Enjoy the Samana Peninsula
Monte Placido is located on the North Coast of the Samana Peninusla in a village called La Barbacoa. We are the perfect launching spot for any excursion in the area. You can walk down our hill to the main road and with a reservation request, a tour bus will meet you in front of Colmado Nene. You can book your excursion through a tour operator or we can advise you how get there on your own.
POPULAR EXCURSIONS
Waterfalls in El Limon
The waterfalls are wonderful and a very short drive from Monte Placido. You can easily drive there on your own and visit by foot or on horseback. You can also book with a tour operator.
HIKE TO THE FALLS ON YOUR OWN.
Find the walking trail which is about fifteen minutes from Monte Placido right after Rancho Ismael (see picture of the sign at entrance to walking trail). The trail is rocky and always very muddy. It takes 45 minutes each way (whether you walk or ride). Plan to spend some time swimming at the falls. Walking is free plus $100 peso entry fee per person. A teenage boy may offer to accompany you. It is good to take the boy as he will guide you and watch your belongings when you swim. Prepare to tip him about $500 pesos.
Find the walking trail which is about fifteen minutes from Monte Placido right after Rancho Ismael (see picture of the sign at entrance to walking trail). The trail is rocky and always very muddy. It takes 45 minutes each way (whether you walk or ride). Plan to spend some time swimming at the falls. Walking is free plus $100 peso entry fee per person. A teenage boy may offer to accompany you. It is good to take the boy as he will guide you and watch your belongings when you swim. Prepare to tip him about $500 pesos.
VISIT ON YOUR OWN BY HORSE.
As you drive along the road in El Limon, locals will wave with horse in hand yelling "Las Cascada." You can stop and let them be your guide by horseback. Taking a horse with a local should cost no more than $500RD (about 12 dollars) plus a 100 peso park entry fee per person.
As you drive along the road in El Limon, locals will wave with horse in hand yelling "Las Cascada." You can stop and let them be your guide by horseback. Taking a horse with a local should cost no more than $500RD (about 12 dollars) plus a 100 peso park entry fee per person.
BOOK THE EXCURSION WITH A TOUR OPERATOR.
Flora Tours (809 240 5482) www.flora-tours.net. For $55 dollars they will provide transportation, entrance fee, lunch and tip for the horse handler. Tours are daily 8:00am - 1:00pm.
Flora Tours (809 240 5482) www.flora-tours.net. For $55 dollars they will provide transportation, entrance fee, lunch and tip for the horse handler. Tours are daily 8:00am - 1:00pm.
Whale Watching in Samana
Every year thousands of Humpback Whales start their journey from the cold waters in the North Atlantic to the Caribbean. More than 1,500 of them visit the Bay of Samana each winter so at any given time during the season (January 1 to March 31), there are about 300 Humpback Whales in the Bay. Drive to Samana and Kim Beddall, a Marine Mammal Specialist and will be your guide for about $64 dollars. (809 538 2494) www.whalesamana.com You can also book through a tour operator and they will include transportation for about $75 dollars.
Zipline near Playa Valle
Samana Zipline Tour is an excellent excursion to do with friends, family and children. It's an eco-tourism attraction for all ages that combines connecting with nature, flying into the forest, swimming in cascades and having lunch at the great "El Valle" beach. There are two zipline companies in Samana. The larger one is called "Samana Zipline." samanatreetopzipline.com/ Drive there and the price at the gate is about $60 dollars for the basic zipline. Take a tour with transportation provided for about $95 dollars.
Los Haitises National Park
Los Haitises is famous for its limestone formations, caves, and grottoes filled with pictographs and petroglyphs left by indigenous Taíno Indians. You can not go there on your own as the park is accessible only by boat. You'll sail around dozens of dramatic rock islands and spectacular cliff faces. Swirling above are hundreds of beautiful coastal birds. A tour costs about $75 dollars and will let you visit the many caverns.
Flora Tours (809 240 5482) www.flora-tours.net.
Arena Tours (809 968 5474) www.arenatours-lasterrenas.com.
Flora Tours (809 240 5482) www.flora-tours.net.
Arena Tours (809 968 5474) www.arenatours-lasterrenas.com.
Half Day ATV Tour!
Quad excursions are exciting. No experience necessary. You can take a tour to the beach and enjoy a cool swim, then travel through the countryside stopping to feast on a typical Dominican meal of fish & chicken, rice & beans, salad, french fries or fried plantains. Excursions offered by Flora Tours. www.flora-tours.net/excursion-fr/index.php
ACTIVITIES
Rancho Playa Horseback Riding.
