Amazing Airbnb Stay; Casa el Paraiso Las Galeras, Dominican Republic
- Naureen Chhipa
- Mar 24
- 7 min read
Casa el Paraiso was one of my favorite stays in all of Samaná. This Dominican-owned Airbnb is an experience in Las Galeras not to be missed! The Owners (Nora and José) are travelers, and they've decorated and nicknamed each room after a country they have traveled to. When visiting, you can expect the best views overlooking Samana Bay (a prime location for whale watching in Samana, Dominican Republic), delicious meals made by an in-house Italian chef named Mirko, and epic-looking rooms immersed in nature. One of my favorite travel tips for the Dominican Republic is to venture off the beaten path; you won't regret it!
Epic and affordable Airbnbs are rare, so when we found this hidden gem nestled in the jungle in Las Galeras, Samana, we quickly knew this would become a favorite destination to explore and revisit in the Dominican Republic. We loved our stay so much, I had to write about it and share it with all of you, my Dominican Republic loving travelers...
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I enjoy staying at Airbnb's around the world because they provide an authentic experience of local life and offer insights into the culture of the country you're visiting.
❀ At a Glance:
Location/Map: Las Galeras, Samaná Peninsula, Dominican Republic
Vibe: Eco-Lodge, "Open-air" Jungle, Rustic-Chic, Off-the-grid Feel
Highlights: Infinity Pool, Whale Watching (Dec-March), Bespoke Dinner
Best for: Couples, Nature Lovers, and Intimate Weddings
Price Range: Mid-Range / Upscale
Amazing Airbnb Stay; Casa el Paraiso Las Galeras, Samaná
Table of Contents
Casa el Paraiso Eco-Lodge Review
I stayed at Casa el Paraiso Eco-Lodge with my friend Zaira. We had been traveling through the Samaná peninsula, scouting the perfect venue for an intimate wedding dinner reception surrounded by nature. We arrived late in the evening and enjoyed a glass of wine while unwinding in the steaming Jacuzzi waters. There are few street lights in that area of Samaná; it's still very rural, untouched, and pristine - that's part of the charm. Due to the selective dim lighting upon our arrival, it was hard to grasp the splendor of the top-hill location.
Welcomed by a herd of family dogs, chirping parrots, and dancing white bird of paradise leaves, I immediately took my shoes off and enjoyed the moment. I felt like I was at home. That's one of the things I liked the most about our amazing airbnb stay at Casa el Paraiso in Las Galeras, Dominican Republic. Casa el Paraiso doesn't feel like a hotel. Instead, it feels like home. We came here from a stay at Unique Exotic Eco Hotel in El Valle, Samaná, another favorite hotel only a 30-minute drive away. The drive over was a bit rough as the streets were not well-paved, and the signs were easy to miss. Nevertheless, it was all worth it! If you're looking for jungle vibes, secluded beaches, and an oasis to lay your little head down at night, this Airbnb in the Dominican Republic is it!
Casa el Paraiso Location | How do I get to las Galeras from Samaná?
Casa el Paraiso Eco-Lodge is located in the picturesque coastal town of Las Galeras in the Samaná province of the Dominican Republic. For travelers coming from Santo Domingo, the journey to Casa el Paraiso is approximately a 3 hour and 30 minutes drive, while those arriving from Punta Cana should expect a 4 hour and 45 minutes drive. Alternatively, from Punta Cana, you can drive to Sabana de la Mar and take the ferry there to Samaná. Something to note: cars are not allowed on the ferry, so you won't be able to take it with you. You'll need a car or taxi to get from the port to Casa el Paraiso. I highly recommend renting a car for convenience and flexibility during your stay. It's crucial to plan your arrival before sunset, as the route to the destination is dimly lit with limited street lights and signage. Navigating through the area after dark can be challenging and may lead to getting lost. Therefore, arriving well before nightfall is advisable to ensure a smooth and safe journey. Address: La Subida, 32000 Santa Bárbara de Samaná, Dominican Republic.
Samaná- Casa el Paraiso Hotel Rooms
We stayed in room number two, boasting a captivating marine theme reflecting the majestic humpback whales congregating in the vicinity from mid-December to late March. Most bungalows are open-air and designed sustainably, allowing guests to take in the stunningly epic panoramic views. Casa el Paraiso offers seven rooms, one of which is equipped with enclosed spaces and air conditioning. The latest addition to the accommodations is room 7, complete with its in-room jacuzzi. The entire villa is available for rent for larger groups, providing ample space for up to 16 guests if you decide to rent the entire space out. This blog post will review my favorite rooms: 1, 2 (where we stayed,) and 5. In all honesty, any room you choose will make for an excellent experience, but if you can choose, I'd go with 1, 5 or 7--- there's simply something magical about them!
