Samana, Dominican Republic.- It’s all about the hammocks.

Sure, there’s lots of buzz about the beauty of Samaná and its unspoiled mountains, white, powdery beaches and oceanic adventures, such as whale watching and deep sea fishing, and that’s clearly all good stuff...

On the Peninsula’s most Eastern tip, however, in the town of Las Galeras, lies the charming bed and breakfast getaway of Casa Dorado, where two big, tightly woven hammocks sway in perfect harmony on the shaded second floor terrace. As far as relax time for the weary traveler goes, this spot couldn’t be more idyllic for reading, napping or meditation. The view overlooks the property’s large, attractive tropical garden, sculpted in bamboo, palm, cherry, and guava trees, along with the constant song of the finches.

Catherine DeLaura and Roberto Guzman dreamed up, designed and built the bed and breakfast based on their shared love of Mediterranean and Mexican style architecture. Guzman is an architect and had been envisioning the house for many years before they finally found their ideal spot to lay down the foundation in Las Galeras.

The married duo built with the idea of offering bed and breakfast services from the ground up. “We always loved staying in bed and breakfasts, it’s a more intimate, family style way to stay in the Dominican Republic, less sterile than the hotel experience,” says DeLaura. “And, I love breakfast, it’s my favorite meal of the day. 

Casa Dorado is indeed far less sterile of an atmosphere than the room key handoff that constitutes half your welcome at a hotel. It is also a refreshing change of pace from the all-inclusive tendencies of tourist leaning beach towns. The house itself is very open and spacious, with three guest rooms, a generously equipped Mexican-style kitchen, a ground floor living area, wrap around porch, and two upstairs terrace.

Though a little off the beaten path -- expect some bumpy roads getting to Las Galeras and to Casa Dorado itself -- the B & B is less than a ten minute walk to two very different beaches: Playa Principal and La Playita.

Playa Principal is large and central as the name suggests. It goes on and on with strategically placed palm trees and resorts lining its shores. And though it is lovely in its own right, the best part about Principal is the walk there through the center of town, with grocery stores, discotheques, and restaurants -- including a fabulous pizza joint that offers creme fraiche topping for all its pies, brilliant!     

La Playita, on the other hand, is arrived at after a soothing stroll past fields and farms. It’s unmarred by development and its waters are clear and gentle over the reef. Snorkeling equipment is provided as part of your stay at Casa Dorado. 

While horseback riding, snorkeling, sunbathing, and beachside fish stands are all there for the soaking up, getting out onto the ocean is not to be missed in Las Galeras.

Deep-sea fishing is plentiful year-round, the 1,700’ drop of the Puerto Rico Trench is only two miles out, making Las Galeras a sport fishing hot spot. Along with architecture and hosting duties, Captain Guzman offers group 1/2 and full day fishing trips on his 28’ sport fishing boat or his 22’ panga. The fish are fantastic fighters and Guzman is an experienced and engaging guide who gives plenty of pole time to his fishers. (Insider tip: Guzman also fries a mean fish dinner, available upon request post excursion...)     

Don’t feel like fishing? There’s humpback whale watching from January to March and seven other area beaches to motor out to year round, including Playa Rincon, regarded as one of the top ten beaches of the Caribbean. Beach hopping and whale watching are also available as Guzman excursions.     

Casa Dorado is open year round with nightly, weekly and long-term stays from $50 to $80 a night, which includes cleaning services, beach gear, wireless internet access, and, most importantly, unlimited hammock time. Seriously, they’re that good.