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El Secreto-charming, private villa walking distance to Las Ballenas beach & town

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Villa El Secreto
Villa El Secreto - a full moon
Bungalow - one bedroom, one full bath, kitchenette, seating area.
Main House - two bedrooms, one full bath
Pool - located between main house and bungalow

Reviews

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional
3 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 67534.7 sq ft

Popular amenities

  • Pool
  • Hot tub
  • Kitchen
  • Dryer
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Air-conditioning

Explore the area

View in a map
Las Terrenas, Samana
  • Place, Playa Ballenas
    ‪3 min walk‬
  • Place, Cayos Las Ballenas
    ‪5 min walk‬
  • Place, La Iglesia Beach
    ‪14 min walk‬
  • Airport, Samana (AZS-El Catey Intl.)
    ‪50 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 6)

Bedroom 1 - Main House

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 2 - Main House

2 Single Beds

Bedroom 3 - Bungalow

1 Queen Bed

2 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Soap · Towels provided · Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 2

Soap · Towels provided · Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Kitchenette
Outdoor play area
Garden
Dining area

About this property

El Secreto-charming, private villa walking distance to Las Ballenas beach & town

Villa El Secreto is located just outside the village of Las Terrenas in the Samana Peninsula of the Dominican Republic considered by locals and visitors alike as one of the prettiest and still unspoiled parts of the country.
Situated in a quiet residential neighborhood, the villa is totally private, fenced, and set in 700 sq meters of tropical gardens, coconut trees, and exuberant vegetation. The nearest beach, Las Ballenas, is one of the most beautiful and pristine beaches in the area and is only 125 meters from the villa. Restaurants, supermarkets, bars, discos, and other conveniences are within a short walking/driving distance of the town.
The main house features two bedrooms, a full bathroom, a large kitchen, and a living room opening to the pool area. The guest bungalow is separated from the main house by the pool, and it offers one bedroom with its own kitchenette, bathroom, and seating area. The villa is perfect for families or couples looking to share accommodations but wishing to keep their privacy.
Dream the day away at Las Ballenas, Bonita, Coson, or any of the other beautiful beaches nearby. Take a day trip to Los Haitises National Park or El Limon waterfall. Other activities, day trips, and excursions can be booked with local travel agencies or explored on your own. At the end of the day, walk for dinner to one of the many restaurants in town or stay by the pool, or barbeque, and have a drink in your own little corner of paradise.
**PLEASE READ BELOW TERMS AND CONDITIONS IN THEIR ENTIRETY BEFORE BOOKING.**

REGARDLESS OF LENGTH OF STAY, A SHORT-TERM RENTAL CONTRACT, ACCEPTANCE OF HOUSE RULES, A USD$400.00 SECURITY DEPOSIT (THROUGH VRBO), AND A COPY OF THE CURRENT ID OF THE PERSON RESPONSIBLE FOR THE RESERVATION ARE REQUIRED. THESE ARE NOT VRBO, BUT OUR OWN REQUIREMENTS. THE PERSON BOOKING THE PROPERTY MUST BE OVER 25 AND ON THE RESERVATION. Active 24-hour security cameras (video & sound) are located in the parking area facing the driveway, bungalow facing the left side of the fence and the garden, bungalow facing the right side of the fence and dining area, main house facing the pool and right side of the garden, main house facing the parking area/entrance, and back of the bungalow facing the service house.
**ELECTRICITY IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RENTAL FEE AND MUST BE PAID IN CASH AT CHECK-OUT.
** RESIDENTIAL, VERY QUIET NEIGHBORHOOD. STRICTLY SIX PEOPLE CAPACITY AT ALL TIMES, NO VISITORS ALLOWED. PARKING FOR TWO MEDIUM-SIZED VEHICLES INSIDE THE PROPERTY. ABSOLUTELY NO PARTIES, SOCIAL EVENTS, OR LARGE BAFFLES ALLOWED. NO LOUD MUSIC AT ANY TIME. QUIET HOURS ARE 10:00 PM TO 8:00 AM INCLUDING WEEKENDS AND HOLIDAYS.

