Town in Samaná, Dominican Republic
Las Terrenas
Laid-back Samaná beach town with a large French and Italian community, good restaurants and quiet beaches. Suits slow stays and couples; solo travelers meet people easily, but it is remote and the road in is long.
At a glance
- Safety4/5Safe with normal careDetails
- Monthly budget$1,510–2,350Comfortable, one person · RD$90,000–140,000Details
- Value for money50/100Better value than 49% of places we coverDetails
- Best time to goDec–AprWarmest: Sep, 29°CDetails
- Internet74 MbpsFixed broadband, Dominican Republic medianDetails
- Tap waterNo, drink bottledDrink bottled or filtered water; restaurants use purified ice.Details
- LGBTQ+3/5Tolerant, but be discreetDetails
- Solo travel4/5English: limitedDetails
- Doctor's visit$25–67Private clinic, without insuranceDetails
- Getting aroundMotoconchoWalkable centerDetails
- Cash or cardMostly cashCards work in some restaurants and hotels; cash in pesos or euros for motoconchos, markets and small bars.Details
Where to stay in Las Terrenas
Areas visitors base themselves in.
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Pueblo de los Pescadores (centre) | Restaurants, bars and shops within walking distance |
| El Portillo | Resorts, a quieter beach and the road to the airport |
| Playa Bonita | Long beach, surf and quieter stays east of town |
| Cosón | Long white beach and secluded villas |
Apps that work in Las Terrenas
No ride-hailing apps work here; see the taxi note below.
- Maps: Google Maps
- Messaging: WhatsApp
- AlertaCOE: Official storm and emergency alerts (Spanish)
- Taxis: No ride-hailing apps operate reliably here. Use local taxis, motoconchos or hotel-arranged drivers.
Cash, cards and tipping
What to carry and how to pay. Money in Dominican Republic.
- Mostly cash Cards work in some restaurants and hotels; cash in pesos or euros for motoconchos, markets and small bars. ATMs are few and run dry at weekends.
- Currency: Peso (DOP). US$1 ≈ RD$59.59 on 03 Oct 2026.
- ATMs: Expect a local fee and low per-withdrawal limits; use ATMs inside banks or malls because of skimming.
- Tipping: Restaurant bills add 18% ITBIS tax and a 10% legal service charge; leave another 5–10% for good service. Tip guides and drivers.
- Paying by phone: Contactless cards, Apple Pay and Google Pay work in malls, chains and hotels; cash elsewhere.
Before you go
Visa and entry
- Fill in the free e-Ticket (entry/exit and customs form) up to 7 days before arriving and before leaving; keep the QR code.
- The US$10 tourist card is included in most airfares; fingerprints and a photo are taken on arrival.
- You may be asked for an onward ticket. Overstays are charged as a fee at the airport when you leave.
Emergency numbers
Tourist police 809-200-3500 · All emergencies 911
Plugs
Type A, B · 120 V, 60 Hz. Do I need an adapter?
SIM and eSIM
Claro or Altice prepaid SIM at the airport or brand stores, with passport; monthly data packs are cheap. eSIMs work for visitors.
More places in Dominican Republic
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Sources
Prices are SoloSquare estimates; climate, air, safety and visa figures come from the sources listed. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.