La Marina - Room 1 - Casa el Paraiso Eco-Lodge
Nicknamed "La Marina" and often called the most romantic room in this entire villa due to a massive natural- raw- coral rock filled with cascading candles that have been lit over the years and now form a fairy-tale-like cascading veil. This room features a queen-size bed and sleeper sofa, accommodating three guests. I can't decide my favorite part of this room; The raw coral rock wall, the completely open bathroom with a rooted shower and toilet facing the jungle, or the hammocks overlooking the jungle and sea below.
Africa - Room 5 - Casa el Paraiso Hotel
Nicknamed "Africa", this room is exotic and wild. I truly felt I was on safari in Africa as I walked through and marveled at all the well-crafted furniture pieces. My favorite room in this entire villa; Featuring its own Koi fish pond and completely open double-walls, enclosing jungle, mountain, and sea in a one-of-a-kind stay. This room can accommodate two guests.
At the time of our visit, Room 7, Nicknamed "Morocco," was not yet finished. I'll have to return and give it a proper review, but I'm pretty confident it ranks in the top 3!
Facilities
Perched atop dramatic cliffs with breathtaking views of Samaná Bay and engulfed by lush jungle, this hidden gem features an exquisite infinity pool, a luxurious jacuzzi, a man-made sandy beach area for ultimate relaxation and tanning, a sauna, and shaded hidden nooks for chilling on a hammock while reading a book! Additionally, guests can enjoy alfresco views offered by the shared bathroom, which lacks doors. No worries; you'll do your business peacefully while facing the jungle, making it a truly unique and memorable experience.
This Airbnb has common areas shared with the owners (Santo Domingo Veterinarians Nora and José), a handful of playful dogs and parrots, and guests staying at the other bungalows.
Dining
There's an open kitchen, so you can bring groceries/ beverages to eat and drink. Or, if you'd prefer a more laid-back experience, they have an Italian gourmet chef (Mirko) who can cook you anything you'd like to eat. Chef Mirko makes delicious seafood platters featuring the local catch of the day and intertwining local and international flavors in every bite.
Eclectic Decor at Casa el Paraiso
This hand-crafted Airbnb uses recycled objects repurposed and used as furniture and decoration pieces. Here are some of my favorites:
Final Words About Our Amazing Airbnb Stay at the Eco-Lodge Casa el Paraiso
We loved our rustic, bungalow Dominican Republic stay in Casa el Paraiso. We only stayed one night at this Las Galeras hotel and immediately regretted the decision. Casa el Paraiso deserves at least a few nights to fully disconnect! Have a day where you enjoy the space, book a romantic date night dinner with Chef Mirko (if traveling as a couple,) and do nothing, just take it all in. Have another day where you go beach hopping in the area and a day where you take a full-day excursion and go whale watching or zip lining in the Jungle!
Looking for things to do in Las Galeras, Samaná? Click here to book a whale watching tour or Click here to book a Zip Lining Adventure instead.
FAQs about Casa El Paraiso, Eco Lodge
Is there air conditioning at Casa el Paraiso?
Yes. At the time of our visit, one of the rooms had air conditioning. Keep in mind that the beauty of this place is it's open-air feature. The other 6 rooms do not have air conditioning, and in all honesty, we did not need it! The cooling air from the sea breeze is enough.
Are there bugs at Casa el Paraiso?
We had no mosquito or bug problems during our visit. Keep in mind that you're in the jungle, so if you're prone to mosquito bites, bringing a natural-organic based mosquito repellent can't hurt. The rooms also have mosquito nets so you can sleep bug-free.
Does Casa el Paraiso, Eco Lodge have a pool?
Yes! The pool is one of my favorite amenities here. From the pool area at Casa el Paraiso you can overlook the Samaná Bay, which makes for epic looking pictures.
What are the Check-in and Check-out times at Casa el Paraiso, Eco Lodge?
Check-in at Casa el Paraiso if at 3 pm and Check-out is at 12 pm.
What is there to do at Casa el Paraiso?
You can spend an entire day relaxing at Casa el Paraiso without having to leave the property. In Casa el Paraiso you'll find: a hot tub/jacuzzi, sauna, swimming pool, man-made beach to sun bathe, and friendly animals surrounding the area like koi fish pond, parrots, and the owners dogs to keep you company. You can also request a Bespoke Dinner with their in-house Italian Chef Mirko for the ultimate romantic getaway experience blending Dominican and Italian flavors with the catch of the day making an unforgettable meal.
What are your thoughts? Would you stay here and which room would you choose?
Thanks for reading! I hope you get to experience this amazing Airbnb stay. Till next time!
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