WEEKLY/NIGHTLY RATES DO NOT APPLY TO MAJOR HOLIDAYS, PLEASE WRITE FOR EXACT QUOTES. Weekly rates are available for Christmas, New Year's, and Easter weeks.
COVID-19 - The property is thoroughly cleaned and disinfected after every stay. The villa and the pool are completely private, and the property is fully fenced. We also provide cleaning supplies for our guests to use during their stay.

Maid service is provided on stays of 7 days or more, after the 7th day. For long-term stays, a guest starter kit is provided.

We are proud to be a Certified Wildlife Habitat.

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Amenities

Pool
Hot tub
Kitchen
Dryer
Free WiFi
Air conditioning

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 10:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
Pool is not fenced
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Events

No events allowed
NO PARTIES OR EVENTS, very quiet neighborhood.
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Pets

No pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
6 people max capacity, no visitors allowed. No parties, reunions, or loud music at any time. Quiet hours are daily from 10:00 pm to 8:00 a.m.
A short-term rental contract, acceptance of house rules, a USD $500.00 security deposit, and valid ID for all adults are required.
Electricity is not included in the rental and must be paid at check-out.

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Note from host: NO PARTIES OR EVENTS, very quiet neighborhood.
Long-term renters welcome
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a deadlock

We should mention

A car is recommended for transport to and from this property

About the area

Las Terrenas

Located in Las Terrenas, this villa is in the city centre and on the beach. Plaza Rosada Shopping Center and Beach Garden Plaza are worth checking out if shopping is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Coson Beach and Playa Ballenas. Cayos Las Ballenas and Whale Museum of Samana are also worth visiting. Discover the area's water adventures with jet skiing and scuba diving nearby, or enjoy the great outdoors with ecotours and mountain climbing.
View more Villas in Las TerrenasOpens in a new window
Map
Las Terrenas, Samana

What's nearby

  • Playa Ballenas - 3 min walk - 0.3 km
  • Cayos Las Ballenas - 5 min walk - 0.5 km
  • La Iglesia Beach - 14 min walk - 1.2 km
  • Plaza Rosada Shopping Center - 8 min drive - 3.9 km
  • Playa Bonita - 17 min drive - 8.9 km

Getting around

  • Samana (AZS-El Catey Intl.) - 41 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Eden Beach Restaurant - ‬19 min walk
  • ‪El Mosquito Art Bar - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪El Loro - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪Restaurante El Bulrvar Del Marisco - ‬12 min drive
  • ‪Barra Payan - ‬7 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Does El Secreto-charming, private villa walking distance to Las Ballenas beach & town have a pool?

Yes, this property has a pool.

How much does it cost to stay at El Secreto-charming, private villa walking distance to Las Ballenas beach & town?

As of 24 Mar, 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at El Secreto-charming, private villa walking distance to Las Ballenas beach & town on 16 Nov, 2026 start from S$243, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.

Is El Secreto-charming, private villa walking distance to Las Ballenas beach & town pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much is parking at El Secreto-charming, private villa walking distance to Las Ballenas beach & town?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at El Secreto-charming, private villa walking distance to Las Ballenas beach & town?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at El Secreto-charming, private villa walking distance to Las Ballenas beach & town?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is El Secreto-charming, private villa walking distance to Las Ballenas beach & town located?

Located in Las Terrenas, this beachfront villa is in the city centre and within a 5-minute walk of Playa Ballenas and Cayos Las Ballenas. La Iglesia Beach and Beach Garden Plaza are also within 2 miles (3 km).

Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 45 out of 53 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 8 out of 53 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 53 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 53 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 53 reviews

9.6/10

Cleanliness

9.6/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

9.8/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified

10/10 Excellent

Angie H.

Great place to stay!!

