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

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

On the beach, sun loungers, beach towels
Pool
Exterior detail
Smart TV, books, music library
Fridge, microwave, oven, stovetop

Reviews

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional

Entire home

3 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 6

Popular amenities

  • Hot Tub
  • Dryer
  • Parking available
  • Pool
  • Barbecue grill
  • Kitchen

Explore the area

Map
Las Terrenas, Samana
  • Playa Ballenas
    ‪3 min walk‬
  • Plaza Rosada Shopping Center
    ‪7 min drive‬
  • Playa Bonita
    ‪14 min drive‬
  • Samana (AZS-El Catey Intl.)
    ‪46 min drive‬

Room options

About the neighborhood

Las Terrenas

On the beach.Within a 5-minute walk of the villa, you'll find Playa Ballenas and Cayos Las Ballenas. Also, La Iglesia Beach is within half a mile (1 km) and Beach Garden Plaza is within 2 miles (3 km).
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What's nearby

  • Playa Ballenas - 3 min walk - 0.2 miles
  • La Iglesia Beach - 14 min walk - 0.8 miles
  • Haitian Caraibes Art Gallery - 6 min drive - 1.9 miles
  • Plaza Rosada Shopping Center - 7 min drive - 2.1 miles
  • Playa Bonita - 14 min drive - 4.8 miles

Getting around

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

Restaurants

  • ‪El Lugar - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪El Mosquito Art Bar - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪Cayuco En Bonita - ‬17 min drive
  • ‪El Loro - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪De Charlie Mariscos - ‬9 min drive

About this property

Entire place

You'll have the entire home to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.

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.

Property manager

Bibi Betancourt - Jose Morales

Languages

English, Portuguese, Spanish

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Property amenities

Beach

  • On the beach
  • Beach loungers
  • Beach towels

Ski

  • Ski-in/ski-out access

Pool/Spa

  • Hot tub
  • Massage
  • Private pool

Internet

  • Available in the villa: Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Limo/town car service
  • Car recommended
  • Onsite parking options include a garage

Kitchen

  • Blender
  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Electric kettle
  • Kitchenette
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Paper towels
  • Refrigerator
  • Stovetop
  • Toaster

Dining

  • Chef service
  • Dining table

Bedrooms

  • 3 bedrooms
  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • 2 bathrooms
  • Shower
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Living spaces

  • Dining table
  • Living room

Entertainment

  • Books
  • Games
  • Music library
  • Smart TV with cable/satellite channels

Outdoor areas

  • Barbecue grill
  • Fenced yard
  • Garden
  • Outdoor furniture
  • Patio

Laundry

  • Dryer
  • Laundry facilities

Work spaces

  • Desk
  • Desk chair

Comfort

  • Air conditioning

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Suitability/Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • Wheelchair accessibility
  • Smoke-free property

Services and conveniences

  • Iron/ironing board
  • Meal delivery service
  • Safe

Location highlights

  • In a village
  • In the city center
  • Near a health/beauty spa
  • Near a hospital
  • Near the marina
  • Near the sea
  • On the waterfront

Things to do

  • Ski-in/ski-out access
  • Birdwatching nearby
  • Cycling nearby
  • Ecotours nearby
  • Fishing nearby
  • Hiking/biking trails nearby
  • Horseback riding nearby
  • Jet skiing nearby
  • Mountain climbing nearby
  • Sailing nearby
  • Scuba diving nearby
  • Snorkeling nearby
  • Spelunking nearby
  • Surfing/bodyboarding nearby
  • Swimming nearby
  • Water skiing nearby
  • Whale watching nearby
  • Windsurfing nearby

Safety features

  • Carbon monoxide detector (host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property)
  • Smoke detector (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
  • Deadbolt lock

General

  • Garden

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 4:00 PM
Minimum check-in age: 25

Check-out

Check-out before 10:00 AM

Special check-in instructions

You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Children and extra beds

  • Children are welcome.
  • Note from host: Pool is not fenced

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
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Note from host: NO PARTIES OR EVENTS, very quiet neighborhood.
Long-term renters welcome
Host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a deadbolt lock
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation
Charges for extra guests may apply and vary according to property policy.
A cash deposit, credit card, or debit card for incidental charges and government-issued photo identification may be required upon check-in.
Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in. Special requests can't be guaranteed and may incur additional charges.
    This property is managed by a private host, not a professional engaged in trade or business. Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited. Note from host: NO PARTIES OR EVENTS, very quiet neighborhood. Long-term renters welcome. For guests' safety, the property includes a carbon monoxide detector, a smoke detector, and a deadbolt lock in each accommodation.

Frequently asked questions

How close is El Secreto-charming, private villa walking distance to Las Ballenas beach & town to the airport?

This villa is 17.8 mi (41-min drive) away from the Samana (AZS-El Catey Intl.) airport, the closest popular airport to the property.

Does El Secreto-charming, private villa walking distance to Las Ballenas beach & town have an airport shuttle?

Airport shuttle services are not available at this villa.

How close is El Secreto-charming, private villa walking distance to Las Ballenas beach & town to the beach?

This villa is on the beach. Don't forget your sunscreen!

Does El Secreto-charming, private villa walking distance to Las Ballenas beach & town offer free breakfast?

This villa does not offer free breakfast.

