|
Caribbean / Dominican Republic
E-newsletter
Receive updates of new hotels, travel specials and last minute deals for Dominican Republic.
|
|
Maps of The Caribbean.
Click to open.
|
|
Site Information:
Casa Ondina
Casa Ondina is a breezy house tucked into the hillside of Samana, with a wonderful view across the bay and its islands to the ocean beyond. The house has louvered doors the length of its façade opening out to a generous private terrace raised 10’ above the road, a perfect place for an afternoon in the shade looking over the bay.
|
More Info:
It is an excellent place for the independent visitor, who wants to stay in a small town rather than a gated tourist enclave. The beach of Puerto Escondida is 5 minutes walk away, and is perfect for a morning swim. Local restaurants, market, car and motorbike hire, internet center, bank with ATM, bus stop and port are all within 10 minutes walk or motoconcho ride (motorbike taxis – also available with wagons). Transport to beautiful deserted beaches, waterfalls in the hills, islands, trips to national parks and whale watching trips are all easily arranged from the Malecon or port of Samana.
The house was designed by architects specialising in sustainable architecture responsive to the local climate – it catches the breezes coming up the hill from the bay and funnels them through the house to the open sided skylight at the back of the house. In its second phase it will have a planted green roof to help keep the concrete roof cool, and a solar hot water system. The morning sun streaks through the louvers into the house, but by afternoon the terrace becomes shaded by the house and the hillside.
Getting there:
The house is located on the Samana Bay in Santa Barbara de Samaná – (also known simply as 'Samana'). This is a beautiful region with luxuriant vegetation and is free from mass tourism. There are many beautiful beaches on both coasts of the peninsular, and there is lush forest on the interior with streams and waterfalls.
International flights come into the capital, Santo Domingo (4 hrs drive away), Puerta Plata (3 hrs away) or Santiago (2.5 hrs away). Taxi to Samana can be arranged from all these locations.
Air conditioned coach:
Caribe Tours Goes from Santo Domingo and Puerta Plata to Samana.
Leaves from Santo Domingo at 7 –8.30 – 10 – 1.30 – 2.30 – 4 and takes 4.5 hours, including a stop for food and bathrooms.
Leaves from Puerta Plata at 7am and takes 3 hours.
Costs: ±150 pesos each way (±USD 6).(Confirm costs and times with Metro buses or Caribe tours –www.caribetours.com.de or 221 4422)
For the more adventurous tourist there are also small local buses ‘guaguas’ from all around the island.
Taxi:
By car or mini-bus can be arranged from the airports or towns to Samana (from Puerto Plata 2.5 hours, from Santo Domingo 3.5 - 4 hours). This kind of transfer takes more time than a little airplane, but it will give you a good first impression of the island. Many minibuses are airconditioned and take up to 6 people.
Costs: Around USD 100-150 (prices fluctuate). Taxis can be reserved online from www.dominicantaxi.com
Rental car:
You can rent a car at the airport and drive to Samana. We recommend, that you make the reservation before you leave home (Hertz or AVIS) because cars booked from home are usually cheaper and in better condition.
Small aircraft charter planes:
to Arroyo Barril or El Portillo (the flight takes 30 minutes), then a taxi to Samana (15 or 30 minutes). Price of flights are approximately 300-400 USD for 1-3 people. Contact the airline for more information – www.sapair.com or Caribair in Sto. Dgo. call 809-542-6688 fax 567-7033
Formalities to enter the Dominican Republic:
To enter the Dominican Republic for up to 90 days you need a passport which is valid at least 6 months later than departure date and also a valid return ticket. Please check all the formalities with you travel agency.
Nearby Attractions:
Beaches:
Breathtakingly beautiful and deserted beaches such as Playa Rincon are within easy access by car or by boat. Playa Rincon has1.5 miles of fine white sand with crystal blue water and is surrounded on three sides by vegetation-covered mountains. Conde Nast Travel Magazine has ranked this beach as the 2nd best beach in the world. Playa Rincon also has a beautifully clean freshwater stream at the lefthand end of the beach (looking towards the water) which is perfect for a refreshing dip before the trip home.
Playa Anacaona (or Las Flechas) is a 15 minute motoconcho ride away, and is a small sheltered beach overlooking the Caya Levantado with a modest outdoor bar and restaurant with excellent food. On Friday nights there is candlelit dining on the beach and dancing to local music on the terrace. This draws a mixed crowd from the staff and visitors at the hotel up the road to the local residents.
Playa del Valle also has freshwater streams running into it and is reached by dirt road turning off to the left from the road to Las Galeras.
