The best hotels in Samana
Samana has over 8,000+ places to stay and most of them will disappoint you. overpriced, under-delivered, or nowhere near the beach they advertise. We reviewed the standouts, these 10 made the cut.
Our Top Picks in Samana
Click any hotel to check availability and book at the best price.
Hotel Cayena Beach
Playa Bonita, Las Terrenas
Free cancellation & Pay later
Alisei Hotel
Playa Las Terrenas, Las Terrenas
Free cancellation & Pay later
Bahia Las Ballenas
Village Center, Las Galeras
Free cancellation & Pay later
Hotel Residence Playa Colibri
Playa Coson, Las Terrenas
Free cancellation & Pay later
Gran Bahia Principe Cayacoa
Hillside above Bay, Santa Barbara de Samana
Free cancellation & Pay later
Sublime Samana Hotel
Playa Bonita, Las Terrenas
Free cancellation & Pay later
Peninsula House
Las Canas Hills, Las Terrenas
Free cancellation & Pay later
El Portillo Beach Resort
Playa El Portillo, El Portillo
Free cancellation & Pay later
All Hotels Compared
Side-by-side comparison to help you pick the right hotel. Prices reflect shoulder season averages.
| # | Hotel | City & Area | Price/Night | Score | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hotel Docia | Town Center, Las Terrenas | $55–85/night | 7.6/10 | Budget Pick |
| 2 | Hotel Cayena Beach | Playa Bonita, Las Terrenas | $75–110/night | 7.9/10 | Best Value |
| 3 | Alisei Hotel | Playa Las Terrenas, Las Terrenas | $110–175/night | 8.3/10 | Best Location |
| 4 | Bahia Las Ballenas | Village Center, Las Galeras | $120–180/night | 8.5/10 | Hidden Gem |
| 5 | Hotel Residence Playa Colibri | Playa Coson, Las Terrenas | $130–190/night | 8.4/10 | Romantic Stay |
| 6 | Gran Bahia Principe Cayacoa | Hillside above Bay, Santa Barbara de Samana | $150–220/night | 8.7/10 | Most Popular |
| 7 | Hotel Acaya | Beachfront, Las Galeras | $160–210/night | 8.9/10 | Top Rated |
| 8 | Sublime Samana Hotel | Playa Bonita, Las Terrenas | $195–260/night | 9/10 | Romantic Stay |
| 9 | Peninsula House | Las Canas Hills, Las Terrenas | $280–420/night | 9.3/10 | Luxury Pick |
| 10 | El Portillo Beach Resort | Playa El Portillo, El Portillo | $310–480/night | 8.8/10 | Family Friendly |
Why These Hotels Made Our List
Every hotel earned its spot. Here's exactly why we picked each one.
Hotel Docia
A simple, clean option right in the center of Las Terrenas, walking distance from Playa Las Terrenas. Rooms are basic but well-maintained with air conditioning and private bathrooms. The staff is friendly and helpful with local restaurant recommendations. Not a beach resort experience, but solid value for budget travelers exploring the peninsula.
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Hotel Cayena Beach
Sitting just steps from Playa Bonita, one of the most beautiful beaches on the Samana Peninsula, this small hotel punches above its price point. Rooms are straightforward but the beachfront access makes up for the lack of luxury finishes. The on-site restaurant serves fresh seafood at fair prices. Book a room with a sea-facing balcony if available.
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Alisei Hotel
The Alisei sits directly on Playa Las Terrenas with a good-sized pool and comfortable bungalow-style rooms spread across a tropical garden. It is a short walk to the main strip of restaurants and bars on Calle Principal. The buffet breakfast is generous and included in most rates. A reliable mid-range choice with genuine beach access.
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Bahia Las Ballenas
Las Galeras is the quieter, more remote end of the peninsula and this small hotel captures that laid-back atmosphere perfectly. Rooms are clean and decorated with local art, and the garden leading to the pool is well kept. The village beach is a five-minute walk and the boat tours to Playa Rincon depart nearby. A great base for travelers who want calm over convenience.