Rancho Playa is located very close to Monte Placido in our little village of La Barbacoa. They offer horseback riding lessons and also excursions both on the beach an in the hills. They have special classes and activities for children.
ranchoplayalt.com/. 829 868 5233
ranchoplayalt.com/. 829 868 5233
Mountain Bike Excursions
MTV Vacations (find them on Facebook) offer Mountain Bike Excursions and also bikes for rent. Phone: 809 517 5722 / 829 320 1376 / 809 240 6801
Las Terrenas Kite Surf Club & Loco Kite
El Portillo Beach (5 minutes from Monte Placido) is a favorite spot for Kite Surfing. You can take lessons and have fun trying to master this thrilling sport.The Kite Surf Club office is in Punta Popy (809 801 5671). The beach at Punta Popy and at Coson are other popular Kite Surf destinations.
www.lasterrenas-kitesurf.com
www.lasterrenas-kitesurf.com
Turtle Dive Center - Las Terrenas
The Turtle Dive Center is in El Paseo in Las Terrenas (829 903 0659) They offer lessons in diving and snorkeling. There are 12 dive sites within 20 minutes by boat where you can discover the wonderful world underwater. On a typical dive you might see sea fans,sponges, large Lion Fish, Fish Soldiers, Gireles and an occasional Barracuda or Moray Eel.
www.turtledivecenter.com
www.turtledivecenter.com
Las Terrenas Sailing Club
Enjoy recreational sailing and lessons on Catamarans, Lasers Sunfish and Optimists for children starting at age 6. The Club is a member of the Dominican Sailing Federation and employs certified instructors. The Club also offers Sailing Camps during school vacation breaks. As guests of Monte Placido, you have free use of the sea kayaks and discount prices on rentals. The Sailing Club is located at the end of Las Ballenas Beach near Restaurant Sol & Mar.
RESTAURANTS
Las Terrenas is a small, yet sophisticated, resort town. It has a charming atmosphere with a variety of restaurants, cafes, bars and discos. With a community of over 5,000 expat residences from over 45 different countries, Las Terrenas has an international flair for food you won’t find anywhere else in the Dominican Republic. In Las Terrenas, you will enjoy a delicious variety of cuisine for every budget. It is impossible to include ALL of the restaurants. We have tried to provide you with the most established, listed by the area in which they are located.as your drive from Monte Placido, through town and out towards Playa Coson. We have also highlighted some of our favorites in RED.
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YERBA BUENA Restaurant is walking distance from Monte Placido. On Calle Luna you turn towards the left, opposite direction of the main road. Walk the dirt road to the residence CLAVE VERDE and follow the sign up the hill to their restaurant YERBA BUENA. Very delicious food. Ask to see the menu in our reception.
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EL PORTILLO
- PORTO: Elegant restaurant on the beach. It is associated with Balcones del Atlantico. 809 240 5011
- MOSQUITO BAR & GRILLE: Casual, fun place on the beach next to Porto.
- MOJITOS: Cuban. On the beach. Great "mojitos"! Two for one Happy Hour Wednesday.
- TRE CARAVELLE: Franco-Italian. Delicious fresh food! 809 917 6639
- CHEZ SANDRO: Place to go for prime meat! 809 240 5606
- LA DOLCE VITA: Italian elegant.
- LOS PINOS: Dominican & International food. 809 240 6168
- PIZZA COCO: Pizza, Italian. Will deliver. Ask for menu in reception.
- EL LUGAR: Great meat!
- FRENCH BOULANGERIE (Bakery): Popular for breakfast. On Main Street across from El Paseo area.
- PACO CABANA: Very chic. Varied selection of good food. Great bar and lounge area. 809 240 5301
- BARRIO LATINO: Breakfast, pizza, burgers, ice cream and more. Closed Sunday
- LA YUCA CALIENTE: Pizza, Italian.
- CAFE BRUNO: Breakfast, sandwiches, ice cream.
- CASA AZUL: Best Pizza (yummy!). Also, grill and 15 salads.
- ZUBERS:Very inexpensive terrific breakfast. Good beer and delicious sausages.
- EL DIECIOCHO - Delicious upscale food.
- FALAFEL - If you are VEGAN this is the place for you.
- MEXICAN RESTAURANT - Very good.
- EL PASITO - Great little place.
- CAYUCO: Spanish cuisine
- LA TERRASSE: Romantic, elegant French cuisine.809 240 6730
- PIZZA PLAYA: Pizza, Italian.
- REPLAY: Disco / Bar
- ONE LOVE SURFSHACK: Canadian breakfast, thick and juicy burgers. Watch football NFL here.
- LA SALSA: French cuisine. Starter and main dish for only $150RD. Good food but small portions.
- GAIA SUSHI BAR: Top floor. Cool atmosphere. Sushi Bar. 809 914 1023
- LA OLA - French with good prices.
- BARAONDA: Great breakfast buffet! Italian cuisine
- SOL & MAR: All the way at the end of the beach next to the Sailing Club.
- CASA GRANDE: Mediterranean, Asiatic, Creole. Ocean view. 809 240 6349
- ATLANTIS: Fine traditional French cuisine, Owned by Gerard Prytasz, former chef to Francois Mitterand. 809 240 6111
- THE BEACH: Associated with the exclusive Peninsula House. Imaginative and authentic French. 809 847 3288
- LUIS SURF SHACK: Cooking shack and picnic tables. Dominican seafood and chicken grill on the beach.
- CASA COSON: French & Italian flare. Pizza, Fresh fish. Mid priced.