Get To Know Las Terrenas
Donoma Las Terrenas Retreat · February 4–7, 2027
A Field Guide to the Beaches of Las Terrenas
Travel Advisor, Dorian Destinations · Published September 12, 2026 · ET
Join the Donoma Las Terrenas Retreat
The Samaná Peninsula holds some of the most beautiful and least crowded beaches in the Dominican Republic, and several of the best are minutes from Donoma’s door. Here is the field guide I give every guest before they pack.
Start with the one you can see from the villa, then work outward. Each beach on this list has a different personality, and part of the pleasure of a few days here is discovering which one is yours.
Playa Las Ballenas
The resort’s home beach, named for the small whale-shaped islets offshore. Calm, clean, sargassum-free white sand shaded by palms — ideal for morning walks and lazy afternoons, with the town’s beachfront cafés an easy stroll away.
Playa Bonita
The name says it. A long, golden crescent over the headland from town, beloved for its sunsets and its barefoot beach-bar lunches. Quieter than the town beaches, with a steady breeze that kitesurfers love.
Playa Cosón
A sweeping, kilometers-long bay backed by coconut groves, where the peninsula shows off its wilder side. Great for long walks, photographs, and a famous fish lunch at the far end.
Few make the trek to Playa Morón — those who do rarely share the sand with more than a handful of people.
Playa Morón
Secluded and golden, reached by a bumpy ride past farmland and fruit trees. The road is the price of admission, and it keeps the crowds away.
Playa del Ermitaño
One of the most pristine coves on the northern coast, tucked away and best reached by boat. On our retreat, the day we spend on Samaná Bay — at the height of whale season — traces this same coastline.
Beach descriptions are based on our own visits and local guidance; conditions vary with season and weather.
Beaches · Las Terrenas · Samaná · Dominican Republic · Donoma Retreat