A natural pool
Fresh water with no chemicals, ringed by plants and loungers. One guest calls it "a true Garden of Eden."
La Iglesia · Las Terrenas · Samaná · Dominican Republic
Casa Picaflor
★★★
Just three thatched-roof rooms tucked into a garden so lush it feels like a slice of jungle in the middle of town. At its heart is a natural, chlorine-free pool of fresh water, and the beach is a couple of minutes away on foot. It's a bed & breakfast for people who'd rather fall asleep to tree frogs than to loudspeakers.
- 9.3on Booking.com · 136 reviews
- 4.8on Google · 71 reviews
- 2 minwalk to the beach
Secure booking on Booking.com · Rates change by date
A jungle garden steps from the sea
The house sits on a leafy lot off Calle Emilio Prudhomme, in the La Iglesia neighborhood, where downtown Las Terrenas meets the shore. Expedia puts Playa de La Iglesia a 1-minute stroll away and Punta Popy about 13; a bakery, a crêperie and a pizzeria lie 6–9 minutes off, and the Fishermen's Village just over half a kilometer.
Inside the gate the pace changes: three thatched bungalows separated by banana plants, palms and flowers, each with its own patio, hammock and outdoor seating. There's no restaurant or traditional front desk, but hosts who live on the property, cook breakfast to order and hand out detailed directions for exploring the peninsula on your own. One guest calls it "a haven of peace amid the hustle and bustle of Las Terrenas."
See availability →Why stay here
The points guests mention most on Google and Booking.com, checked against the Expedia listing.
Only three rooms
Separate, ground-level thatched bungalows: few guests, lots of privacy and quiet.
Location: 9.7
Its top score on Booking.com, tied with comfort: beach, bars and restaurants on foot, without the main-road noise.
A chef-style breakfast
The hosts cook a different one each day, with local produce plus vegan and gluten-free options. It's paid separately.
Hosts who plan your days
Beach and restaurant tips, plus step-by-step directions for doing excursions without a tour.
A low-impact stay
Traditional architecture, a water dispenser instead of bottles, no plastic straws and a focus on local food.
Hotel photos
The three rooms
Each one is decorated differently and has a king bed and a private patio or terrace with a hammock. All have air conditioning, a ceiling fan, free Wi-Fi, a pillow-top mattress, a pillow menu, blackout curtains, mosquito nets, a fridge, an electric kettle and a private bathroom with a shower and bidet.
Luxury Tent
The largest: an open space with a sofa and ceiling fan, surrounded by greenery. Expedia lists it for up to 3 guests.
See price →Comfort Room
A wooden headboard, nightstands on both sides and a view of the natural pool, a few steps from the loungers.
See price →Romantic Room
A thatched cabin with a wooden door among banana plants, wrapped in greenery and made for couples.
See price →Amenities
A small, family-run place: no bar or restaurant, but breakfast to order, massages and plenty of help planning your days.
- À la carte breakfastDaily from 7:30 am, for an extra charge; they can bring it to your room.
- Natural poolOutdoors, open all year, with a shallow area and loungers.
- Free Wi-FiAbout 35 Mbps according to Booking.com: enough for video calls.
- Air conditioningPlus a ceiling fan in every room.
- Free parkingPrivate and supervised on site, with few spaces.
- Airport shuttleAround the clock, for a fee and on request.
- MassagesSeveral kinds, in your room; book them in advance.
- Tour helpThey recommend and book activities with local operators.
- Beach towelsTo take to the sand, a couple of minutes away.
- Water refillsA dispenser instead of plastic bottles.
- Luggage storageFor your last day if your flight leaves late.
- Non-smoking roomsNo smoking inside the rooms.
Breakfast at home, dinner in town
Order breakfast at Casa Picaflor; for the rest of the day, the La Iglesia area has plenty within a few blocks.
House breakfast
À la carte and different every morning: continental, Italian or American style, with fruit and local products. Several reviews rank it among the highlights of their trip.
Boulangerie Française · 6 min
French-style bread and pastries for an afternoon treat.
Casa Azul Pizzería Grill · 7 min
Pizza and grilled meats, close enough to walk back.
Creperie Les Blonds · 9 min
Crêpes for a light dinner or dessert.
El Mosquito Art Bar · 10 min
An arty bar for a drink in the evening.
Fishermen's Village · 0.6 km
Seafood restaurants facing the fishing boats, best at sunset.