It was a beautiful place. Clean house and a short walk to the beach. We really enjoyed our time there.
Stayed 10 nights in Feb 2019
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Maray. p.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Short stay with Family

Me and my family enjoyed the villa. Beautiful place to be and very relaxing
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Patrick B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Nice place to stay

No complaints all was good
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2023
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Carlos A.

HOME AWAY FROM HOME!!!

Villa el Secreto is a great place to stay for vacation. IT JUST A HOME AWAY FROM HOME!!! Millie :-)
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Dianne H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Las Terrenas Villa

Stayed for two days only but had a great stay. House was great and short walk to the beach and restaurants. We enjoyed the beautiful gardens as we are flower and bird lovers. Will definitely stay here again when back in the Las Terrenas area. Kelvin the caretaker was very friendly and helpful.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2019
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Tracey D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

A special spot

everyone was very responsive and helpful. It is a very special property, well located close to the beach. The area is developing quickly and hopefully it will keep its charm
Stayed 8 nights in Jan 2020
Verified

10/10 Excellent

herbert h.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Vacations 2023

Good times
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Dahiana M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Am

Amazing as always. Love the communication with the host. This place is just incredible.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Karen G.

Wonderful stay at special property

We had a lovely stay at at El Secreto. It was perfect for our family of 6. My daughter, her husband and two children were in the main house and my husband and I had our own little bungalow on the other side of the pool for some nice, quiet privacy. The home was spotless and the management responded quickly. The pool was clean and refreshing and location was great, with walking to a nice beach. We would highly recommended this little getaway.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Brian B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Las Terrenas

The property was as exactly described. Very well equipped. the beach and ocean was ony a five minute walk away. Lots of eclectic places to eat on the main strip. We felt very secure as we were off of the main street and not a lot of traffic came down the road to the property. Very quiet at night.
Stayed 7 nights in Feb 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Dahiana M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Paradise

The place is so lovely and peaceful. Away from all the noise. Perfect for family. The only thing is that electricity was a bit too much. Other than that, the host is amicable and you will fall in love with that little paradise. So clean, you will feel like home. This villa was exactly what my family needed. Thank you
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Robert D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great little hideaway

"El Secreto" is as advertised. Once you get through town, down the small streets and behind the metal gate you find a secluded cottage with beautiful gardens and pool. We found it very relaxing in the morning with a cup of coffee watching the hummingbirds, and others go by. We didn't use the guest cottage but it is very nice if you had extra guests. Walking to town is a bit of a hike but the 5 minute walk to the beaches are worth it. Must go down to the Eden Bar at the end of the street for drinks, food and the sunset! We hope to come back one day.
Stayed 5 nights in Mar 2021
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Arlene V.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

There aren’t words sufficient enough to describe how GORGEOUS this place is. My stay was WONDERFUL from the moment we arrived. Kelvin, which is the person who oversees the property, was wonderful. We arrived with no issues at all and the owners were amazing giving us directions. As soon as we entered Kelvin was there to show us around and to make sure we were comfortable. Everything at this property was PERFECT. We had such a good time and we will definitely be staying here again. I recommend this property 100% . It’s the perfect spot to enjoy a relaxing vacation.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2019
Archival

8/10 Good

Jorge N.

Very Nice, Clean and Beautifull place.

This house is very nice and the location is also great. The only reason I gave four stars is for all the cameras located in the common areas. I understand they do this because of the security, but I and the people with me feel like we were watch 24/7. Maybe they should relocate the cameras to the property perimeters or entrance. Other than that we love the place and love Kevin, he was very helpful and always answers our call quickly.
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2017
Archival

8/10 Good

Elle H.

Such a perfect spot!

I visited Las Terrenas with 4 friends over Thanksgiving and for my birthday and this villa couldn't have been better. The property is beautiful and very well maintained. It's also completely secure. The beds were cozy, the kitchen had everything we needed and the TV with CNN was a nice addition. Having separate sleeping quarters in the poolhouse was great too and allowed us all some privacy. All rooms are air conditioned. The best part was that the villa is a very short walk to the beach and fisherman's village. I'd still suggest renting ATVs like we did. It's much easier to get around. Overall, it was an outstanding place to stay. Downsides: The wifi never worked in spite of contacting the landlord. The property manager was hours late both to let us in and to sign off when we left.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Kristi L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Even better the second time around!