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Hotel Residence Playa Colibri
Located on the far quieter end near Playa Coson, this French-owned residence offers spacious studios and apartments with kitchenette facilities. The grounds are lush and the pool area is genuinely peaceful, away from the busier tourist strip. It works well for couples or longer stays where self-catering is a priority. The beach in front is almost always uncrowded.
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Gran Bahia Principe Cayacoa
Perched on a cliff above the Bay of Samana, this all-inclusive resort offers some of the most dramatic views on the entire peninsula. The property is large with multiple pools, restaurants, and a funicular connecting the main building to the beach below. It is one of the most recognizable hotels in the town of Samana and a solid all-inclusive choice. Peak whale-watching season in January through March fills the resort quickly.
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Hotel Acaya
A small boutique hotel right on the beach at Las Galeras, run by an attentive local family. Each of the rooms is individually decorated and the attention to detail is noticeable compared to larger properties in the region. The restaurant focuses on fresh local ingredients and the fish dishes are consistently excellent. This is the kind of place that earns repeat visitors every year.
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Sublime Samana Hotel
The Sublime Samana sits directly on Playa Bonita and is one of the most polished boutique hotels on the peninsula. The ten suites are designed with high-end finishes, private terraces, and sea views across the board. Service is attentive without being intrusive, and the restaurant is genuinely one of the best on the coast. The adults-only policy keeps the atmosphere calm and intimate.
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Peninsula House
Set in the hills above Las Terrenas, Peninsula House is a boutique luxury villa hotel with only a handful of rooms and suites, each uniquely furnished with antiques and locally sourced decor. The property has a panoramic view of the coast and two pools, one of which is infinity-style. Breakfast is served on a terrace overlooking the jungle canopy. It is among the most distinctive and memorable stays available anywhere in the Dominican Republic.
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El Portillo Beach Resort
El Portillo sits on a long, relatively undeveloped stretch of beach on the north coast of the peninsula, about 15 kilometers from Las Terrenas. It is a full all-inclusive resort with a wide range of facilities including watersports, multiple pools, and organized kids activities. The beach in front of the resort is one of the longest and least crowded on the peninsula. For families wanting a proper resort experience with a genuine beach, this is the top option in the Samana region.
Check AvailabilityWhere to Stay in Samana
The neighborhood you pick matters more than the hotel.
Las Terrenas: the beating heart of the peninsula
Las Terrenas is where most of Samana's good hotels, restaurants, and beach access actually sit. Calle Principal and the streets around Plaza Taina are alive most nights with French expats, Dominican families, and travelers who figured out this is the move. You've got three distinct beaches within reach: Playa Las Terrenas right in town, Playa Bonita 10 minutes west, and Playa Coson 15 minutes further along.
The area around Pueblo de los Pescadores, the old fishing village strip, is where you eat. Think fresh seafood, cold Presidente beer, and plastic chairs on sand. Skip the more touristy restaurants on the main drag toward El Pueblo shopping center and walk down to the beachside spots instead. Prices are better and the fish is fresher.
Las Galeras: slow, raw, and worth the detour
Las Galeras doesn't try to impress you. It's a small village at the eastern tip of the peninsula with one main street, a few local colmados, and some of the most stunning beaches in the Dominican Republic within a short boat or hike. Playa Rincon is 20 minutes by lancha from the village dock and consistently ranked among the top beaches in the Caribbean. No vendors, no sunbeds, no noise.
The hotels here are intentionally small-scale. Hotel Acaya sits right on the beachfront and it's one of the best-rated properties on the whole peninsula. If you're coming from Las Terrenas, factor in the 1.5-hour drive through Samana town. It's worth it, but don't arrive after dark on an unfamiliar road.
When to book: Samana's seasons explained
February is the most chaotic month. Whale watching pulls in serious crowds to Santa Barbara de Samana and hotel prices spike across the board, especially in Las Terrenas and around the bay. Book anything in January-February at least 6-8 weeks out or you'll be paying premium rates for whatever's left. March eases up slightly while the whales are still around.
June through October is hurricane season. That doesn't mean it rains every day, but Tropical Storm Fred hit Samana hard in 2021 and some Augusts get rough. The upside is prices drop 30-40% and you'll often have Playa Coson to yourself. If you go in this window, pick a hotel with flexible cancellation. Most of our listed properties offer it.
