From Santo Domingo to Las Terrenas
From the Santo Domingo Airport to Las Terrenas takes just about 2 hours, and the drive is well worth it. The Santo Domingo Airport (SDQ) is the best airport to arrive at to reach Las Terrenas. The distance from the Santo Domingo Airport to Las Terrenas is about 140 km / 86 miles. This transfer will take you through the beautiful countryside of the Dominican Republic. As the rice fields and farms turn into palm trees and ocean views you will realize you have arrived in Las Terrenas.
While there is an airport closer, the exorbitant fees, the few flights per month and the lack of direct flights to the airport in Samana make the Santo Domingo Airport the airport of choice if you are vacationing in Las Terrenas.
Places To Stay In Las Terrenas
One of the many reasons Las Terrenas is such a great place to visit is because you can find an array of accommodations to stay that will fit any traveler’s budget. All-inclusive resorts, hotels, quaint bed & breakfasts and AirBnBs can be found throughout Las Terrenas.
All-Inclusive Resorts
All-inclusive resorts will allow you the opportunity to visit the Dominican Republic knowing that you have a safe, clean and beautiful place to make as your base camp. Once checked in you can relax, put your credit card and cash away, and head to the beach or pool with your favorite rum drink in hand.
Hotels
If you decide to stay in small hotel, house, condo, etc., it will allow you a greater opportunity to experience all that Las Terrenas has to offer. Without the all-you-can-eat restaurants and bars of the resorts, you will have a chance to eat and drink at many of the wonderful local restaurants.
You will interact more with the locals, enjoy more local foods, hear more local music and have a more culturally significant experience in Las Terrenas. For those of who don’t speak Spanish there are many places that will have English-speaking employees, menus in English and, of course, you can use your cellphone as a translator.
Reasons To Visit Las Terrenas
Las Terrenes has all the amenities a traveler is looking for while protecting its pristine and natural look. Areas like Punta Cana have been saturated with hotel after hotel.
Las Terrenes still has open space and pristine tropical beaches without any buildings. Much of the water is protected by the curvature of the land making many of the beaches and the water very tranquil and romantic.
Things To See And Do in Las Terrenas
Many of the“things to do and see” can be arranged by a local tour company. If you are staying in a resort, representatives there can help arrange these excursions, and, if you are staying in a small hotel or private residence, you may want to arrange these events before you arrive in Las Terrenas.
A simple Google search can identify many companies to help arrange these events for you. The one thing we caution you on is to understand the transportation time for your events. You don’t want to be on shuttle/bus all day just to do something that last for 30 minutes.
While there are many small beaches (playas) just outside where you may be staying, there are 3 main public beaches to enjoy: Playa Bonita, Playa Coson, and Playa Punta Popi.
You won’t have a problem finding your special spot on these public beaches to gaze out over the blueish-green waters of the Atlantic or to take a refreshing dip in the water as these beaches are never full.
About 1 ½ hours from the center of Las Terrenas this beach is worth the drive. You will travel through the mountains and then along the shore of the Samana Bay until you arrive at the pristine beach of Playa Rincon.
The only buildings you will see are two small huts that serve great local seafood. A wonderful day trip!
Day trips can be taken to see whales (when in season), dolphins (year round), Las Haitises National Park (caves, birds, untouched lands, fishing (year round), and general boat tours.
This 50-meter waterfall will leave you breathless. You will also enjoy swimming in the natural pool at the base of the waterfall. There are two ways to reach the falls: take a 25-minute walk or rent a horse and enjoy the ride!
Board a boat on the Samana Bay and head to the National Park -not a bad way to arrive. Filled with mangroves, limestone caves, animals, birds, islets and an undulating topography this is the best way to see and enjoy the nature and wildlife on the remote north-eastern coast of the Dominican Republic.
Enjoy the strong Caribbean breezes while on the Atlantic Ocean. This is one of the world’s best locations for wind and kite surfing -the northern coast of the Dominican Republic.
Restaurants and Bars in Las Terrenas
Depending on what side of Las Terrenas you are on, there are two streets that run along the ocean – Calle 27 de Febrero and Calle Caamano Deno Francisco.