This was our second stay at El Secreto, and while we have stayed in other places when El Secreto was already booked, I can say without a doubt that this is our favorite place to stay in Las Terrenas. It feels like coming home. It is quiet, safe, clean, and well maintained. All of which resulted in an amazingly relaxing vacation. On this visit, Bibi connected us with a local artisan who uses plants and herbs to make soaps, bath salts, and skin serums. Annabelle gave us a tour of her workshop and shared her experience of learning about botanicals native to the Dominican Republic. It was fun to get a chance to connect to the community and learn more about the beautiful area we were visiting. El Secreto is a quick walk to the beach and a number of restaurant choices. We had a car and were able to easily navigate the town and neighboring beaches. Bibi is an awesome communicator, and the property manager, Kelvin, did a great job making us feel welcome. There are a lot of nice places in Las Terrenas, but I think what makes this one of the best experiences are the people who own and manage El Secreto. My recommendation.... Book it! You will not regret it.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2023
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Jeni R.

Great Location, Safe, Comfy, and Clean!

Gracias Bibi and El Secreto! I was contemplating between 2 different properties and I feel very blessed to have ended up at El Secreto! Everything is as described and it looks just like the pictures (only better). Location, location, location!! The location of this place is great. It is a very short walk to what I thought was the best place to hang/swim on the beach. It is nice walking distance into town and a shorter distance to various restaurants/bars. If you don't want to walk, there was always a local there ready to offer their scooter taxi services...and i highly recommend taking at least one trip this way...highly entertaining...and a bit scary. We prepared our own food almost every meal and the kitchen had everything we needed (well, almost everything...no wine opener). The bbq works and is a nice addition. The air conditioner keeps the place cool. I'm not one to normally use air conditioning...yet it was a nice luxury at night. The beds (and pillows) were comfortable and I slept great. The paint from the pool got on our skin and made it white. I informed Bibi of this and she responded immediately letting me know that someone will be taking a look at this. It washed off and she handled it well. I didn't care much, as i prefer the ocean anyway. Las Terrenas and El Secreto were the perfect location for a very relaxing vacation on the beach.
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Linda P.

Paradise FOUND!!!

I searched for days online to find just the right property for our friends and us to rest and relax together, and enjoy each other's company. Two of us couples are from the US, and one couple has lived in the DR for 3 years. We stayed near Samana last year, but wanted to be closer to the good beaches this year. As soon as we arrived at El Secreto I was being "high-fived" and patted on the back for finding such a wonderful, clean, pretty, peaceful retreat - and very close to the beaches. When we left 5 days later there were more high-fives and back-pats. Everyone of the six of us enjoyed our stay at the Villa and bungalow immensely. We cooked and ate together, and then my husband and I adjourned to our bungalow to sleep. The weather was so nice that we only needed the ceiling fan in our room, and then only on 2 (out of 5). The furnishings were great, the kitchen fantastic, the pool outstanding, the deck unbelievable, and I could go on and on. We were met on our first day by Elizabeth who was extremely helpful and even purchased fresh shrimp for us one day. There were eggs, ham, cheese, milk, butter, juice and bread for our first breakfast waiting for us on arrival. The foliage around the property is beautiful and lush, and the pool was very clean and well tended by two young men who came during the week to clean it. We celebrated two 60th and one 61st birthday while we were there, complete with birthday cakes we baked on site, as well as making a complete American Thanksgiving dinner (as our friends in the DR had not had that this past November) including turkey, the trimmings, and pumpkin pies baked in our villa. You do need to bring your own disposable cake, pie, large roasting pans, but everything else was available on site. We just can't say enough about what a wonderful time we had in our own private little paradise. Paradise el Secreto might be a better name. Thanks Jose, Bibi, and Elizabeth. This is truly a property where the pictures don't lie. What you see is what you get!!!!
Archival