Las Galeras is at the end of the road east from Samana, reached by bus, taxi or motoconcho and is a small community with hostels, beach and shacks cooking fresh fish, lobster, octopus and serving delicious pina colada’s served in the pineapple. The Casa Marina Samana Beach Resort – 250m along the beach road to the right when you reach Las Galeras – has a sheltered beach and also a Dive center and horse back riding center. (None of these beaches have a jetski in earshot)
Las Terrenas is a short bus ride or taxi ride across the peninsular and has beautiful calm beaches, and is a bustling tourist town with many restaurants right on the beach. From here jetskis can be rented to go to other local beaches, and many people do parasurfing.
Caya Levantado
The beaches at the island Caya Levantado (used for the original Bacardi ad) are also easily reached by boat from Samana.
El Limon waterfall can be reached after a four kilometer walk or ride by horse through the mountainous tropical forest. The waterfall is about 300 meters above sea level and has a 40 meter drop that ends in a very deep but swimable pool of crystal clear waters.
Rock climbing
Rock climbing enthusiasts should look into the Playa Fronton excursions. Playa Fronton is located at the end tip of Las Galeras. It is a spectacular beach, even if you are not into climbing.
Parque Nacional los Haitises
Boat trips from Samana can be taken to this national park with its scores of tiny jungly islands and thick mangrove forests. The park contains scores of lush hills that jut out of the ocean and make for excellent exploration by boat. The park receives a tremendous amount of rainfall which encourages subtropical humid forest plants such as bamboo, ferns and bromelids to thive on the knolls and there are many local birds including the Hispaniolan parakeet.
Whale Watching
Whale watching trips to watch the Humpback whales are available from January to March in Dominican republic, Samana bay is one of 2 places in domincan republic where 80% of the world’s humpback whales choose to mate and bear young. Whale watching tours take place and allow observation of whales swimming, jumping and breaching. The best tours are run by Canadian marine biologist Kim Beddall’s Victoria Marine, which has offices on the Malecon (Samana’s main street by the bay). Kim has also been instrumental in enforcing boat to whale distance and other regulations to preserve the whale population.
Restaurants
Local food can be had at the ‘pica pollo’ stands which sell a plate of rice and beans or plantains with beef stew/ chicken/ crab / fish.
Local restaurants include La Hacienda and La Mata Rosada (both run by french expats who have lived in Samana for many years) with delicious Dominican and European cuisine. Las Flechas and Don Camillos serve good Dominican food, such as fish with coconut sauce and beef steak with peppers. Italian pizza can be had from Morris’s or the Italian place next door. Delicious crepes can be had at the Café de Paris. All these places serve fresh juices and milkshakes.
Amenities:
Accomodations
• 2 bedrooms with double beds (1 queen, 1 full) mosquito nets, ceiling fans, closet, lamps and bedside table.
• Large living room with dining area and kitchen off it, also with ceiling fan
• Fully equipped kitchen (maid service available as extra)
• Bathroom with shower
• Utility closet with washing machine
• Hot and cold water
• Large stone terrace
Dominican Republic Message Board Posts: View All Messages
| Planning our first trip?some advise please? | (7 replies Hot Topic!) |
|
My girlfirend and I already booked out first trip to the DR. We picked the Secrets Resort (6 star, couples only) after talking with several friends ...
|
| punta cana 5 apple square deal | (2 replies) |
|
I tried the 5 apple square deal to La Romana - it was well worth the money and a fabulous trip overall! I would do it again! Great food, top shelf ...
|
| Sun village / ocean world | (2 replies) |
|
I am travelling to Sun village resort and spa next year and am after some advice on ocean world. I have heard rumours that you can get free tickets ...
|
| Seeking 5star family vacation spot in DR | (1 reply) |
|
We just came back from Costamber, PP. Place name was Reina Del Mar. RCI Resort # is 6936. If you want all inclusive & take all the tours - will ...
|
| Exotic Vacations | (4 replies) |
|
I don't even think it is a resort, it looks to me like a regular porn site (well soft porn), and if it is a resort it must be one of those swingers ...
|
Dominican Republic Hotel Reviews: View All Reviews
| Tradewinds condo rental Sosua - Review (Dominican Republic) |  4 Stars |
|
Nice place at a great price: Stayed at Tradewinds in Feb 2003, it was very comfortable, clean and well equipped, cable TV with local and international channels,a CD and MP3 ...
|
| El Colibri Resort - Review (Dominican Republic) |  5 Stars |
|
Truly i have had the most perfect vacation of my life here: This hotel is the most perfect place i have ever vised during my vacations. The staf is really nice and work very hard. Monique and Steven are doing ...
|
| SuperClubs - Breezes Punta Cana - Review (Dominican Republic) | 4 Stars |
|
fabulous vacation: We stayed at the resort for 7 nights,and were married on the 3rd day. I thought the resort was beautiful, clean, and extremely friendly. My room ...
|
| Occidental Grand Punta Cana - Review (Dominican Republic) |  2 Stars |
|
Horrible!!!!: First off it all started at the service desk. They only have 2 people working and with flights comming in all the time there was a line. Once I got ...
|
| Villas of Olas de Oro - Review (Dominican Republic) | 5 Stars |
|
Wonderful: We just returned from an 8-day stay at Olas de Oro. Our extended family of 14 occupied villas 24 and 20. Daily grounds keeping, housekeeping and ...
|
Caribbean Travel Articles: (View All Articles)
Activities - Things to do
 Adventures In Tobago - Trinidad and Tobago
Tobago's pace of life is unhurried. One can bask in the sunshine on a deserted beach or make one's way through the small hilly town of Scarborough - Tobago's capital. Tranquil days turn into balmy nights with spectacular displays from the sun as it sets. The island of Tobago and the tiny satellite islands dotted around it are a nature-lover's dream.
