Beautiful Playa Rincon. Photo © Brent, licensed Creative Commons Attribution.
Las Galeras is known for its untouched beaches. Walking the white sands, you might find yourself on a secluded beach, surrounded by tall palms. These beaches have been hailed by many Dominicans as the most gorgeous in all of the Dominican Republic. Certainly, if you are not staying overnight in Las Galeras, their splendor alone is reason for a day trip.Playa Rincón’s remoteness and terrible roads are probably keeping it from being overcrowded. To reach Playa Rincón by car, a four-wheel-drive (like a jeep) is strongly recommended. The eight-kilometer trip from Las Galeras to the town of Rincón takes 40 minutes, and then you turn off for a two-kilometer, very rough ride to the beach. But the best way to reach Playa Rincón is by boat. At the main beach in Las Galeras you can find local boat captains with whom you can make arrangements for a departure and pickup time to Playa Rincón or any of the other beaches in the area (about US$12 per person). If you decide to take a taxi, you’ll pay about US$50 round-trip.
The Río Frío is a freshwater river that flows along the western end of Playa Rincón. It is a popular place to take a dip, despite the frigid temperature of the water, and grab something to eat at the fresh fish shacks set up there.
At the north end of Highway 5 is Playa Las Galeras, a perfectly good beach where you can catch boats to other beaches or simply while away the afternoon enjoying the white sands and calm waters, with lunch from a small fish stand.
Adjacent Playa Cala Blanca, a short walking distance away, is a tranquil beach perfect for families with small children. The coral reef offshore prevents big waves from making it to the beach, creating a shallow, warm, and tranquil pool.
Playita can be reached by foot or from the main road just south of Las Galeras; turn west onto a dirt road that is marked for the beach and the Hotel La Playita. The beach itself has tranquil surf, a wide sandy area, and a coconut grove. You can get some fresh fish and a cool drink from the stands here.
These adjoining beaches are a bit harder to get to, but their beauty will give a huge payoff to those who make the effort. East of Las Galeras are the rocky shores and high bluffs surrounding Playas Madama and Frontón. Playa Madama is wonderful for snorkeling, and it is not unheard of to find these beaches with few to no other people on them. These beaches are best reached by boat. Negotiate a price with the Playa Las Galeras local boat captains.
La Península de Samaná
Excerpted from the Fourth Edition of Moon Dominican Republic.
