A weekend in Samana

I recommend the waterfall at Limon, it's a short drive from Samana city and Las Terrenas and you get a horse to take you down to the falls, jump in and enjoy the cold water and swim and go right beneath the falls where water comes down with such a force, a lot of fun - be careful of a few rocks at the bottom, so go in slowly actually, don't jump !

Haggle hard with the horse guides and afterwards give them a good tip, that makes them happy. You can walk too, but I thought the horse riding bit was actually part of the fun. Takes about 30 minute each way, give or take...

Not sure about other places but beaches at Las Terrenas are really nice, I recommend Coson a bit further away. I am planning a trip to Playa Rincon soon, I heard nice things about - never been to Las Galeras.

Again in LT there is some night life and you can get a drink in a nice/lively set up and even dance if you like, everyone knows where the so called disco is - it is really a bar with no entry and reasonable prices. There is also a small casino (part of a hotel I can't remember the name) if you fancy a blackjack and some machines, I have played BJ there a couple of times (never play for too much or you may loose your shirt in a small joint like that).

And of course LT has many restaurants and places to eat.

Agree with Uzin except, there are discos: Gaia (multilevel), la bodega, high level (dominican crowd, gets packed) and 2 others (name escape me). Thse places are good Friday to Sunday.
And, of course, there are bars with music, but people dance.

Take a water taxi to Cayo Laventado which is a mall island with Hotel about a mile offshore from Samana city

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FGUyE68plMw

just being near the water w/all the people out at night was wonderful. ships in the harbor etc.. if you want a boat ride and walk around an island why not i did it... but we kept coming back to the malecon taxis all around sight seeing ones... still kind of a nice peaceful family place...low key

Let's not forget about the cuisine. Samana and LT have some wonderful restaurants. Las Galeras is still a small fishing village at the very northeast end of the DR. I have found more night life in LT. The beaches along the Samana peninsula are fabulous. Rincon, the beaches at LT, Coson, you can't go wrong either way. And the waterfalls at Limon and the horse ride up are equally nice. I can't say enough good about Samana, LG, and LT! Enjoy your long weekend!

EL MONTE AZUL - Pierre et Vanina, Las Galeras - Restaurant Reviews - TripAdvisor

If you can get to this place you will be in heaven. Food is great, view is unbelievable. But to get there is another story.

My suggestion is to stick to either Las Galeras, Las Terrenas or Samana area. When I wrote this guide to Samana had that in mind. The reason is that Samana is spread out, and there is so much to see and do in each area so it is not worth it to spend the time on the roads going from one place to another.

Walk the entire beach of Playa Rincon, and also visit La Playita, that is nearby. Do not miss going to swim in the natural aquarium with Kaio (beach of Amhsa Marina Grand Paradise -- cost RD$500 per person.)

http://dr1.com/travel/samanaguide.pdf

See hotel tels at Northeast - Directories, Dominican Republic.

Maybe you can reverse your decision. In low season Las Galleras is really dead in the evening. Much better in Las Terrenas depending on the day (but not comparable to high season). And the waterfall is a little far from Las Galleras for a weekendtrip.

Julia31 said:

We decided for Las Galeras. I would like to use the opportunity to go horseback riding in Samana. Are there any ranches that offer horses larger than a donkey?

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If you google horseback riding in Las Galeras you will find some info. I would do a local tour near Las Galeras. There is a listing for Rudy's Rancho. Ask at the place you are staying about this. The horseback riding into the falls at Limon is really more about transporting you to the falls vs. actual horseback riding on some decent horses. The nightlife in Las Galeras will most likely be kind of quiet this time a year. Have fun.

Ok. Then I recommend a short boattrip to Playa Fronton. Search for a thread from Frank12.

https://www.google.com/search?q=pla...Frinconrubi-playarinconsamana.com%2F;1400;800

Playa Rincon, rated in the top ten in the World.

horseback riding Las Galeras

Julia31 said:

We decided for Las Galeras. I would like to use the opportunity to go horseback riding in Samana. Are there any ranches that offer horses larger than a donkey?

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Karin (La Hacienda,) offers great horseback excursions. Really good horses, individual tours, my best trip was the long gallopade along Rincon beach.

Have a nice time at Las Galeras.