Las Terrenas. Once a sleepy, little fishing village on the North Coast of the Samana Peninsula, today's Las Terrenas is a prime vacation destination for visitors to the Dominican Republic.
With miles of undeveloped white-sandy beaches and protected inshore waters, this city of over 12,000 people is a bustling center of activity. And although fishing is still an important part of local life, the allure of this tropical paradise has fueled its growth to become an important part of the world's rapidly growing, recreational market.

  The balmy climate with it's ever-present trade winds and the warm temperature of the sub-tropical Atlantic Ocean combine to provide this part of the island with year-round, delightful weather with only a few degrees difference in temperature between winter and summer. Even during those infrequent winter days when a "Northeaster" blows in from the North American continent, a light windbreaker is all the extra clothing needed. Annual rainfall is moderate with no perceptible "rainy season" usually found in other tropical locations.
The island's majestic terrain was described by Christopher Columbus as "the most beautiful land in the world," and today the Samana Peninsula is acknowledged as the jewel in the crown of the Dominican Republic.

 Beginning in the late 1970's, Europeans began settling in the area and Las Terrenas slowly began its' evolution to the town we know today with dozens of quaint hotels, restaurants with International menus, bars, shops, Internet cafes, large supermarkets and supporting businesses of all kinds. The European segment of the population has grown to over 2,000 people and as they have flourished so has tourism. And although the official language is Spanish, it is not uncommon to hear English, French, German, Italian and even Dutch being spoken.

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