Getting to La Rancheta Guesthouse and La Hacienda Farm

La Rancheta Guesthouse 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. La Rancheta Hacienda is located a 10 minute walk past La Rancheta Guesthouse, up a hill on "La Loma".

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 Guesthouse is located 1 k down this dirt road on the right hand side - there is a sign out front. If you come to a T junction and take a right and go up a steep hill you will find La Hacienda ( about 600 bumpy meters from the top of the steep hill - look for the big yellow house).

You can take a motor concho from the crossroads for about 50 pesos. If there is a language problem, just say Grand Paradise 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 but will try to take you somewhere where they collect a commission, be persistent. La Rancheta and La Hacienda are open year round.

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.

A taxi to Las Galeras from any airport will cost between 60 to 350 US dollars, depending on how far away the airport is.

By Car

From Santo 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.  

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 is not really practical as you have to find your way pretty much from Santo 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 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 private 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 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. The Caribe Tour bus stops at the beginning of the new highway to Samana and this is where you want to catch the bus without going into the city-to save a couple of hours and taxi fare.

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 -opened in 2006. 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 arrange for pick up. (Karin 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 3 US dollars. 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.

In Las Galeras private taxis gather at the all inclusive resort. (called Grand Paradise now, but locally known as Casa Marina.)

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 Santo 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. ( Santo Domingo, Santiago, Puerto Plata, Punta Cana, Samana Airport (El Catey)) It will cost you in the region of 100 – 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.

Karin can sometimes arrange to pick up guests at the airport – please ask about this when you book your accommodation.

There is a bank now in 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 travelers cheques and exchange money in Las Galeras.

La Rancheta accepts travelers cheques, euro, US dollars, and pesos. Like most places in Las Galeras, they do not accept credit cards.

Some goverment 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.

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)

You can make phone calls, use the internet and send mail at the Tourist Services Building at the crossroads in Las Galeras.

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.

Private Clinic - As at 2010 there is now a private clinic in Las Galeras, if you need a Doctor. Located on the road to Samana, look for the big sign.

Laundry -There is currently no public laundry facility available in Las Galeras. There is one in Samana.

Massage - a Swiss woman called Maya gives massages in Las Galeras - on Jimmy Hendix Road.

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.

Las Galeras has a pharmacy.