The Village of LAS GALERAS

Although Las Galeras is currently experiencing a mini-boom, life in this small, rustic fishing community is still quiet and serene. The early morning hours witness the local fishermen setting out to sea in their little boats and the warm tropical sun heralds the start of daily activities centered around Rincon and Las Galeras Bays and their outstanding beaches. With a world-class beach, Playa Rincon, as the crowning jewel of all the Caribbean's beaches, the adjoining bays play host to some 9 beaches, with each one being a picture-perfect, postcard-like setting for a carefree, tropical vacation. The main beach of Las Galeras is at the very end of the North Coast Highway, the village's principal street. Here you will find both native-built fishing boats and the more modern ones used for excursions to outlying area beaches. The end of the road is also the terminus for taxi service, both public and private. Public taxis, "gua-guas," leave for Samana every 20 minutes from 7am until 6pm daily. A ramshackle, native restaurant is also there on the beach. A short walk east along the beach road and past the little point brings you to Playa Cala Blanca, a shallow, protected beach with a sandy bottom that is great for children. Although on private property, this beach is open to the public as are all beaches in the Dominican Republic. Further east out on the tip of Cape Samana are two other beaches, Playa Madama and Playa Fronton. Although these two beaches may be reached by horseback or on foot, they are more easily reached by boat but only in settled weather. Several hundred yards back out the highway from the main part of the village is Playita Road. It leads to Playita Beach, about a 15 minutes walk. This little beach is completely undeveloped (as are most of the bays' beaches) and plays host to one of the prettiest snorkeling reefs in the area. As the reef starts just off the beach in shallow water, it is fine for children who are just getting their "water wings" and experiencing their first thrill of discovery of underwater marine life. Continuing westward along the shoreline towards the end of the bay and Playa Rincon are several small, isolated beaches with patches of rocky reef and a few coral heads near shore. Further past these isolated gems and just before the big beach of Rincon is Playa Colorado, another of the Peninsula's beaches that looks like it belongs in the South Pacific. At the foot of the surrounding mountains at the west end of the bay is Playa Rincon, "corner beach" in Spanish. Ranked among the finest beaches in the world, Rincon is a "must see" on any visitors list. Rincon is reached by car (4 WD recommended), by horseback over the mountains or by boat from the main beach in Las Galeras. You can make arrangements to take you by boat to Playa Rincon and other remote beaches with one of the local Captains who hang out on Las Galeras' main beach. Other watersports offered in Las Galeras include SCUBA diving with Dive Samana and fishing from open boats. Land-based activities include horseback riding in the surf or on the back roads through the campo for an interesting look at authentic country living. For magnificent views of the area, ride high up in the mountains on a trip to Playa Rincon for a fun day of riding and "beaching" it. Horses can be rented locally. On this popular, guided tour to Rincon, the panorama of the bays and the mountains, the lushness of the tropical forest and the close-up views of life in the campo are well worth the ride. Be sure and bring your bathing suit and your camera! You can also go by horseback or hike out on foot to the tip of Cape Samana for a swim at the two beaches there. A guide is also recommended for this trek. Rent a Jeep and take a day trip to one of the Peninsula's attractions. Drive over to Playa Rincon or to the beach at Playa del Valle. Swim in the surf or cool off in the cold waters of the fresh-water spring that flows from beneath the big, rock formation that bisects del Valle's beach. Be sure and make a return stop at the little waterfall and Jack's Restaurant on the Rio San Juan. This is the first of two rivers you must ford on the way to the beach. See the directions on the Attractions main page, Waterfalls section. This makes an especially nice day trip. Other activities include cockfights at the local "gallera" (cock fighting arena) and they are held on Thursday afternoons. Baseball games between area teams are scheduled several times a week at the local ballfield, and who knows, you may be watching a future Sammy Sosa or Pedro Martinez, or even an Allou brother honing his skills for the professional leagues! Dominican baseball players are legendary and all get their start in these little home fields. In the village you can leisurely wander around and discover little shops and boutiques, chat with the locals, exchange money at the bank, call home, send a fax or even check your e-mail. You can sample traditional Dominican foods at roadside vendors or have a bite of lunch at one of the different restaurants along the main street. Or better yet, do nothing at all but simply relax on the beach or by the pool and enjoy the peacefulness and solitude for which this remote part of the Peninsula is noted. Nights are for sumptuous dining with traditional fare or fresh seafood caught that day in local waters by fishermen in their little boats. Eat in your hotel or in the village. Close in on the main street are several restaurants with an International Cuisine and further out along the road are several small Dominican restaurants. For dessert, stop by one of several area salsa bars for a drink of "Mama Juana" and a trip or two around the floor dancing to the merengue's captivating rhythms. Let yourself "go Dominican" for a while. Complete the evening with quiet conversation and a dreamy stroll along a moonlit beach with your companion. Reach up and touch the stars flung across the tropical-night sky. Let the magic of the moment touch your heart and then come to understand the peaceful simplicity of life here in Las Galeras, our little village by the sea.