Las Galeras Getting there & around

Getting there & around

Gua-guas head to Samaná (US$2, 45 minutes, every 15 minutes from 7am to 5pm) from the beach end of Calle Principal, but also cruise slowly out of town picking up passengers. There’s also a daily 5:30am bus with service to Santo Domingo (US$8, six hours). Locals refer to it as the ‘Bluebird Express, ’ though it’s neither blue nor express. To guarantee a seat on this cramped air-con minivan, wait at the main crossroads in town in the pre-dawn hours. It’s best not to sit in the front row unless you prefer a stranger on your lap; the aisle is filled with passengers in makeshift seats for most of the ride.

You can pretty much walk everywhere in Las Galeras proper. For outlying areas, a motoconcho ride costs around US$0.50 to US$1 – consider arranging with the driver to pick you up if you know when you’ll be returning.

Taxis (829-380-0775) are available as well. Some sample fares are Aeropuerto Catey (US$85), Las Terrenas (US$85), Samaná (US$30) and Santo Domingo (US$200). You may be able to negotiate cheaper fares, especially to Samaná.

Renting a car is an excellent way to explore the peninsula on your own. Prices are generally around US$85 per day. Try RP Rent-A-Car (809-538-0249; Calle Principal; 8am-7pm Mon-Sat, 8am-1pm Sun),Caribe Fun Rentals (809-912-2440; 9am-1pm & 3-6:30pm Mon-Sat, 9am-noon Sun) or Xamaná Rent Moto (809-538-0208; motorcycles per day US$25; 9am-noon & 3-6pm Mon-Fri, 9am-noon Sat & Sun). The latter two are located 50m west of the intersection; Xamaná Rent Moto also rents motorcycles.

You can rent a mountain bike at Piccola Italia (809-325-4018; Calle Principal; per day US$12.50; 8am-noon & 3-7pm Mon-Sat), a shop near the entrance to town. Most bicycles are 21-speed and in good condition.