dominican Republic. Naturally restricted by limited hotel and rental capacity, the destination escapes to mass tourism and the visit of its beautiful and inescapable tourist places remains very privileged. Walking along beaches of several kilometres makes perfect sense! The discreet peninsula of lush nature offers its visitors a priceless luxury, a true piece of paradise with magnificent and often unspoiled beaches and humpback whales in winter.

The most visited and developed section of Samana, Las Terrenas is the perfect blend of a dreamy beach village and a cosmopolitan town. It’s waterfront boasts multiple stunning beaches, as well as a variety of small hotels, international bistros, apparel and arts and crafts boutiques, local restaurants and lively bars. While the white sand beaches located right in town are good for a swim, the surrounding Playa Bonita and Playa Coson will take your breath away, perhaps as much as the delicious seafood caught fresh and served on site. Nights come alive in Las Terrenas with dancing and bars

Great App to add to your phone so that you can order for home delivery! You can order from a variety of Restaurants, Supermarkets, Liquor, Flowers, Desserts, Pharmacy and Services

On very old maps, the Samana peninsula is sometimes shown as an island. There was once a channel here that reached all the way up to the north coast from Samana Bay (Bahia de Samana), creating a marshy waterway across the neck of the peninsula. Pirates used this channel as an escape route from the Spanish. Hundreds of years later, this marshy area is now fertile land near the town of Sanchez. Yet even today, Samana still seems cut off from the rest of the Dominican Republic. Its culture is a unique blend of various ethnic groups. The Taino, Ciguayos and other natives were the first occupants.

Rental cars are available at the airport as well around your resort. However, please proceed with caution if you do decide to rent a car in Samana. Driving conditions here are unlike North America. The roads are narrow and rough, especially around the peninsula, and not lit. Driving at night time is not recommended due to poor visibility. Overall, the best way to travel throughout Samana and surrounding areas is by taxi. The drivers here know the area extremely well and will help you get to and from destinations with ease.

The official currency of the Dominican Republic is the Dominican Peso. Most hotels, restaurants and businesses accept major credit cards. If you would prefer to have cash on hand, both Canadian and U.S. money can be exchanged for the peso during your stay at both banks and exchange booths (called casas de cambio). Most hotels and resorts also offer currency exchange services. If you need to withdraw funds, you’ll find bank machines at many resorts and popular shopping areas. Please note that local ATMs only dispense funds in pesos and fees vary by machine.

Electricity in the Dominican Republic is 110 volts, and can fit most (two-pronged) North American plugs. However, some hotels may operate using Swiss outlets - which are round pins instead of flat pins. If you are bringing an electrical appliance, it is recommended that you verify prior to departure if a converter and/or adaptor is required.

Be sure your routine vaccinations are up to date. Hepatitis A, hepatitis B, malaria, typhoid and tetanus are commonly recommended by the Public Health Agency of Canada. Check with your local healthcare provider for additional information.

Baseball is the Dominican Republic’s favorite sport. For Dominicans, “pelota”–as we call it here–is more than a sport. It’s a limitless passion, a love for country and unity. For the young generation, baseball also symbolizes a dream and hope for a better future–with the possibility of becoming one of the world’s legendary Dominican baseball players. After all, it worked for Sammy Sosa, Pedro Martínez, David Ortiz, Robinson Canó, José Reyes, Juan Marichal and Bartolo Colón, among numerous others. Aside from tracking their favorite players during the Major League Baseball (MLB) games, each Dom

Dominicans are renowned for their dancing talents–you will spot them spontaneously twirling at the park, on their house veranda, or pretty much anywhere they hear their music. The DR’s sounds and instruments are influenced by West African, Spanish, and European roots. Two principal genres dominate and are synonymous with the Dominican Republic, here and around the world: merengue, and bachata. But there’s also son and a multitude of folkloric dance and music. Wherever you end up in the Dominican Republic, experiencing our music and our rhythms is as easy as stepping outside.

Dominican Carnival–carnaval dominicano–is the most vibrant celebration of Dominican culture and identity. It’s a time when Dominicans of all ages and from all regions take to the streets, at home or in neighboring carnival cities, to enjoy parades with their families and loved ones. Every Sunday during the month of February, colorful parades take place in every major city and region around the DR–some extending through the first week of March. La Vega Carnival is the oldest, largest, and most popular of all, followed by Santiago.