10/10 Excellent

william o.

super spot to relax. responsive owner.

pros: * great location. * short walk to the beach * easy walk to town for all kinds shopping * super responsive and friendly owner and local property manager * clean and highly functional home * kitchen is well stocked with utensils, dishes and pots -though could use sharper kitchen knives * air condition in bedrooms * working wifi -successfully streamed netflix movies to tv * swimming pool * great outdoor patio/deck * beautiful yard * quiet and seemingly safe neighborhood * great beach * secured parking -compact cars only, i mean that. don't rent/bring a big car. our little nissan sentra was challenging enough. * hot showers. * water dispenser for 5 gallon bottles cons: * white paint in pool rubs off when touched and stains skin. requiring soap and water to remove. so, we avoided the pool. thankfully beach is close and way more fun. * several power outages means no running water * mosquitoes -the nature of tropical rainforests comments: we spent a week here and enduring several power outages. during power outage, water stops running. buy plenty of water. the five gallon bottle is very inexpensive to refill. make sure to bring the 5 gallon bottle in the house to the supermarket and receive a deposit otherwise it will cost more than five times the cost. bring flashlight for night walks to town and for power outages -perhaps even bring LED lantern for outages. plenty of candles in the house. for walks to town, it may make sense to bring a personal light flasher -like the ones on bicycles. road's mostly unlit, narrow and motorcycles and cars often drive faster than seems sensible. buy citronella from supermarket for mosquitoes. lots of mosquitoes. if you wants something less toxic than the typical mosquitoes body repellents -like the brand "deep woods off", consider bringing your own mosquito repellent. overall, great spot to relax. perhaps, the most relaxing vacation that i've spent anywhere. i'd definitely stay here again. thank you.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Kristi L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

6 days in paradise!

Villa El Secreto has been one of my favorite VRBOs EVER! Bibi was awesome about communicating with us; including giving me a heads up that the day of arrival was a national holiday, so we should be prepared for beach traffic. (There was traffic!) But, then we turned down this little side street and all the hustle and bustle faded away. The pictures of the property are lovely, but they don't quite capture the vibe of being there. Drinking coffee every morning on the terrace, is an amazing way to start your day. We had rented a small SUV to get from Punta Cana to Las Terrenas (via Santo Domingo for a day). While driving took some initial adjustments, I'm glad we did, as we were able to do day trips outside of Las Terrenas and hall around our groceries. There was plenty of space for the vehicle in the car port. That being said, two of the days we spent in Las Terrenas, we just walked down the street to Las Bellenas beach and that was all we needed. Getting to town would be a little bit of a hike, but you could walk down to the beach road and easily catch a moto for about 100$ pesos per person. You can tell that Jose and Bibi have very high standards for their home. It was appreciated. The kitchen was well equipped and we were able to cook many of our meals at home. Besides the mosquitos (which Bibi warned us were prevalent), we didn't encounter any creepy, crawly critters. We did have an issue with the a/c in the smaller house (pretty sure it was user error) and they sent Kelvin over right away to deal with it. And, because it was January, we hardly even used it. If you have never been to the Dominican Republic before, I encourage you to get out and explore the region. My daughter is living and working in Samana, so we meandered our way through the mountains and went whale watching in Samana Bay. Hump back whales migrate to Samana Bay between January 15 and the end of March. I highly recommend using Whale Samana as the guides. The owner, Kim, is a researcher so when you are out on the boat you learn a lot about hump back whales and she is extremely conscientious about not interfering with their natural environment/patterns. (We noticed some of the other tour boats kind of following Kim's boat around so they could site the whales as well.) I can't say enough about our trip and our stay at Villa El Secreto. Can't wait to go back!
Stayed 6 nights in Jan 2022
Archival

8/10 Good

Kendall N.

Lovely Little Villa 150 yards straight to the best beach in Las Terrenas!