Transport around Samana: what actually works
Mototaxis are the local solution for short trips inside Las Terrenas. A ride from Hotel Docia near the town center to Playa Las Terrenas is $1-2 and takes 5 minutes. For anything beyond town, renting a quad or scooter near Calle Francisco Camano de Castro runs $30-45/day and gives you full freedom. Cars rent from $50-70/day through local agencies on the main strip.
Guaguas (shared minivans) are the backbone of intercity movement and cost almost nothing. Samana town to Las Terrenas runs around $3-4 per person. They're not always on schedule and can get packed, but they're the real way locals travel. For airport transfers from El Catey (AZS), private shuttles to Las Terrenas cost $25-35 and take about 25 minutes.
Budget breakdown: what you actually spend in Samana
You can do Samana on $80-100/day total if you're being sensible. That means Hotel Docia or Hotel Cayena Beach for accommodation, eating at local spots near Pueblo de los Pescadores, and using mototaxis instead of taxis. Mid-range travelers spending $150-200/day get comfortable rooms at Alisei or Bahia Las Ballenas, proper restaurant meals, and a day trip or two to El Limon waterfall or Los Haitises.
Luxury in Samana, at Peninsula House or El Portillo Beach Resort, runs $300-500/day all-in including food and transfers. And honestly, for what you get compared to equivalent properties in St. Barts or Turks and Caicos, that's a strong deal. Don't apologize for spending properly here. The peninsula delivers when you invest in the right property.
Beaches: knowing which one to base yourself near
Not all Samana beaches are equal and the difference matters for picking your hotel. Playa Bonita and Playa Coson (both west of Las Terrenas town) are wider, calmer, and far less crowded than the in-town beach. Playa Las Terrenas itself is fine but gets busy near the Pueblo de los Pescadores strip. Playa El Portillo, up near the northern coast, is shallow and gentle, which is exactly why El Portillo Beach Resort chose it for families.
Playa Rincon in Las Galeras is the one that stops people cold when they first see it. It's a 2-kilometer arc of white sand with no development, no vendors, and water that's genuinely turquoise. Getting there means either a 20-minute boat ride from Las Galeras village dock or a rough 4x4 track. It doesn't connect to any hotel by walking. Worth every minute of the effort.
Samana's best neighborhoods
Las Terrenas is where most travelers should start. It has the best mix of beaches, restaurants, and hotels at every price point. Las Galeras is worth the extra 45-minute drive if you want something quieter and more genuine.
Las Terrenas 6 vetted hotels The most livable beach town on the peninsula. good food, multiple beaches, real infrastructure.
The most livable beach town on the peninsula. good food, multiple beaches, real infrastructure.
Las Terrenas is the default base for most Samana visitors and there's a solid reason for that. You've got a functioning town with supermarkets, pharmacies, a hospital, ATMs, and a restaurant scene that punches above its weight thanks to a large French and Italian expat community. Calle Principal and the Pueblo de los Pescadores strip both offer genuine nightlife options without the resort-bubble feeling.
The hotel spread here is wider than anywhere else on the peninsula. Hotel Docia in the town center starts at $55/night and sits a 10-minute walk from Playa Las Terrenas. Sublime Samana and Hotel Cayena Beach are on Playa Bonita, 10 minutes west by mototaxi. Peninsula House sits up in Las Canas Hills with views that justify the $280-420/night entirely.
Avoid the budget guesthouses along the main road toward El Limon junction. They're cheap for a reason, and not in a good way. Stick to the beach-adjacent neighborhoods or the town center proper and you'll be fine.
Las Galeras 2 vetted hotels Raw, quiet, and home to two of the peninsula's best hotels.
Raw, quiet, and home to two of the peninsula's best hotels.
Las Galeras sits at the far eastern tip of the peninsula and the drive alone tells you something. The road narrows, the jungle closes in, and by the time you arrive in the small village you feel like you've earned it. There's one main street with a few local restaurants and colmados, no nightlife to speak of, and absolutely no chain anything.
Hotel Acaya is beachfront and rated the highest of any property we vetted at $160-210/night. Bahia Las Ballenas is in the village center at $120-180/night and earns its reputation through genuinely good hospitality. Both are small operations run by people who actually care. That's rarer than it sounds.
