Las Terrenas. Once a sleepy, little fishing village on the North Coast of the Samana Peninsula, today's Las Terrenas is a prime vacation destination for visitors to the Dominican Republic.
With miles of undeveloped white-sandy beaches and protected inshore waters, this city of over 11,000 people is a bustling center of activity. And although fishing is still an important part of local life, the allure of this tropical paradise has fueled its growth to become an important part of the world's rapidly growing, recreational market.

The balmy climate with it's ever-present trade winds and the warm temperature of the sub-tropical Atlantic Ocean combine to provide this part of the island with year-round, delightful weather with only a few degrees difference in temperature between winter and summer. Even during those infrequent winter days when a "Northeaster" blows in from the North American continent, a light windbreaker is all the extra clothing needed. Annual rainfall is moderate with no perceptible "rainy season" usually found in the more tropical, equatorial locations.
The island's majestic terrain was described by Christopher Columbus as "the most beautiful land in the world," and today the Samana Peninsula is acknowledged as the jewel in the crown of the Dominican Republic.

-Beginning in the late 1970's, Europeans began settling in the area and Las Terrenas slowly began its' evolution to the city we know today with dozens of quaint hotels, restaurants with International menus, bars, shops, Internet cafes, large supermarkets and supporting businesses of all kinds. The European segment of the population has grown to over 1,000 people and as they have flourished so has tourism. And although the official language is Spanish, it is not uncommon to hear English, French, German, Italian and even Dutch being spoken.

Las Terrenas is reached by two main roads: one from Sanchez at the western end of the peninsula and the other from the city of Samana by way of the village of El Limon and the resort at El Portillo. Both roads follow a winding route over the mountains and through the lush "arroyos"(valleys) across the peninsula and provide a scenic and sometimes spectacular view of the rich, mountainous terrain with its simple, country life.
Although the Sanchez road is the more scenic of the two, extra care must be taken traversing this route as the road is heavily traveled and contains many switchbacks and precipitous sections.

Several banks with ATM cash machines are in Las Terrenas; one in the Paseo shopping center and the other located about a mile back out the Sanchez highway in another shopping center. In addition to the banks' services, foreign currency exchange shops (Cambios) are located throughout the area.
Although many hotels, restaurants and merchants accept US dollars and some other foreign currencies, credit cards and Traveler's Checks, it's best to exchange your currency beforehand and deal in Dominican pesos. The official exchange rate is posted (and honored) at the banks, but it may vary from merchant to merchant.
Know and ask for the current rate before you exchange money and make the exchange only in a legitimate exchange facility, not on the street. In all ATM, exchange or sales transactions, use common sense in displaying your money. Extra cash, passports, airline tickets, etc. should be left in your hotel's safe.

Telephone calls and internet connections may be made at the Codetel communications building on the Sanchez highway several hundred yards back from the beach.
In addition to International Calling Card and cash calls, traditional long distance and international operator- assisted calls are available.
Codetel "Communicard" calling cards are available here as well as at various locations throughout the community.

There are a number of internet cafes around town and some hotels offer telephone and internet service and accept outgoing mail. Ask when you check in. The Post Office is located in the Paseo, the big, beachfront shopping mall.
Although the official mail service (Correo) is routinely used for regular on-island and overseas mail (letters, post cards, etc.) it is best to use private shipping services for all merchandise and important documents. Inquire about this at your hotel's service desk.