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2025 Las Terrenas DR
  • Heinz Imhof
  • Heinz Imhof

2025 Las Terrenas DR

This blog is bout a quick 5-nights get taway to the lesser known beaches of the Domenican Republic on the northern-eastern coast of the island. Let us be surprised! Read more
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  • Trip start
    March 1, 2025
    Heinz Imhof2025 Las Terrenas DRTraveler
    Approaching Santo Domingo
    Taxi driver Miguel2View from our appartment balcony2

    Travel Day

    March 1 in Dominican Republic ⋅ ⛅ 75 °F

    Our adventure began at an ungodly hour, with the alarm blaring at 3:00 AM for a 6:00 AM departure from DFW. Fortunately, our early-rising neighbor, Steve, kindly offered to drive us to the airport—a lifesaver at that hour!

    After a smooth first leg, our connecting flight out of Miami was delayed, and we finally touched down in Santo Domingo at 3:17 PM. No matter—our taxi driver, Miguel, greeted us in the waiting area with a big grin and a reassuring “No problemo!” Soon, we were settled into his comfortable, air-conditioned, WiFi-equipped Toyota van for the two-hour journey across the island to Las Terrenas.

    The changing landscape kept us captivated—lush palm forests gave way to arid plains, then to vibrant green rice fields and sprawling cow pastures. Along the way, we quickly realized we were in a very different world. The Dominican Republic, for all its beauty, remains a developing country. Many locals travel by foot or on moto scooters, and the homes and farms we passed were often simple structures with corrugated metal roofs.

    Las Terrenas itself felt like stepping back in time—reminiscent of the small towns we had seen 50 years ago in Mexico, Central, and South America. As we approached the more developed beachfront area, we spotted the first other foreigner since leaving the airport.

    Our first glimpse of Hotel Alisei didn’t quite match the polished images from the website, and initial impressions were mixed. It’s certainly no five-star resort, but check-in was friendly and efficient. Our third-floor apartment was spacious, with a large balcony, kitchen, living room, two bedrooms, and two bathrooms—though the air conditioning was minimal and the decor could use an update. Still, everything was clean and functional. What have we gotten ourselves into?

    After freshening up, we made our way downstairs for a much-needed Caipirinha and a delicious fresh fish dinner on the covered porch of the restaurant. Exhausted from the long journey, I slipped under the covers early, eager to see what this little slice of paradise has in store for us tomorrow.

    Stay tuned! 🌴✨    Read more

  • Heinz Imhof2025 Las Terrenas DRTraveler
    1141Tuna tartar with onions and capers

    Falling for Las Terrenas

    March 2 in Dominican Republic ⋅ ☀️ 82 °F

    The night was blissfully quiet—not a single sound disturbed our sleep. Waking up fully rested, we dressed for the beach and took a short stroll around Hotel Alisei, exploring its lush grounds, inviting pool area, and the tempting spa.

    Along the way, we met an English gentleman who has been vacationing here for 13 years—an encouraging sign! Breakfast at the hotel restaurant was another pleasant surprise, offering everything we love: fresh, ripe tropical fruits, delicious juices, and a generous spread that set the tone for the day.

    On our way back to the apartment, we stopped by the pool and struck up a conversation with a friendly Canadian couple. They’ve been coming here for years and recently bought one of the apartments. Now, that sounded even more promising!

    As we continued to explore, our initial skepticism about this place quickly faded. The warm hospitality, the relaxed atmosphere, and the natural beauty around us were winning us over. A long walk along the pristine, sandy beach only reinforced our growing appreciation.

    Sipping fresh coconut water at a beach café, reggae music drifting through the air, and a light afternoon snack—by then, it was official: we had fallen in love with this place.

    We enjoyed another delightful dinner at the same restaurant as yesterday, sharing a whole fish with rice and salad. To top it off, we indulged in a heavenly Pavlova—crispy meringue, fresh cream, and tangy passion fruit pulp. A perfect ending to the meal!

    Stay tuned for tomorrow’s adventure! 🌴✨    Read more

  • Heinz Imhof2025 Las Terrenas DRTraveler
    PlumeiraBougainvillea1Our Apartment (27)221Water temperature in Las Terrenas today is 27.7°C

    Leisurely Beach Day

    March 3 in Dominican Republic ⋅ ☀️ 82 °F

    Waking up to the sight of a brilliant blue sky and golden sunshine was the perfect start to another beautiful day.