Palm-lined beaches, a jungle waterfall and winter whales
Las Terrenas is a fishing village turned the most cosmopolitan corner of the Samaná Peninsula, with long, light-sand beaches on both sides of town and Punta Popy (0.8 km) for kitesurfing. Distances are in a straight line from the hotel.
Playa Bonita · 3 km
A quiet bay west of town with golden sand, coconut palms and few buildings. The sea is usually calm in the morning; waves and a few surfers show up in the afternoon.
Playa Cosón · 9.2 km
Several kilometers of almost untouched, palm-fringed beach, perfect for long walks without meeting anyone. There are a few beach restaurants; the surf can be strong, so swim with care.
Fishermen's Village · 0.6 km
Colorful wooden cabins on the shore, now restaurants and bars serving fresh fish next to the boats. It's the classic sunset spot in Las Terrenas.
El Limón Waterfall · 10.9 km
A waterfall of about 40 meters deep in the forest, with a pool you can swim in. You reach it from the village of El Limón on a muddy trail with river crossings, on foot or on horseback with local guides.
Humpback whales (January–March)
Every winter thousands of humpback whales come to Samaná Bay to mate and give birth. Whale-watching boats leave from the port of Samaná (24.7 km) and follow distance rules so the whales aren't disturbed.
Playa Rincón, on a day trip
At the far end of the peninsula, near Las Galeras, this white-sand, turquoise-water beach makes every list of the Caribbean's best. It's an easy day trip by car or on a tour.
When to go to Las Terrenas
Average high temperature and rainfall on the Samaná Peninsula, month by month (approximate values).
28°Jan
28°Feb
29°Mar
29°Apr
30°May
31°Jun
31°Jul
32°Aug
32°Sep
31°Oct
30°Nov
28°Dec
High season, drier (Dec–Apr) Hot (May–Jul) Rain and hurricanes (Aug–Nov) · mm
- ☀️ December to April is high season: more sunshine and more bearable heat. The town fills up at Christmas, New Year's, Carnival (February) and Easter, so book early.
- 🐋 From January 15 to the end of March, humpback whales gather in Samaná Bay. Whale-watching boats fill up on weekends.
- 🌡️ May to July is hotter (31–32 °C) and quieter; showers are usually short.
- 🌧️ On the peninsula's north coast it also rains quite a lot from October to January, with showers and choppy seas; the sun comes out in between.
- 🌀 Hurricane season runs from June to November, with the highest risk from August to October. Travel insurance and flexible rates are a good idea.
- 💧 Tap water isn't safe to drink: stick to bottled water. The sun is strong all year and mosquitoes come out at dusk, so bring sunscreen and repellent.
How to get here
From Samaná El Catey Airport (AZS)
The closest airport (22.3 km from the hotel): 30 to 40 minutes by taxi or transfer on the Boulevard Turístico del Atlántico, a toll road. It mostly handles seasonal flights from Canada and Europe.
From Santo Domingo (SDQ)
Las Américas Airport has the most flights. From there it's about 2 h 15 min to 2 h 30 min by car on the Autopista del Nordeste and the Boulevard Turístico del Atlántico (both toll roads); many hotels can arrange the transfer.
From Punta Cana (PUJ) or Puerto Plata (POP)
It's 3 to 4 hours by road. A private transfer or rental car is best, and it's wise to drive in daylight.
Guaguas and buses
Guaguas (minibuses) and direct buses run from Santo Domingo to Las Terrenas, and Caribe Tours goes to Samaná. On the peninsula, guaguas link Las Terrenas, El Limón and Samaná.
Getting around
Downtown and the nearby beaches are walkable. Otherwise there are taxis and motoconchos (motorbike taxis): agree on the fare before you get on, ask for a helmet and take a taxi at night. The currency is the Dominican peso; there are ATMs in town and US dollars are accepted in many places, though change usually comes in pesos.
What's nearby
From Calle Emilio Prudhomme, La Iglesia area. Walking times from Expedia; the rest in a straight line.
- Playa de La Iglesia1 min walk
- Haitian art gallery4 min walk
- Boulangerie Française6 min walk
- Beach Garden shopping plaza8 min walk
- El Mosquito Art Bar10 min walk
- Fishermen's Village0.6 km
- Downtown Las Terrenas0.8 km
- Playa Punta Popy13 min walk
- Playa Las Ballenas18 min walk
- Playa Bonita3 km
- El Limón Waterfall10.9 km
- El Catey Airport (AZS)22.3 km
Guest reviews
9.3 out of 10 on Booking.com from 136 reviews and 4.8 out of 5 on Google from 71 reviews. The most recent on Booking.com is from October 2026.
