All of these beaches are reachable from the Town of Cabrera within a ten minute drive. You should go an explore all of these.

Playa Frances- This is a great little beach which was recently over hauled by by a non-profit group called Verde Cabrera, more on the group later. On most days you won't find to many people there,it will be all yours to enjoy. It is a bit of a hike down a great many stairs and there are no vendors, which is good and bad, while you don't get hassled you don't have anyone to get you a nice cold beer or some great dominican food.

Playa Grande- One of the grandest of them all on the island of Hispanola and one of my favorites. The surf is strong and you need to pay attention for rip tides on windy days, but you can surf, boogie board,  kayak,and even snorkel on a calm day. Now this beach has plenty of vendors , they are all the same guys that have been working the beach for years and are quite good at not trying to over do it. Most really only want to help you out. The food is great from any of them and the beer is just as cold from all too.

Diamonte- This is a great beach for small childern. It is a small beach that stay sallow for a distance, so young childern have a great time playing in and out of the water. so on rough days at Playa Grande this is a perfect alterntive.We take our kayak here on really rough day.It also is a great spot for snorkeling.

La Entrada

Numerous members of the TED community have sought to find a way to help victims of the Haiti quake. We believe one of the organizations best placed to make an immediate difference is Partners in Health. They have operated medical facilities in Haiti for more than two decades and have numerous people on the ground. (We had the honor of working with them as part of President Clinton's TED Prize wish. They're trustable and effective.)

We asked how best the TED community could help and this was their response. Do join us in making a donation here.

·         Help us track down helicopters! That's our #1 need right now is transport. There are thousands of badly injured ppl in Port-au-Prince, and there are PIH hospitals, supplies and teams standing ready to treat them in the central plateau. It's a long, difficult drive over uncertain roads -- OR a 10-min helo ride.

·         Satellite phones! Cell communications are mostly down and we can't send docs out into PAP with no way to be in touch

·         Donate medicine, food, blankets, supplies ... anyone with in-kind products to donate can write to procurement@pih.org

·         Lend your time and skills -- we need experienced trauma surgeons, pediatric trauma surgeons, burn specialists, nurse anesthetists, trauma nurses

·         We need solar chargers, generators, fuel for generators

·         Water purification that does not require electricity -- so massive quanitities of water purification tablets or a system that is standalone

·         Transport -- we have had a few offers of private planes plus a big Air Canada jet -- we are filling them with doctors and supplies and mobilizing

Donate at http://www.pih.org/home.html

Here are just some of the beaches in the Samana Area

Cayo Levantado
Cayo Levantado is a small island located a few miles offshore from the town of Samana. Because it gets busy, it is recommended that visitors take the ferry early. It departs from the main port in Samana. On the opposite side of the island, smaller beaches are less frequented.

Las Terrenas
Located on the north coast of the Samana peninsula, Las Terrenas beach stretches one mile on either side of the town. Speckled with coconut palms, it's the perfect destination in which to enjoy a mix of sand, surf and shade. Casual restaurants are plentiful here, many of which are owned by expats from Europe (especially France) and North America.

Playa Bonita
A quiet eight mile beach located on the north side of Samana peninsula, Playa Bonita looks like something out of a movie set. Featuring white sand beach and clear turquoise waters (see a pattern here?), the area is framed by a few beach houses that only add to its charm.

Playa Las Flechas
Continuing the Spanish lesson, Playa Las Flechas translates to Beach of the Arrows. Legend has it this beach, located on the southeast tip of Samana peninsula, is named after a battle between Christopher Columbus and the Taino Indians, who occupied the land. A fairly quiet destination, Playa Las Flechas looks out onto Cayo Levantado.

Playa Rincon
Conde Nast Traveler ranked this beach as one of the world's 10 best. It's so splendid, in fact, that many Dominicans refer to it as the most beautiful on the island. Over three miles long, Playa Rincon is surrounded by coconut palms and almond trees, not to mention a 2,000 foot mountain on one end. Again, the best way to get to this isolated beach is by boat; a ride that is definitely worth it. (Boat rides are available from Las Galeras.)

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I wanted to be able to give you some local knowledge for when you arrive in our wonderful part of the Dominican Republic. And of course being someone who loves food I going to be starting with a few restaurants here in our town of Cabrera.

The first restaurant which I want to recommend is Chori  Pan, which now has two locations in town, one for breakfast and lunch and the other for dinner.  This is a very popular spot with not only ex-Pats, but equally as well with the locals. The atmosphere is very casual and easy going, which is the case with most of the restaurants here. They serve a variety of BBQ items including ribs and chicken. They also serve pizza which I think is one of the best places for Pizza in town. All fairly standard fair but a very friendly place with very reasonable prices.

Next on the list El Jardin, is a newly open restaurant that sits at the center of town, right across from the public square. This is being run by an American, Joey, who has spent many years in the hotel and restaurant industry both here and in the States. The menu is simple but solid with mostly American cuisine being presented.  A very professional staff that is willing to help. One waiter that comes to mind is a man named Raymond, and he speaks five languages and is very helpful.

Rossi  Restaurant, which is located right on the main road, Caterra 5, is open for dinner as well as lunch. While the service at lunch is slow, dinner you can expect to serve within a reasonable time frame. They specialize in Italian preparations, as in many spots you can have pizza to lasagna. The food here is pleasant, and so is the help. It is a little pricey for what you get, but still a decent meal.