If you are a needy 5 star all inclusive traveler this is not the place for you! But if you want a nice little villa with all the basics and a wonderful pool that's about a 150 yard saunter down a narrow gravel road to arrive on Las Bellenas Beach (the nicest beach in Las Terrenas) Book it now! We pestered poor Bibi with lots and lots of questions and changes to our plans and she was so fantastic to deal with! Her property manager Kelvin was excellent. The lock on our entrance gate broke on a Saturday and he was there first thing Monday morning with a lock installer! We almost didn't book El Secreto because the location on the VRBO map shows it at the very end of the beach up by the Golf Project Road, the confusion might be that El Secreto is actually on Ave Marico and not Calle Marico and hence it's located at a perfect spot along beach. We took full advantage of the BBQ and kitchen to cook most of our breakfasts and dinners although don't look for any deals at either of the big grocery stores Pola (our fav) or Lindo. We bought fresh fish regularly from the fresh fish market on Punta Popy Beach about a 2.5 km beach or street walk into town, look for Danny (Dominican who spent time in the US and speaks better English than I do). Again prices not cheap here either but fish was wonderful and fresh everyday! Electricity costs for 2 weeks was $76 US although we only had to run the AC one night, fans were enough. Las Terrenas the town and area! We did so much walking, our choice, exploring the area day and night (take your flashlights)! In the daytime you can't mistake the sense of security with elderly people, families and singles on the go everywhere! However at night it's a different vibe, we walked home from dinner at Chez Sandro in Punta Popy on Saturday night and it was pretty wild through town as it was the DR day off Sunday. As well the guards at most entrances of the hotels and villa complexes have guns and the places that don't have guards have guard dogs! At one of the nice villas near El Secreto on our walk that same night we literally thought 2 huge dogs were coming through the fence, they didn't and we decided to continue our walk up the beach side of the road. Speaking of dogs, if you don't like dogs Las Terrenas is not for you. Besides the guard dogs there are lots of dogs in general on the beach and streets and for the most part they are very friendly although we ran across a couple that were a little stand-offish! THANKS BIBI!
Archival

8/10 Good

Sandra N.

Simple, comfortable and Cute Villa.

Overall, this was a nice villa to stay at. Accommodations were fine, pool was refreshing, the yard was nice and it has a very nice feel to it. Bibi was absolutely fantastic with checking in while we were there to ensure we were doing alright and helped us to book some extras like deep sea fishing, a personal cook named Kenya that made memorable and delicious Dominican dinners for us, braiding hair, and more. The villa had what we needed there, though it is on the simpler side. Some of the boards around the pool could use replacing, but nothing urgent. The property is well cared for and kept respectfully clean. Air conditioners worked great. Mosquitoes found in the bedrooms and bathroom mostly, so bring some bug spray for night time. Location wise, the villa is a 5 min walk to a very long and lovely looking beach in each direction, with palm trees lining the roadway running along it. The beach was a fun place to be. Lovely warm and calm water. Good for the kids to swim in. We found there was quite a bit of sea grass, though it didn't bother us. We did have to be careful walking around on the roads and beach. It was too bad to see garbage left around, though I understand the week prior to our visit there was an huge annual week long party on the island and it was taking a while for remnants of the celebrations to get cleaned up. Another gorgeous beach to visit is Playa Bonita... a little off the beaten path, bigger waves for boogie boarding or surfing on one side and a perfect shallow calm wading area too. It was about a 15 minute taxi ride and about $30US return. We loved it here! Town is a good 15-20 min walk from the villa either on the beach or on the road. Lots of traffic on the road, so you need to keep your eyes up. Shopping at La Pola grocery store worked for us as if you spend over $2000 DR pesos, they can give you a ride back to the villa at no cost. WONDERFUL! As there isn't potable water in the villa, it did take a little more effort in getting the big water jugs back to the villa. The driver from La Pola was kind enough to stop on our way back to the villa sometimes, or you can hire someone going by on a scooter or quad to run you into town to get new bottles. We had a 6 and 8 year old on this trip. They loved the pool, though how the villa is situated, they didn't meet any other kids to play with nearby or on the beach. Bring games and toys with you. Thanks Bibi and Jose. We enjoyed our stay!
Verified

8/10 Good

Louise P.

