The Samana Peninsula managed to stay undiscovered throughout the boom years of the resort towns until 2006. Finally, cruise ships found the small harbor town of Samana on the tip of the peninsula. The development that inevitably followed this huge influx of tourism spread inward from the coast until it finally reached Las Terrenas.
Now Samana is a shell of a town that only comes alive when a ship is in port. Las Terrenas, on the other hand, is still ahead of the development curve, managing to take advantage of the benefits of development without succumbing to short-cuts like Samana town did. The once-village Las Terrenas has just this year really come into its own, now boasting a trifecta of recent improvements that make it the best choice for retirement in the region.
Cost Of Living In Samana
While it offers many amenities that other Latin American destinations don’t, don’t make the mistake of thinking that living here will be at all like living back home. It won’t. If you’re up for an adventure, want to get your hands a little dirty, but still like some imported wine and cheese at the end of the day, then this is the perfect spot for you. A couple can enjoy the lifestyle here for less than 50,838 Dominican pesos per month.
Monthly Budget For A Couple Living In Samana, Dominican Republic
| Expense | Monthly Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Rent | DOP 19,636 | |
| Gas | N/A | Included with electricity. |
| Electricity | DOP 4,145 | |
| Water | N/A | Included with electricity. |
| Telephone | N/A | Included with cable TV. |
| Internet | N/A | Included with cable TV. |
| Cable TV | DOP 3,927 | |
| Groceries | DOP 12,000 | |
| Entertainment | DOP 10,690 | |
| Total | DOP 50,398 |
Click here for currency conversion at today’s exchange rate.
Infrastructure In Samana
The lack of infrastructure that greeted the intrepid expats that first found Las Terrenas is a thing of the past. The most significant change to the region came in 2009 with the Samana-Santo Domingo highway. It used to take anywhere from four to six hours to drive to Las Terrenas from the capital, depending on the condition of the meandering dirt road. Now though, the drive is a pleasant two hours on a smooth four-lane highway.
With improved access, costs came down in Las Terrenas as goods were easier to bring into town. In the five years since the advent of the Samana-Santo Domingo highway, new businesses offering varied services and products have come to Las Terrenas, giving residents more choice and more competitive prices.
The easy trip to capital city Santo Domingo means you’re never too far from a real city and its shopping, museums, theaters, and stadiums.
Santo Domingo used to be home to the only nearby international airport. The opening of El Catey airport in Las Terrenas changed that with regular flights to Canada and the U.S. East Coast, offering plenty of national flights too.
Another of the most recent First World improvements for Las Terrenas was the opening of its brand new hospital Centro Galeno Integral—full service and complete with ICU. This place does it all.
Climate In Samana
Samana boasts miles of sandy beaches and balmy temperatures, with a yearly tropical maritime climate. The weather is fairly consistent all year, with an average temperature of 86 degrees Fahrenheit. The hot and humid season lasts from May to October, and, during the day, temperatures might reach 95 degrees. From November to March, temperatures during the evening are around 68 degrees. Little rain falls around the area, primarily because of the mostly flat landscape, a combination of savanna and mountains.
Expats In Samana
Once a hamlet and still unknown to North Americans, Las Terrenas, Samana, was founded by Europeans looking for a Caribbean getaway in the 1970s. It’s now a vibrant international community with residents hailing from all over the globe, including French, German, Polish, Swiss, Italian, Dutch, and British expats.
The eclectic population means you can find exotic imports from Europe in the supermarkets, freshly made Swiss cheese and German sausage at the local shops, excellent international restaurants, and an active and mixed group of folks to welcome you to their well-established community.
