Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
enough to walk to the dive shop here by following the path along the beach from town; re-
sort security will let you through. If you try to drive up, they won't let you in.
Las Galeras Divers
( 809-538-0220;
www.las-galeras-divers.com
; Plaza Lusitania; 8:30am-7pm)
This is a well-re-
spected, French-run dive shop at the main intersection. One-/two-tank dives including all
equipment cost US$2200/3400 (RD$400 less if you have your own). A 10-dive package
brings the rate down to RD$1300 per dive, including gear. PADI certification courses can
also be arranged.
DIVING
The Dive Academy
( 829-577-5548;
www.diveacademy.co
;
Calle Principal; 8am-9pm)
The newest dive operator
in town, this English-run NAUI outfitter offers a 10% discount for online bookings.
DIVING
Hiking
The spectacular
El Punto
lookout is a 5km walk from La Rancheta. To get there, simply
continue past the turnoffs to Playas Madam and Frontón and keep climbing up, up and up.
Allow at least an hour to get to the top.
Horseback Riding
Karin, the Belgian owner of La Hacienda Hostel, leads well-recommended horseback rid-
ing tours to various spots around Las Galeras, including El Punto lookout, Playas
Madama, Frontón and Rincón, and the surrounding hills. Her trips cater to all skill levels
and range from two-hour excursions (RD$1450 per person) to half day (RD$2280 per per-
son) to full-day (RD$2900) and all-inclusive overnight (RD$8300) trips.
Tours
It's possible to book all of the peninsula's standard tours with Las Galeras-based operators
- day-trips include whale-watching in Bahía de Samaná (RD$2500 with lunch) and boat
excursions through Parque Nacional Los Haitises (RD$2600 per person) - but you are
better off making your way to Samaná, where Whale Samaná (
Click here
)
and Tour
Samaná with Terry (
Click here
)
have better reputations for eco-awareness and consistently
churn out happy campers. Boat tours to isolated beaches around Las Galeras itself can be
arranged from the town beach with the Asociación de Lancheros de Las Galeras (from
RD$2000 or RD$600 per person with four or more people).