Food and Dining
Grenada's National Dish - Oiled Down - Grenada
Grenada's national dish is called "oil-down". It's a simple, tasty and robust dish, which is very popular in local restaurants.
Main/General
THE WEST INDIES - About the Caribbean - Caribbean
The West Indies is an archipelago, or group of islands, that extends from the waters off south western Florida to the coast of Venezuela in South America - The Bahamas to Trinidad and Tobago.
Places to Go
Caribbean National Parks Make Incredible Vacation Stops - Caribbean
There is so much to do at the National Parks found throughout the islands of the Caribbean. Want to spend an afternoon underwater, swimming with the fish? What about a morning watching beautiful tropical birds awaken?
Scuba Diving
Scuba Diving in St. Lucia - St. Lucia
St Lucia is a diving paradise which offers divers wrecks, shallow reefs and a variety of marine life including turtles, nurse sharks, seahorses, angel fish, and golden spotted eels, to name only a few.
Travel & Accommodations
Is An All Inclusive Resort Right For You? - Caribbean
All-inclusive resorts can really help vacationers get the most out of their travel dollars. Today, over 400 hotels in the Caribbean and Mexico are either all-inclusive resorts or offer all inclusive packages.
Travel Tips
All-Inclusive Fun - Caribbean
Are you looking for a vacation not just from your routine but from your wallet as well? Then an all-inclusive resort might be just the ticket. As the name suggests, all-inclusive means that all activities, meals, drinks, transfers, and tips are included i
Weddings, Honeymoons & Romantic Travel
Moon--WeddingMoon, That Is--Over the Bahamas - Bahamas
All inclusive Weddings at the Sandals Royal Bahamian. The WeddingMoon package makes choices easier for brides and grooms as well.
Dominican Republic Attractions: (All Attractions)
Sosua Beach - Sosua
Attraction Type: Beach
This often crowded beach features white sand and turquoise waters.
Adventure Buggy Tour - sosua
Attraction Type: General Attraction
Brandnew excursion with vw buggy's in Sosua.
Cabarete Beach - Puerto Plata
Attraction Type: Beach
Although most known for windsurfing, this beach and its surrounding area play host to a variety of outdoor activities.
Caribbean Travel Tip
Driving in the Caribbean
If you plan to rent a car, be aware that most jurisdictions of the Caribbean drive on the left. The only places where you drive on the right are Aruba, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Guadeloupe, Haiti, Martinique, and the Netherlands Antilles. In other places, if you are not used to driving on the left, proceed slowly and with utmost caution. You may wish to ride as a passenger for a while before trying to drive yourself.
Driving conditions and local driving patterns are different from the U.S. Many roads are narrow or winding, signs may not be in English, and in some places, domestic animals roam freely. Defensive driving is a must.
View All Tips |
Related Searches:
Dominican Republic Hotels
| Dominican Republic Resorts
| Dominican Republic All Inclusive
| Dominican Republic Villas
| Dominican Republic Condos
| Dominican Republic Vacations
| Dominican Republic Scuba Diving
| Dominican Republic Vacation
| Dominican Republic Luxury Condos
| Dominican Republic Luxury Resort
| Dominican Republic Vacation Rental
| Dominican Republic Luxury Villa
| Dominican Republic All Inclusives
| Dominican Republic Luxury Villas
| Dominican Republic Dive Resorts
| Dominican Republic Diving
| Dominican Republic Snorkeling
| Dominican Republic Sailing
| Dominican Republic Vacation Rentals
| Dominican Republic
| Dominican Republic Villa Rentals
| Dominican Republic Homes
| Caribbean Hotels
| Caribbean Resorts
| Caribbean Condos
| Caribbean Villas
| Casa Ondina
| Dominican Republic
Search CaribbeanLinks.com:
Casa Ondina
| Dominican Republic Hotels
| Dominican Republic Resorts
| Dominican Republic All Inclusive
| Dominican Republic Villas
| Dominican Republic Condos
| Dominican Republic Vacations
| Dominican Republic Scuba Diving
| Dominican Republic Vacation
| Dominican Republic Luxury Condos
| Dominican Republic Luxury Resort
| Dominican Republic Vacation Rental
|
Caribbean Home
Expedia.com Hotels: