10 Best Las Terrenas Beaches (Pictures & Maps)

Las Terrenas beaches are without a doubt some of the most beautiful in the world.

Surrounded by 1288 km of coastline, the Dominican Republic has almost too many white sandy beaches to name.

We explored Las Terrenas… and a little bit of Limon, to find Samana’s best beaches.

So, today we are going to share the 10 amazing Las Terrenas beaches, pictures, and locations so you can experience some of the best coastlines in the country.

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10 Best Las Terrenas Beaches

Below are our 10 favorite Las Terrenas beaches, including location and how to get there, things to do, and more.

1. Playa Bonita

A vacation hotspot with trendy beach clubs, amazing swell, and towering palm trees, Playa Bonita is Las Terrenas’ star attraction.

How To Get There

Travel out of town, west down the 133

Turn right down Mariano Vanderhorst (Bonita turn off)
Follow the windy road, there will be signs directing you to Bonita Beach.
Once you come to the end of the road you will see a path and a right-hand turn over a speed bump.

You can access the beach here, or turn right and enter through El Mosquito Boutique Hotel.

Things To Do

The beautiful thing about Playa Bonita is that you can walk down a paved path from end to end, and get a glimpse of all the beach clubs, villas, and surf schools.

Many of those who travel this road are venturing out for the day to soak up the sun on the idyllic coastline; one of the highlights being El Mosquito Boutique Hotel. A beach club and hotel giving quintessential Caribbean vacation vibes.

The swell at Bonita is one of its main attractions drawing surfers from around Samana. Here you will find many surf schools.There is also an open-air cinema SO Beach Club that plays films on Thursday and Sunday.

2. Playa Ballenas

A favorite to many Playa Ballenas is the most family-friendly stretch of beach in Las Terrenas.

How To Get There

Head to Puerto Plaza
Continue driving along the coastal road 5 minutes

Drive until you see a big boat on the shore (Las Cayennas).
Pick a spot from here onwards

Things To Do

Las Terrenas gives those peaceful vacation island life vibes that make you never want to leave. There are so many places to swim here.

The water is calmer, not to mention the excellent bars and restaurants that sit on the beach, meaning you don’t have to go anywhere during those long beach days.

For us personally, the long stretch of beach just outside Eden Beach Club was a personal favorite for us. The are longer stretches of sand here which is great for the kids to burn off extra energy, while Eden serves some great food and drink at a reasonable price.

3. Playa Punta Popy

Northeast of downtown Las Terrenas is the beautiful Playa Punta Popy, the town’s most accessible beach.

Like many of the beaches that line the coast of Las Terrenas the white sand and glassy waters present a photo opportunity from nearly every angle.

How To Get There

Head toward Cementerio de Las Terrenas
Turn right and continue driving until you reach the Las Terrenas sign

Things To Do

The tip of Popy offers a wide open space to rent a beach bed, drink fresh coconuts, and even stop in at one of the many restaurants that line the picturesque strip.

This is also the location of the famous Las Terrenas sign just across from Rafaels Pizza. There is also plenty of parking to the right of the sign, which gives you easy access to the beach.

It should be noted that the ocean here has a little more swell than the neighboring Playa Ballenas, so if you are venturing out with kids you best test the waters.

4. Playa Ermintano

Regarded as one of Samana’s best beaches it is Playa Ermitano. Tucked away on the north coast of Samana just outside El Limon.

A highlight for many, this isolated set of beaches is only accessible by boat or by hiking across the dense, rocky paths that line the coast.

My biggest hike to date, starting at Playa Moron, and across the Playa del la Canas before heading up the cliffs over to Ermitano.

How To Get There

Starting at El Limon head down the main road and continue left toward Playa Moron.

There will be a turn-off to Playa Moron, continuing straight toward toward Agua Sabrosa.
This will take you to Playa las Canas.
As you approach the beach you will see a small dirt road to the right that looks like it goes upward.

Park your vehicle at the beach and walk up this road.
Walk to the end and there will be a rocky path along the side of the cliff and into the hills.
Follow this along around the coast until you reach Playa Ermitano.

Note: Sounds tough? Don’t stress, you can organize access to Ermitano via boat for DOP 3000.

Things To Do

Playa Ermitano is about as isolated as it gets, but that doesn’t stop people from visiting. When we arrived many boats were arriving to drop off tourists, with one in particular transporting around 50 people for a birthday party, complete with food, drinks, and music.

5. Playa Kleine Lanza

Playa Kleine Lanza may just be my favorite beach on this list. Far from the biggest, this short stretch of sand sits perfectly below the towering palm trees.

We stumbled onto this amazing beach while hiking from Playa El Moron to Playa Ermitano. The best part is that while it is secluded it only takes around 20 minutes to walk there over the hill.

How To Get There

Starting at El Limon, continue driving through town and take the left turn toward Playa Moron.
Head to the beach entrance and park at the beach.

Park outside Cap El Limon (restaurant).
Continue walking up the road over the hill and down the other side.
As you go down the hill the road will bend to the left.

At the bend look to the right for a beaten path through the bushes. (look carefully).
Follow the path until you reach Playa Kleine Lanza.

Note: If you are having trouble finding the path for help. If you have chosen the right path it will become more defined as you continue walking before opening up into a real track.

Things To Do

This is just a short walk which makes it a great little adventure to take the family on to get away and have your private beach.

A great spot to take lunch, and enjoy the peace as you likely won’t see many people.

Whether it was the sunrise, the perfect weather, or just the feeling of being the only people around for miles, walking out to this view (pictured above), will be one of our best memories in the Dominican Republic.

6. Playa El Portillo

When many regular visitors think of their Las Terrenas Beaches Playa El Portillo comes to mind.

Just 5-10 minutes east of downtown Las Terrenas this stunning sandy shoreline is some of the cleanest and well-maintained beaches in the entire country.

How To Get There

Starting at Cementerio de Las Terrenas (cemetery) turn left toward Playa Punta Popy.
Continue driving down and drive east along C. 27 de Febrero past Punta Popy.

Continue to drive until you reach Porto by Mosquito.

Things To Do

One of the biggest perks of El Portillo is that it offers a secluded beach vibe without a lengthy trip.

Plenty of people visit here to get away from the busyness of Punta Popy, Playa Ballenas, or Playa Bonita.Here you can lounge on the beanbags of Mosquito Beach Bar or Porto by Mosquito, have lunch, or just simply relax.

7. Playa El Anclon

Playa El Anclon is one of Las Terrenas’ best-kept secrets. Located just 20 minutes (8 km) east, nestled away behind the thick forest and down a rough road is one of the best Las Terrenas beaches.

How To Get There

Starting at Cementerio de Las Terrenas (cemetery) turn left toward Playa Punta Popy.
Continue driving down and drive east along C. 27 de Febrero past Punta Popy for approximately 20 minutes until you pass El Portillo (Hotel).

As you pass El Portillo slow down and take the left turn down the dirt road with the ‘Villa Manglar’ sign.
Drive 50 meters and keep left past the giant white beach mansion.
Continue driving past the car park and follow the dirt road to the right.

Keep driving until you hit another small car park.

Things To Do

Like many of the secluded beaches on this list, the beauty of your visit is simply being away from the busyness of Las Terrenas.

There is something truly special about this place. Maybe it’s the isolated location, the perfectly cut grass, or the amazing villas that overlook the white sandy beach. Either way, once you get here you won’t want to leave.

8. Playa Coson

Playa Coson, Las Terrenas — *Experience the wide open spaces of Playa Coson*

Just outside Las Terrenas, west of Playa Bonito is the stunning Playa Coson.

This continuing stretch of coastline offers a much quieter seaside experience, which many visit to get away from the busyness of Bonita, Ballenas, and Punta Popy.

Just 15 minutes west of downtown Las Terrenas is all takes to thin out the crowds for you to have a relaxing ocean-side experience.

How To Get There

Head west down Blvd. Turístico del Atlántico,

Turn right onto Ramal Viva (This is just after the winding hill with all of the potholes).
Follow the road to the end until you reach the Valerio car park right on the beach.

Things To Do

Here you will find a range of a few boutique hotels and small restaurants, including one of our favourites Valerio Restaurante. It sits on the shores, offering a range of delicious seafood at an affordable price.

If you want to get away from the noise for the afternoon, but don’t want to venture too far, Playa Coson is likely the place for you.

9. Playa las Canas

Okay, so we are out of Las Terrenas now, but this stretch of vacant, tropical coastline has to be seen to be believed.

I stumbled across this on a hike from Playa Moron to Playa Ermitano, and let me just say that I have never walked across a beach quite like this.

During the trek between the two, I saw a total of five people over 90 minutes. The seclusion, long stretch of sand, and breathtaking shoreline make it feel like you are at the world’s end.

How To Get There

Starting at El Limon head down the main road and continue left toward Playa Moron.
There will be a turn-off to Playa Moron, continuing straight toward Agua Sabrosa.

This will take you to Playa las Canas.
Drive to the end and park at the beach.

Things To Do

Playa las Canas is about as isolated as it gets. The long stretch of beach and deep shorelines make it feel like you are the only person left on the planet.

Set up for the day, take lunch, I mean heck even take your portable BBQ, and just enjoy the serene Samana coastline.

Going this way will also give you direct road access to the beach and the start of the hike through the hills to Playa Ermintano.

10. Playa Moron

Just a 12-minute drive north (6 km) of El Limon is the wide-open and splendid Playa Moron.

The main beach of El Limon, this gorgeous stretch of coastline offers wonderful views in every direction.

How To Get There

Starting an El Limon, continue driving through town and take the left turn toward Playa Moron.
Head to the beach entrance and park at the beach.
Park outside Cap El Limon (restaurant).

Things To Do

Here you will also be able to see the Escultura Anacaona sculpture (historical landmark), and stop in for a drink at the previously mentioned Cap El Limon.

As previously mentioned this was the starting point for our hike to Playa Ermitano where you can walk along the coast to Playa Kleine Lanza, Playa de las Canas, Playa Moron is a great place to begin many adventures along the north coast.

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Final Thoughts

From the moment we arrived in Samana, we knew that Las Terrenas beaches were going to be something special.

But with so many amazing ones right on your doorstep it can be difficult to pull yourself away and venture out to those remote gems that will just blow you away.

So, if you are visiting, why not take a drive to check out all this amazing peninsula has to offer and soak up the atmosphere of the fantastic coastline?

Are there any of the beaches we have listed that have caught your eye?

Let us know in the comments.

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