Las Terrenas is a small town of 14,000 people on the northwest coast of Samaná Peninsula. It was founded as a fishing village in the mid-20th century. As fishing declined and vacationers from Santo Domingo began arriving for the beaches, the town’s focus shifted toward tourism. Soon the quaint old cabins morphed into bars, restaurants and stores. This transition was appealing to Europeans. Many decided to stay. Improved infrastructure followed, including a highway and airport. These spawned further development. Now Las Terrenas is a wonderful blend of Caribbean scenery, small town charm and endless sand. It also has unexpected European undertones evident in people’s accents and the cuisine served in restaurants.
