Highlights
- Playa Rincón by land, with time to walk past the crowded end
- La Hondonada: a natural arch where the Atlantic pushes through the cliff
- Caño Frío's freshwater pools, ten minutes up the river from the sea
- A working coffee and cacao house, pod to cup
- Typical Dominican lunch served on the sand
- Certified guide and private taxi, door to door from Las Galeras
Description
Playa Rincón is four kilometres of white sand at the end of a dirt road, and most visitors see it for an hour from a boat. This is the land version, with a local driver and a guide, and enough time to get past the first hundred metres of sand. The day starts at 9:30 am in Las Galeras. The first stop is La Hondonada, a natural arch cut into the cliffs where the Atlantic pushes in through the rock. Then a typical house where the family grows coffee and cacao, and will show you how the bean gets from the pod to the cup. After that, Playa Rincón itself — and the part most people miss. Caño Frío is the cold freshwater river that comes out at the far end of the beach. You walk up its bank about ten minutes to the natural pools and swim in fresh water with the sea a hundred metres behind you. Lunch is typical Dominican food on the sand. Back in Las Galeras by 3:00 pm. Andrés Pérez has guided this coast for fifteen years, is certified by the Ministry of Tourism and belongs to AGTUGE, the local guides' association.
What's Included
What's NOT Included
What to Bring
Meeting Point
Pickup anywhere in Las Galeras, Samaná, at 9:30 am, back by 3:00 pm. Send Andrés your address or the name of your hotel on WhatsApp the day before.
Accessibility & Requirements
Mostly a driving day with two short walks: a few minutes over uneven rock at La Hondonada, and about ten minutes along the riverbank at Caño Frío to reach the pools. Suitable for most fitness levels and for children. The last stretch of road to Playa Rincón is unpaved and bumpy. There are no toilets at La Hondonada.
Certified local guide (AGTUGE) with 15 years of experience leading hikes and boat tours from Las Galeras — Playa Frontón, Playa El Valle treks, Salto El Limón and boat trips to the hidden beaches.
Google reviews of Andrés El Andariego de Las Galeras
5.0 · 151Reviews from Google
Isabel D'Ma year agoMy friend and I booked the 7 beaches walking tour ans had a great day with Andrés - he is from the area and knows everyone! He even helped us to arrange transport to and from Samana at a good price after we realised going by bus would not work. Andrés knows all about the beaches, advised us on where was best to swim and where was not safe, told us a lot about the plants and trees. He even cracked open an almond to show us - it was tasty! The lunch was good and we had time to go to where the river meets the sea which was beautiful and refreshing to cool off before heading back. Highly recommend! Go direct if you see this, instead of through an agency!See this review on Google
M. Hernandeza year agoI recently joined an excursion to Playa Ermitaño with Andre El Andariego, and it was truly an unforgettable experience. The beach itself is stunning—secluded, pristine, and surrounded by lush nature that makes you feel like you’ve discovered a hidden paradise. Andre is an excellent guide. He is knowledgeable, friendly, and very attentive to every detail. Throughout the trip, he shared interesting stories about the area and made sure everyone felt comfortable and safe. The organization was top-notch, from transportation to the boat ride and the time we spent relaxing on the beach. If you’re looking for a unique adventure off the beaten path, I highly recommend this excursion. Thank you, Andre, for such a wonderful day!See this review on Google
T B2 years agoAndres is an exceptional guide who took us to the most beautiful treck of our Dominican experience. He is knowledgeable, respectful and incredibly friendly and knows Las Galeras inside out. We felt safe as learned so much about the natural wonders of the area. The swim in the caves was of course a highlightsSee this review on Google
