Staying in Las Galeras

Was just there about 3 weeks ago. Although I did not stay overnight, a couple there was. They got the cabana room, with a open views overlooking the ocean. The cost was 30US a night. The bathrooms and showers are in a seperate building, which are very basic. I certainly would stay there on another visit, in a heartbeat. The views are amazing, and the owner, Leah, was very welcoming. They also having camping, and you can sleep over in just hammocks. The menu has a great selection of different foods, prepared fresh. It does take time, but the atmosphere, and drinking and talking with other guests makes it pass by without notice. Try a ceasar drink there, she makes the clamato juice from scratch..........yummy!!
Also ate at Chez Denise in Las Galaras......great Calzones, and the French Bakery......yummy fresh bread, which you can order one day and pick up the next.

Your best bet is to google these areas and read about hotels and reviews. There are many small hotels on the Samana Peninsula. I would check out lasterrenaslive.com. In the Las Terrenas area there are also many small hotels in Playa Bonita and Playa Coson which are about 10-15 minutes away. Las Galeras is isolated and at the very end of the peninsula. Are you going to have a vehicle? In Las Terrenas there is a large choice of restaurants, from French, Italian, German, Cuban and Dominican. If you can give us more details of what you are thinking it may make the job of recommendations easier.

LTSteve

Isolation/quietness may be what the OP is looking for....instead of a large choice of European restaurants in the DR

Try a ceasar drink there, she makes the clamato juice from scratch..........yummy!!

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I'll be sure to check that out. Thanks!

In LT, I like Mojito's........ on the beach towards the airport... north(ish), I guess

Just a beach place, but you almost get your feet wet - that close to the water

We dined at El Cabito twice while in LG. We enjoyed it IMMENSELY. It was more than a meal, it was an experience.
The accomodations appeared very basic from what I could tell. They seemed more geared toward a younger back packing type of crowd.
As a previous poster said, some of the accomodations are as basic as a hamick under a thatched roof.
The owner, Jon is a real character and will surely keep you entertained if you stay there.
At the very least I recomend you dine there. If you are the outdoors /adventurous type give the accomodations a shot.

Rumble2005 said:

We dined at El Cabito twice while in LG. We enjoyed it IMMENSELY. It was more than a meal, it was an experience.
The accomodations appeared very basic from what I could tell. They seemed more geared toward a younger back packing type of crowd.
As a previous poster said, some of the accomodations are as basic as a hamick under a thatched roof.
The owner, Jon is a real character and will surely keep you entertained if you stay there.
At the very least I recomend you dine there. If you are the outdoors /adventurous type give the accomodations a shot.

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Is Jon a tall thin American about 45 years old?

If my memory serves me well he is from either Belgium or Holland. Rumble's post is spot on.

Accomodation in Las Galleras

Hotel:
1. My favorite and I shouldn't tell it to not spoil the place: El sol azul. Only a few rooms in a beatiful garden with swimming pool and nice breakfast on 100m of beach and 'center'. Worth every cent to relax a few ays
2. Todo Blanco, more expensive, near beach (50m of Sol azul), nice colonial-style rooms.
3. The small 'cabanas' on the (only) crossroad in Las Galleras. Behind the building on left corner (at sea side), opposite Hotel Portugal. Cheapest option in center.
4. A nice option (but kcuh closer to Santa Barbara de Samana) seems also to be Las Ballenas Escondidas, but I never stayed there. Bus to Las Galleras (mentioned below) passes there.

For dinner:
1. Chez Denise, the steak with mustard sauce is delicious
2. Pizzas in the big pizzeria are good

The best caipirinhas on the island (personal opinion): In the small shack on left at entrance of the beach next to the food stands, open till sunset. They have also the real Pina Coladas.

Beach: Go to Playita (walking distance).

Transport: You can easily stay without own transport. From the bussation at Sta Barbara de Samana leaves every 15-20 mins a microbus (25p.) to Las Galleras. You can also catch it along Malecon. In Las Galleras it goes till beach (food stands)

If you have anyhow transport, visit also Boca del Diablo on the road to Las Galleras.

SKY said:

Is Jon a tall thin American about 45 years old?

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Jon is Swiss, however his english is perfect. He is certainly a people person and likes to partake in a few night caps with his guests. Great guy and great establishment. For anyone visiting LG El Cabito is a must IMO.

Just following up on others? posting: I was surprised how many small hotels there are in LG. We?ve stayed in La Isleta ( la isleta: logements sur les plages de las galeras a saint domingue ), and I can recommend it. But there are many other places around LG that appeared to me to be very good as well.

LG is for middle income level people, not for richer tourists as Las Terranas appears to be.

Actually I found LT to be cheaper than Las Galeras since LT's inventory is MUCH larger. There is a segment which caters to luxury tourism, but there are plenty of reasonable options in LT as well.

El Cabito Website

Only for completeness:
The owner of El Cabito mentioned in some of the previous posts, John, is Dutch (or at least the guy I met as being the owner ). But he speaks also fluent german (as does his german wife).
As you can see on the El Cabito Homepage they went to Europe and left management of the place over to another couple.