Access to Playa Rincon from here is by lancha from the dock near the main beach, about $15-20 round trip for the boat. Don't try to drive it unless you have a serious 4x4. And bring cash since ATMs in Las Galeras are unreliable and card machines are hit or miss at smaller spots.
Santa Barbara de Samana 1 vetted hotel The bay town for whale watching season. Gran Bahia Principe Cayacoa owns this category.
The bay town for whale watching season. Gran Bahia Principe Cayacoa owns this category.
Santa Barbara de Samana is the administrative capital of the province and the main hub for whale watching tours that run January through March. The Malecon waterfront is pleasant enough and the views across Samana Bay toward Cayo Levantado are genuinely beautiful. But as a hotel base, only one property stands out.
Gran Bahia Principe Cayacoa sits on the hillside above the bay with pool terraces that look directly over the water. At $150-220/night it's one of the better-priced large resort experiences on the peninsula. The location matters most in whale season: the whale watching dock is about 15 minutes by taxi from the resort.
The town center hotels near the ferry terminal and the market area are not worth your time. Most are priced too high for the quality, there's no beach in town proper, and the streets around Calle Santa Barbara get loud late. The Cayacoa is the reason to be here.
El Portillo 1 vetted hotel One resort, one beach, one great reason to bring the kids.
One resort, one beach, one great reason to bring the kids.
El Portillo is not a town in any real sense. It's a stretch of northern coastline about 20 minutes east of Las Terrenas by car, anchored almost entirely by El Portillo Beach Resort. Playa El Portillo is calm, shallow, and long, which is why this stretch works so well for families with young children. The water doesn't get deep fast.
El Portillo Beach Resort runs $310-480/night on an all-inclusive basis. That sounds steep until you factor in three meals, drinks, activities, and the fact that Playa El Portillo is genuinely one of the better family beaches in the Dominican Republic. The El Limon waterfall access road is about 15 minutes south by car, making day trips from the resort very manageable.
If you're not staying at the resort, there's not much reason to be in El Portillo. It's resort-or-nothing out here. But for what it does, it does it well.
Best Areas by Vibe
Tell us how you travel and we'll point you to the right part of Samana.
Romantic
Playa Bonita in Las Terrenas is the call. Sublime Samana sits directly above it and Peninsula House in Las Canas Hills has 10 rooms and views that make dinners feel like a film set.
Culture
Santa Barbara de Samana's Malecon and the area around Cayo Levantado connect you to Afro-Dominican history that most tourists completely skip. The whale watching season in January-March adds a natural spectacle that's genuinely unforgettable.
Family
El Portillo Beach Resort on Playa El Portillo is built for it. Shallow water, all-inclusive meals, and the El Limon waterfall 15 minutes away by car keep everyone happy for a full week.
Budget
Las Terrenas town center is where you stretch your money furthest. Hotel Docia starts at $55/night, mototaxis run $1-2 per trip, and the local spots around Pueblo de los Pescadores feed you well for $8-12 a meal.
Beach
Las Galeras is the answer, specifically the boat ride to Playa Rincon, a 2-kilometer strip of white sand with zero development and water that earns every cliché thrown at it. Hotel Acaya gets you closest to the launch point.
Foodie
Pueblo de los Pescadores in Las Terrenas is the real dining hub, fresh seafood cooked on the beach by people who caught it that morning. The French expat community here has also quietly produced a handful of proper European-standard restaurants within a few blocks.
Location Quality
Is the neighborhood walkable? Are restaurants, shops, and attractions within 10 minutes on foot? How does it feel after dark? We evaluate safety, public transport access, and whether the area has genuine local character or just tourist traps. A hotel in the wrong neighborhood ruins a trip. That's why location carries the most weight.
Value for Money
We compare what you pay against what you get. A €150 hotel with a great location, clean rooms, and helpful staff can outscore a €500 hotel with fancy amenities in a bad area. We factor in seasonal pricing, cancellation policies, and hidden costs like tourist tax and breakfast surcharges. The goal is finding the best ratio, not the lowest price.