Liked: Cleanliness, communication, location, listing accuracy
Disliked: Check-in

Séjour agréable à la Villa El Secreto

Nous sommes restés 3 semaines à la villa et notre séjour fut agréable. Le quartier est tranquille et c'est ce que nous recherchions. La villa est confortable et nous avons apprécié la terrasse et la piscine. Cependant la salle de bain du petit bungalow mériterait une rénovation, la douche était envahie de mosquitos systématiquement tous les jours! Aussi nous aurions aimé avoir à notre disposition des produits de nettoyage, il n'y en avait tout simplement pas. Le ménage est fait une fois la semaine et ce fut très bien mais nous aurions apprécié avoir le nécessaire pour effectuer des retouches surtout aux salles de bain et il y aurait eu certainement moins de mosquitos! Par deux fois nous avons dû demander le papier de toilette, au contrat il est mentionné qu'il est fourni mais il n'y en a tout simplement pas en réserve. Au niveau de l'équipement, le BBQ est à changer. Nous avons manqué de gaz propane, il y a bien 2 bonbonnes de gaz mais la 2ième était vide. L'accueil n'a pas été à la hauteur, en fait il n'y en a pas eu. Nous sommes arrivés au début de l'après-midi mais la villa n'était pas prête - check in à 4:00hres. Nous avons laissé nos valises et quand nous sommes revenus, vers 4:hres, il n'y avait plus personne. Mais somme toute, nous sommes très satisfait de notre séjour!
Stayed 20 nights in Mar 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Heidi L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect family vacation

Beautiful and comfortable vacation spot for our family in Las Terranas! We loved the pool and the location close to the beach.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

David A.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Welcome to Las Terrenas

For a first visit into the area, the surroundings seemed idyllic with miles of coconut and palm lined beaches, numerous restaurants and bars, and an access road with lots of foot traffic. There is easy access to moped rentals, grocery stores, and most other incidentals within walking distance. The place itself is uniquely accommodating with a separate fully equipped cabana for another couple apart from the main house. The main house has three beds in two rooms. We had amazing communication and assistance from Nora and her property manager Kelvin.
Stayed 7 nights in Jan 2022

About the host

Hosted by Bibi Betancourt - Jose Morales

Host profile image
We fell in love with Las Terrenas the first time we visited and after searching for a beach house in many places in Central and South America.
Beautiful mountains, breathtaking beaches, great weather, and a village where people still know each other are part of why we choose Las Terrenas. When we bought Villa El Secreto, the property was in terrible shape; we have spent much time and effort repairing it and adding all the details that make it a much-loved home.
Originally, we visited the house on holidays, and as friends and family joined us, we were encouraged to offer the property for others to enjoy the house and the beauty and people of Las Terrenas. We are glad we did as we very much like having guests from all over the world!!!
Our home in Las Terrenas is still our favorite place to get away; we visit as much as our work permits, maintain it as if we were there, and enjoy many happy memories while waiting for the next time to return.
We hope you too enjoy our home and Las Terrenas as much as we do.

Why they chose this property

Villa El Secreto has been consistently rated as one of the top rentals in Las Terrenas and reviewed by guests for outstanding guest service and value for a private villa. We offer a great location outside the village but close enough to all amenities. Las Ballenas beach, one of the most beautiful and calm beaches in the area is a five-minute walk from the property. The villa is located in a quiet, residential area with mostly year-long residents. The property is fenced in all sides and the pool is exclusively for the use of guests.

What makes this property unique

The villa is located in a quiet, residential area, a short walk to Las Ballenas beach, and a walking distance or short drive to town. The living room and kitchen are open to the pool and beautiful mature gardens. Property is fenced on all sides and set back from main roads. Bungalow allows for families and couples to share time but maintain privacy.

Languages:

English, Spanish, Portuguese
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