Both are loaded with restaurants, cafes, and quaint places to find your favorite rum drink-many of these restaurants also have fantastic views of the ocean and beach.
You will find many Dominican, Italian, fusion and French restaurants scattered throughout the town.
Las Terrenas
Questions & Answers
Facts about transportation from Santo Domingo to Las Terrenas
What is the distance from the Santo Domingo Airport to Las Terrenas?
The distance from the Santo Domingo Airport to the center of Las Terrenas is about 145 km or 90 miles. Most hotels and AirBnBs are located within 16 kms or 10 miles of the center of Las Terrenas.
How long does it take to get from the Santo Domingo Airport to Las Terrenas?
From the Santo Domingo Airport to Las Terrenas will take about 2 to 2 ¼ hours to reach.
The first resort you reach in Las Terrenas is Viva Wyndham V Samana and is about a 2 hour drive time. The last resort located in Las Terrenas is Grand Bahia Principe El Portillo and is about 2 ¼ hours. Most AirBnB, private rentals and hotels are located someone in-between these two resorts.
Distance from Santo Domingo to las Terrenas?
The distance from Santo Domingo to the center of Las Terrenas is about 161 kms or 100 miles. Most hotels and AirBnbs are found within a 16 km or a 10 miles radius of the center of Las Terrenas.
How long does it take to get from Santo Domingo to Las Terrenas?
From Santo Domingo to Las Terrenas will take about 2 ¼ to 2 ¾ hours.
Note: Santo Domingo is large metropolitan area of 3 million people. Travel times can vary greatly based on traffic.
What is the cheapest way to get from Santo Domingo to Las Terrenas?
The cheapest way to get from Santo Domingo to Las Terrenas depends on the number of passengers in your group.
While the #1 preferred way to get from Santo Domingo to Las Terrenas (private transfer) is not always the cheapest, it is not that much more than the least expensive way, but it is a lot simpler, safer and more enjoyable.
The bus is probably the cheapest way to get from Santo Domingo to Las Terrenas, but keep in mind the buses don’t pick up at the airport so you will have to pay for a taxi to the bus station, wait for the next bus, buy the tickets, and then when you are arrive in Las Terrenas you will have to take a taxi from the bus station to where you are staying. While the bus tickets are only about $10 USD per person, the taxis, etc. will add up quickly and you will be quickly at or over $100 USD, almost the cost of a private transfer.
There are shared shuttles services and we advise taking these if you are a solo traveler. At about $65 USD for a shared shuttle service a solo travel can save money. With two passengers you are within the cost of a private transfer and with 3 or more passengers it will be more expensive to take a shared shuttle than a private transfer.
The private transfer, at about $40 USD more than the above options, is usually the best form of transportation for the cost. A few dollars more but a lot easier, a lot less time and a lot more comfortable. Door to door service, someone waiting for you to clear customs, and a direct transfer make this the best choice. Need a quote? Transfer from Santo Domingo to Las Terrenas.
How to travel from Santo Domingo Airport to Las Terrenas without renting a car?
The easiest way to get from the Santo Domingo Airport to Las Terrenas is with a car service. With a car service your driver will be waiting for you and once you clear customs, the driver will help you with your luggage and have you on your way to your final destination as soon as you clear customs. Need a quote? Transfer from Santo Domingo to Las Terrenas.
Is the transfer from Santo Domingo To Las Terrenas safe?
The short answer –Yes. The longer answer to if the transfer from Santo Domingo to Las Terrenas is safe, it is of course safe. We would never allow our passengers or drivers to be put in a bad situation. This is one of our primary routes and a route that our drivers like a lot. This main road to Las Terrenas is a private highway and is probably the best road in the country which makes the drive that much easier.
At night the drive to Las Terrenas from Santo Domingo can still be done and done safely but our drivers will drive a little slower. Not only is there obviously less light but because much of the drive is through the countryside there is always a chance for a cow or two to be on the road. Not typical, yet occasionally it happens -so we are always on the lookout.
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Need Help Getting From Santo Domingo To Las Terrenas
If you need help getting from the Santo Domingo Airport to Las Terrenas, please contact us for pricing and availability. Our reservations department and many of our drivers speak English.