The nearby town of Rio San Juan offers a glimpse into real Dominican lifestyle. The main tourist attraction here is the Gri Gri lagoon, with its marine caverns that can be toured by boat. A true nature lovers delight. Las Terrenas is reached via a rocky, cliff-hanging road that requires nerves of steel. It is preferable to drive this with a jeep or hire a driver who knows how it is done.
Most tour operators offer daily trips here so it is easy to find transportation.
Stay at the El Portillo Beach Club and enjoy homestyle comforts amidst the grandeur of nature. Small inns populate the beach with a distinctive French flair since many citizens from France have retired here over the years and started businesses. It was settled by two ship loads of freed American slaves around 1824 and the effect is still present. This tropical paradise of vibrant vegetation surrounding a turquoise bay dotted with tiny islets is well known for its special winter visitors. The rooms in this Victorian-styled hotel offer such superb views of the sea and nearby island of Cayo Levantado that you may want to linger on your balcony forever.