Guest Experience
We analyze thousands of verified guest reviews across multiple platforms, looking for patterns rather than individual complaints. Consistent praise for cleanliness, staff, and room quality counts. We also assess the intangibles: does the hotel have character? Would you recommend it to a friend? A soul-less chain hotel with perfect facilities still loses to a well-run boutique with personality.
When to Visit Samana
When to visit Samana and what to pay.
Peak Season (Jan-Feb)
January and February are driven almost entirely by whale watching. Humpbacks fill Samana Bay and tours depart from the Malecon dock in Santa Barbara de Samana daily. Hotels across Las Terrenas and the bay area book out weeks in advance, and prices at properties like Gran Bahia Principe Cayacoa hit their annual ceiling. If whale watching is your reason for coming, plan this 6-8 weeks ahead and budget $150-420/night depending on where you stay.
Sweet Spot (Mar-May)
This is the window we recommend most consistently. Whale season winds down in March but you can still catch late stragglers through early April. Temperatures sit comfortably at 27-30°C and the beaches are at their cleanest after the dry season. Prices drop 15-25% from February peaks, which puts mid-range properties like Alisei Hotel or Bahia Las Ballenas into genuinely strong value territory at $120-175/night.
Rainy Season (Jun-Oct)
This is hurricane season and Samana sits in the path. It doesn't rain every day, but August and September can bring serious weather, and Tropical Storm Fred caused real damage in 2021. Prices drop 30-40% across the board, so Hotel Cayena Beach goes for $75-90/night and Peninsula House becomes negotiable. Only book this window with fully refundable rates and travel insurance.
High Season (Nov-Dec)
November and December bring dry weather, manageable crowds, and a peninsula that feels alive without feeling overwhelmed. Temperatures drop slightly to 25-28°C, which makes hiking to El Limon waterfall and exploring Los Haitises National Park genuinely comfortable. Christmas week drives prices back up sharply, especially at El Portillo Beach Resort and Peninsula House, so book December 22-31 early or pay for it.
Booking Tips for Samana
Insider tips for booking hotels in Samana.
Book whale season at least 6 weeks out
January and February fill fast across the whole peninsula, not just in Santa Barbara de Samana. The whale watching tours from the Malecon dock are booked separately from hotels and they sell out too. Lock in accommodation and a tour together at least 6 weeks ahead. Gran Bahia Principe Cayacoa is closest to the bay and books first.
Bring cash. more than you think
ATMs in Las Galeras are unreliable and regularly out of service. Even in Las Terrenas, machines on Calle Principal run dry on busy weekends. Withdraw at the Banco Popular or BanReservas branches in Santa Barbara de Samana before heading east. Card machines work at bigger hotels but not at most local restaurants, mototaxis, or lancha operators.
Don't trust 'beachfront' claims without checking the map
Samana has a real problem with hotels marketing themselves as beachfront when they're 10-20 minutes walk from the water. Before booking, check the actual GPS pin against the beach. Playa Bonita and Playa Coson are the worst offenders for this. Properties we list have been location-verified, but general booking sites let hotels self-describe.
Use mototaxis inside Las Terrenas, not taxis
Taxis in Las Terrenas charge $8-15 for trips that a mototaxi covers in 2 minutes for $1-2. The mototaxi stand near the Pueblo de los Pescadores entrance is the main hub. They're informal but reliable for anything within town. For the 10-minute run to Playa Bonita or Playa Coson, they're how locals move.
Pick your base beach before booking your hotel
Playa Las Terrenas is convenient but busy. Playa Bonita is prettier and calmer. Playa Coson is the widest and most dramatic but 15 minutes from town services. Las Galeras beach is small, with Playa Rincon requiring a separate boat trip. Decide which beach matches your trip first, then pick the hotel closest to it. Don't do it the other way around.
El Limon waterfall is best done early morning
The trail to El Limon waterfall from the village of El Limon, accessed off the main Samana-Las Terrenas road, takes 45-60 minutes on horseback or foot. By 11am tour groups from Las Terrenas arrive in force. Go at 8am and you'll have it nearly to yourself. Entry costs $5-10 and guides are available at the trailhead for $15-20. Worth every peso.