9.7Comfort on Booking.com
9.7Location on Booking.com
9.6Cleanliness on Booking.com
9.6Staff on Booking.com
«Wonderful hosts, a good location and a charming place. For lovers of nature and peace and quiet.»
«A charming, peaceful spot, set back from the main road. With only three rooms, it's a very private property.»
«Everything was spotless, and the bed was big and super comfortable.»
«A fantastic experience if you want to feel a bit like you're in the forest, with frogs and the stream of the natural pool in the background.»
«A wonderful bungalow surrounded by greenery, with a fresh-water natural pool to cool off after a day in Las Terrenas.»
«A haven of peace amid the hustle and bustle of Las Terrenas. The breakfast is top-notch!»
Before you book
Check-in from 2 pm
Booking.com lists arrivals until midnight, but you must share your expected arrival time: there's no staffed front desk, and one guest arrived with nobody there to meet them. Check-out by 11 am.
Bring cash
Booking.com only mentions cash, and Expedia adds mobile payments. There are ATMs downtown, less than a kilometer away.
Mosquitoes
The most common complaint: the garden is practically a jungle. There are mosquito nets, but bring repellent and keep doors shut at dusk.
A chlorine-free pool
Because it's natural, the steps and bottom can be slippery and tadpoles sometimes appear. Most guests love it; if you expect crystal-clear hotel water, keep that in mind.
Sounds of nature
Frogs sing at night, and the hosts' dogs, cat and rabbit roam the garden. Guests can't bring pets.
Cool, but not airtight
The thatched roofs keep temperatures down and many guests only use the fan; some reviews say the air conditioning is weak or the hot water takes a while.
Breakfast is extra
It's usually not included in the rate: you order and pay on site. Check the conditions of the rate you pick.
Children
Kids of any age are welcome, but there are no cribs or extra beds, and Expedia notes that patios and terraces may not suit little ones.
Things to do from Las Terrenas
Highly rated tours on Viator: whales in Samaná Bay, El Limón Waterfall on horseback, Los Haitises, Cayo Levantado, Playa Rincón and a jungle zipline. Check each tour's meeting point or whether it includes hotel pickup; cancellation terms vary by tour.
Zipline Adventure in El Limón
See the tour →
Whale Watching Tour in Samana Bay from Las Terrenas
See the tour →
El Limón Waterfall Guided Tour & Horseback Riding Adventure
See the tour →
Haitian National Park and fell up
See the tour →
Samana Half Day Countryside Adventure
See the tour →
Half Day Cayo Levantado
See the tour →Tour texts and photos: Viator.
Where it is
Calle Emilio Prudhomme, La Iglesia, 32000 Las Terrenas, Samaná, Dominican Republic
Book your stay at Casa Picaflor
See today's rates and availability on Booking.com. With only three rooms, it's worth booking early in high season; check whether each rate includes breakfast and until when you can cancel for free.
See availability →Frequently asked questions
Where is Casa Picaflor?
On Calle Emilio Prudhomme, in the La Iglesia area of Las Terrenas (Samaná Peninsula). The beach is a one- or two-minute walk, Playa Punta Popy about 13 minutes and the Fishermen's Village just over half a kilometer.
How many rooms are there?
Three: a luxury tent, a Comfort room with a pool view and a thatched romantic cabin. All have a king bed, air conditioning, a private bathroom and a patio or terrace with a hammock.
Is breakfast included?
Usually not: it's ordered separately and charged per person. It's à la carte, served from 7:30 am, with vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options.
What is the pool like?
It's a natural fresh-water pool with no chemicals, surrounded by plants, with a shallow area and loungers. The steps can be slippery.
What time is check-in?
From 2 pm. Let them know when you'll arrive, since there's no front desk open all day. Check-out is by 11 am.
Are pets or children allowed?
No pets (and, according to Expedia, no service animals either). Children of any age are welcome, though there are no cribs or extra beds.
How do I get there from the airport?
The closest is Samaná El Catey (AZS), about 30–40 minutes by car; Casa Picaflor offers a paid transfer if you request it in advance. From Santo Domingo (SDQ) it's a little over 2 hours by road.
Is there parking?
Yes, free, private and supervised on site, though with few spaces and a tight spot to maneuver.