by Matt Bokor
Last updated: 10:00 AM ET, Wed October 19, 2016
Staying this time at the mid-range Las Palmas Al Mar villas, my wife and I spent quality time at the beach in blue lounge chairs, occasionally shifting them to follow the shade of the coconut palms. We strategically parked ourselves a few steps from a drink shack for a steady flow of Presidente beer, the national brew.
To experience luxury at its finest, escape to Sublime Samaná Hotel & Residence, an exclusive collection of 52 suites and 24 casitas (freestanding villas) nestled among seven oceanfront acres. Modern and elegant, the resort, five minutes from Las Terrenas, opened in 2012 and centers around an expansive canal of pools stretching nearly 500 feet from end-to-end.
Waterfalls, Caves and Whale-Watching
Another plus for Las Terrenas is its proximity to other great destinations. The best side trips are a half-day excursion to the moss-draped, 120-foot waterfall at El Limón, and a day trip to Los Haitises National Park, a former pirate hideout featuring unique rock keys, pristine mangrove forests, serpentine caves and coastal and inland wildlife habitats.
From January through March, whale-watching excursions provide visitors a close-up view of humpback whales frolicking in their annual winter migration from the northern Gulf of Maine to Samaná Bay.
In our latest visit, we mustered the courage to rent surfboards (about $9 an hour) to try stand-up paddle surfing. Although I could paddle pretty easily on my knees, standing up proved more challenging, as evidenced by the row of bruises across my chest from falling onto the board. Next time we'll do it right and take lessons at Carolina Surf School, owned and operated by Dominican surfing pro Carolina Gutierrez.
While we enjoy the all-inclusive experience on occasion, we also enjoy immersing ourselves in the local mix of people, culture, shops and sites while traveling. Being a Dominican beach town with European flair, Las Terrenas weaves it all together.
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