    While the maintenance crew worked on fixing the ceiling fan, we headed down to indulge in yet another elaborate breakfast buffet at Hotel Alisei. The choice was fantastic, but the highlight? The fresh, ripe tropical fruits and delicious fruit juices—an absolute treat! And, of course, the coffee didn’t disappoint; it was the perfect wake-up call.

    With the weather app predicting some rain for the next three days, we decided to make the most of the sunshine by spending the entire day on the stunning beach and lounging around the pool.

    My iPhone was constantly at work, capturing photos and videos of this tropical paradise, but nothing compares to experiencing it in person—the sounds of the waves, the soft ocean breeze, and the warmth of the sun.

    One of the best parts of the day was meeting and chatting with fellow travelers, most of whom were from Canada. We wondered why so many Canadians were here, and the answer was simple: Samaná International Airport (AZS) is just a 30-minute drive away, with direct daily flights from Montreal and Toronto. Naturally, English was the common language, but we also had the chance to practice our French.

    Tonight, we’re looking forward to dinner at the nearby Restaurant Las Cayenas, a perfect way to end a day in paradise. 😊

    Stay tuned for tomorrow! 🏝️    Read more

  • Heinz Imhof2025 Las Terrenas DRTraveler
    Birds of Paradise or Lobster Claws
    Crown of Thornsat 6:00PM still no rain 😂

    No Rain 😂👍

    March 4 in Dominican Republic ⋅ ☀️ 79 °F

    The forecast warned of a 40% chance of rain today, but we didn’t let that dictate our plans. We started the day with a lovely breakfast, followed by a leisurely stroll around the hotel grounds, admiring and capturing photos of the vibrant tropical flowers and lush greenery.

    With towels in hand, we then headed straight to the beach for a day of pure relaxation. Walking to the right along the shore brings us close to downtown Las Terrenas—a lively area we’re currently avoiding for security reasons. Instead, we prefer heading left, where the beach stretches for about two miles before meeting a natural barrier of rocks and dense forest. The scenery is simply breathtaking.

    Now, at 5:45 PM, the anticipated rain has yet to make an appearance—I guess that ship has sailed! Tonight, we’re planning an early dinner, ensuring we’re back in time to catch President Trump’s address to Congress as the trade war escalates and the U.S. temporarily pauses aid to Ukraine.

    Another peaceful day in our tropical retreat! Stay tuned for tomorrow, our last day in this beautiful place 🏝️🍺⛱️🇩🇴.    Read more

  • Heinz Imhof2025 Las Terrenas DRTraveler
    Typical Las Terrenas street.... older beach front hotel1View from our balcony before sundown31

    Last Day

    March 5 in Dominican Republic ⋅ 🌙 77 °F

    Our time in Las Terrenas has been magical. This coastal town, once an isolated fishing and farming village, has a fascinating history. A local shared with us that most of its early inhabitants were of African descent, living self-sufficiently off the land and sea. In 1945, a Jewish family purchased land here and expanded the farming operations. Over time, Italian and French immigrants began settling in the area, and a dirt road was built to connect the village to Santo Domingo.

    Las Terrenas saw significant development over the years. A telephone office was established in 1991, followed by the arrival of electricity in 1994. A public water system was introduced in 1997. The town’s accessibility improved in 2012 with the completion of the paved highway to Santo Domingo, reducing the drive from SDQ airport to just two hours. From its humble beginnings, Las Terrenas has grown into a lively town of about 40,000 people, now home to a vibrant expat community, including French, Italian, German, Canadian, and British residents.

    Today was our last day in this little gem on the north coast. A light morning drizzle brought cooler air as we enjoyed breakfast at a beachfront restaurant, where we met a friendly woman from Denton, Texas, and an elderly couple from Bogotá, Colombia. The rest of the day was pure bliss—lounging on the beach, swimming in the crystal-clear Caribbean waters, and soaking in the beauty of this paradise.

    For our final dinner, we returned to Cayenas, indulging in a whole Chillo fish with fresh vegetables, followed by a delicious Tiramisu. Tomorrow, we say goodbye to Las Terrenas, with our flight to Dallas departing at 4:58 PM.

    Until next time!    Read more

    Trip end
    March 6, 2025
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