Hotels in Samana — FAQ
Everything you need to know before booking hotels in Samana.
Which area of Samana is best for first-time visitors?
Las Terrenas is the right call. It has three beaches within walking distance, Calle Principal runs through a proper town with restaurants and supermarkets, and you're not trapped on a resort. Most of our picks there range from $55-190/night, so there's real choice across budgets.
How far is Samana from Santo Domingo and how do I get there?
It's roughly 3 hours from Santo Domingo by car or bus. Caribe Tours runs daily departures from Av. 27 de Febrero in the capital for around $10-12 one-way. If you're flying in, El Catey International Airport (AZS) is 25 minutes from Las Terrenas, which is the smarter option for most travelers.
When is whale watching season in Samana?
Humpback whales arrive in Samana Bay from mid-January through March. Peak activity is February, when thousands of whales gather near Banco de la Plata. Book your whale watching tour from the dock near the Malecon in Santa Barbara de Samana. Tours run $50-75 per person and slots fill up weeks ahead in February.
What's the cheapest decent hotel in Samana?
Hotel Docia in Las Terrenas town center starts at $55/night and it's genuinely solid for the price. It's walking distance from Calle Francisco Camano de Castro and a short mototaxi ride to Playa Las Terrenas. Don't expect a pool view, but the rooms are clean and the location keeps you close to everything.
Is Las Galeras worth the trip or too remote?
It depends what you want. Las Galeras is 45 minutes east of Santa Barbara de Samana along a winding coastal road, and that remoteness is exactly the point. Playa Rincon, a 20-minute boat ride from the village, is one of the best beaches in the Caribbean. Hotel Acaya and Bahia Las Ballenas are both there and both excellent.
Are Samana hotels good value compared to other Caribbean islands?
Yes, noticeably so. Comparable quality in Barbados or St. Lucia would run 40-60% more. In Samana, a solid beachfront room runs $110-180/night at places like Alisei Hotel or Hotel Residence Playa Colibri. Luxury here, like Peninsula House at $280-420/night, would cost double in most other Caribbean destinations.
What areas of Samana should I avoid?
Skip the hotels clustered around the main ferry terminal in Santa Barbara de Samana itself. The town has charm but most hotels there are overpriced for what they deliver, and you're not near any good beach. The road between Samana town and Las Terrenas has a stretch of roadside guesthouses that look cheap online but feel unsafe and noisy at night.
Do I need a car to get around Samana?
Not necessarily, but it helps a lot. Mototaxis within Las Terrenas run $1-3 per ride, and guaguas (shared minivans) connect the main towns for under $5. But Playa Coson, Playa El Portillo, and Las Galeras are harder to reach without wheels. Renting a scooter in Las Terrenas runs about $30-40/day and opens up the whole peninsula.
Which Samana hotel is best for couples and honeymoons?
Sublime Samana Hotel on Playa Bonita is the top pick. It's adult-focused, beautifully designed, and perched above one of the prettiest stretches of sand on the peninsula. Peninsula House in Las Canas Hills is the other serious option, with only 10 rooms and a level of privacy that's hard to beat at $280-420/night.
Is Samana good for families with kids?
El Portillo Beach Resort on Playa El Portillo is specifically built for it. The beach there is calm and shallow, the all-inclusive setup means no stressing over meals, and the resort is 10 minutes from El Limon waterfall access roads. For families who want more flexibility, Hotel Cayena Beach on Playa Bonita works well at $75-110/night.
What's the best time of year to visit Samana for good weather and lower prices?
March through May is the sweet spot. Whale season is wrapping up, rain hasn't started in earnest, temperatures sit around 27-30°C, and hotel prices drop 15-25% from February peaks. You'll get Playa Rincon nearly to yourself by April. June brings more humidity and the start of Atlantic hurricane season, so don't push it past May.
How do I get from Las Terrenas to Las Galeras?
There's no direct road. You go back through Santa Barbara de Samana, then east. Total drive is about 1.5 hours. A taxi from Las Terrenas to Las Galeras runs $50-70. Some travelers take the guagua to Samana town for $3-4 and catch a second one to Las Galeras for another $3. Budget the time though as connections aren't always fast.