Is there a casino at El Secreto-charming, private villa walking distance to Las Ballenas beach & town?

No, there is no casino at this villa.

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.

Is there free parking at El Secreto-charming, private villa walking distance to Las Ballenas beach & town?

Free parking is not available at this villa.

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

Yes, there's a private pool.

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

This villa doesn't have a spa, but it does offer massages.

How close is El Secreto-charming, private villa walking distance to Las Ballenas beach & town to downtown Las Terrenas?

This villa is 1.2 mi away from Las Terrenas.

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

Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

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

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Maray. p.

Short stay with Family

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

10/10 Excellent

Kristi L.

Liked: Cleanliness

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

10/10 Excellent

Dahiana M.

Liked: Cleanliness

Am

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

10/10 Excellent

Patrick B.

Liked: Cleanliness

Nice place to stay

No complaints all was good
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

herbert h.

Liked: Cleanliness

Vacations 2023

Good times
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

Dahiana M.

Liked: Cleanliness

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

10/10 Excellent

Brian B., Toronto

Liked: Cleanliness

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

8/10 Good

Louise P.

Liked: Cleanliness

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

10/10 Excellent

Heidi L.

Liked: Cleanliness

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

10/10 Excellent

Kristi L.

Liked: Cleanliness

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

10/10 Excellent

David A.

Liked: Cleanliness

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

10/10 Excellent

Laura W.

Liked: Cleanliness

Beautiful home and beaches!

This home was absolutely stunning and the surrounding beaches couldn't be more relaxing. Though our vacation got cut short, Beatrice was fantastic to work with and incredibly responsive. From making sure that we were comfortable when we arrived to helping us secure a Covid test before leaving early, we were sad to leave. The only tips that I could offer for future guests is to be sure to have a SIM card for your phone so that it works in another country and also have someone with you that can easily communicate with the locals. My husband and I are not fluent (but were inspired to be during this trip!) and found the language barrier to be tough at times. All-in-all, Las Terrenas is beautiful and is a must see!
Stayed 7 nights in Dec 2021

10/10 Excellent

Robert D., South Haven, MI (USA)

Liked: Cleanliness

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

10/10 Excellent

Rhadames V.

Liked: Cleanliness

Just amazing

I’m going back soon

10/10 Excellent

James C.

Liked: Cleanliness

Happy birthday 🎂 Lina

Very cozy very quiet, beautiful and very organized etc we would go back again

8/10 Good

Leonardo M., Dominican Republic

Nice place located in great neighborhood

This property is a nice place to have fun with your family and has everything you need, has an excellent location near to the playa las ballenas and the concierge is very diligent and helpful.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2020

10/10 Excellent

Danielle D., Ste Anne des Plaines

Liked: Cleanliness

Petit paradis février-mars 2020

Le secret! Il est quand vous franchissez le portail. Un petit paradis sur terre. L'endroit est parfait pour relaxer loin du bruit de la route et du village. Propreté A1. Bibi, la propriétaire a toujours été présente tout au long de notre séjour et que dire de Kelvin! Un petit coeur à qui il ne faut pas hésiter de demander. L'intérieur est cosy t la cuisine parfaite pour quelqu'un qui aime cuisiner. L'extérieur, la piscine, un bijou où à la fin de la journée te permet de te détendre. La plage est à 7 minutes de marche et le village un bon 20 mn. Il est préférable de toute fa`con à Las Terrenas de se louer une moto ou 4 roues! En profitez pour aller sur la plage de Portillo, Coson aussi. Par regret nous avons du écourter nos deux mois à cause du COVID. Si vous avez une maison à louer avec son petit bungalow, n'hésitez pas, vous serez en sécurité tout en profitant des bruits de la végétation qui entoure toute la propriété. Bonne vacances!
Stayed 56 nights in Feb 2020

10/10 Excellent

Michelle C.

Liked: Cleanliness

El Secreto was very lovely!

This property is exactly as advertised. We were very pleased.
Stayed 7 nights in Feb 2020

10/10 Excellent

Tracey D.

Liked: Cleanliness

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

10/10 Excellent

Jeff R.

Liked: Cleanliness

El Secreto Villa

Loved it

10/10 Excellent

Marie-Josee Q.

Liked: Cleanliness

Perfect for our family vacation !

The villa was perfect for our first family vacation. When we arrived everything was super clean and it had everything we needed. Super close to the beach and restaurants. Great tours too avail close by. We had fun at the pool and if ever we needed anything or had questions we could always reach out Kelvin (the person who looks after the villa) he is super nice and knowledgable. Definitely recommend the villa !!
Stayed 9 nights in Dec 2019

10/10 Excellent

Dianne H.

Liked: Cleanliness

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

10/10 Excellent

Arlene V.

Liked: Cleanliness

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

10/10 Excellent

Darlene M., British Columbia, Canada

Just what we needed!

We loved the time we spent in Las Terrenas and at El Secreto! It was private, relaxing and beautiful! Loved the proximity to everything as well as the open communication from Bibi and Kelvin as well...although we need to learn a little more Spanish. Thank goodness for google translator Can not wait to return! Would definitely rent this villa again for me and my husband’s quiet get away as well as for our family time! Thanks Bibi
Stayed 7 nights in Apr 2019

10/10 Excellent

Angie H., SAUK CENTRE

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