Club Bonito
dananaomi said:
I will be on The SAmana Peninsula March 15th until the 20th. As of now I have booked a room at Club Bonito for the 5 nights. It seemed nice on the internet. Does anyone know anything about the place? I was also wondering about the whale watching excursions- will middle MArch be too late for that? What about bike and ATV renting? Where can I do this and how much does it cost? And as far as bike riding around the towns- is las terrenas too far on bike? Are the roads ok for bike riding (very hilly?) Any info would help.
Thanks!!
Dana
Club Bonito is very nice; I visited friends who stayed there in late January. When I stayed in Samana proper. They had no complaints. You MUST get to Playa Rincon - either on the back of a motoconcho, or by boat. Eat at the best restaurant ever there under a blue tarp. No menu -just ask to see what they have in their coolers today: lobster, fish, etc.
You are in luck for the whales which were few in Jan/Feb. They are late this year - perfect for you!
Go only with KIM BEDALL and Victoria Marine. Her boats are the most comfortable in the high seas and she is the most knowledgeable. In Samana, her office is 10 feet back from the Malecon (main street). Behind BAMBOO restaurant (used to be called CAMILO'S). Try to reserve ahead of time. She is well worth whatever she charges you, and is fair and honnest.
Other boats are smaller and in my opinion dangerous and uncomfortable. I went out with her and loved it; would highly recommend her.
As for bicycling to Las Terrenas - IMHO you would be nutso. The roads are hilly, but that is the least of your concerns...
First, on your way to your hotel from the airport, you'll be ready to $hit just watching how your Very Experienced taxi driver bounces around the potholes. Unless you've been bicyling in a "developing" country before and either have biked the Darian Gap or simply have a Testosterone Death Wish, I suggest you wait until you get home to Idaho or wherever. Seriously, just walk, take gua-guas, and motoconchos. If you want exercise, walk up the hill from Samana to Las Galeras and wait at the top for a gua-gua to your hotel.
Lastly, as a friend in the DR told me soon after my arrival, "You are going to visit a magical place where, as in Alice In Wonderland, strange things can and do happen, on a regular basis." Once you accept this, you are ready for the time of your life.
And stay off of a bicycle. In no uncertain terms.
P.S. AZB has been known to practice his sharp shooting on foreign cyclists along the roads of Samana during Easter Week. If you're heavy, female and/or in love with a Definitely Different Sankie, he might have it in for you. Another reason to walk.