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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 6700 sq m

Popular amenities

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

Explore the area

Map
Las Terrenas, Samana
  • Playa Ballenas
    ‪1 min walk‬
  • Haitian Caraibes Art Gallery
    ‪9 min drive‬
  • Playa Bonita
    ‪24 min drive‬
  • Las Terrenas (EPS-El Portillo)
    ‪16 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.

Property manager

Bibi Betancourt - Jose Morales

Languages

English, Portuguese, Spanish

Add dates for prices

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 Playa Ballenas and Cayos Las Ballenas. Samana Zipline 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.
Map
Las Terrenas, Samana

What's nearby

  • Playa Ballenas - 1 min walk - 0.1 km
  • La Iglesia Beach - 11 min walk - 1.0 km
  • Haitian Caraibes Art Gallery - 9 min drive - 4.2 km
  • Punta Popy Beach - 11 min drive - 5.2 km
  • Playa Bonita - 24 min drive - 7.9 km

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

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.

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

No, pets are not allowed at this 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.
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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

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

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

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

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

10/10 Excellent

herbert h.

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

Vacations 2023

Good times
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2023

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

10/10 Excellent

Brian B., Toronto

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

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

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

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

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

10/10 Excellent

Laura W.

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

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, 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

10/10 Excellent

Rhadames V.

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

Just amazing

I’m going back soon

10/10 Excellent

James C.

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

Happy birthday 🎂 Lina

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

8/10 Good

Leonardo M., Dominican Republic

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

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, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

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, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

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, 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

10/10 Excellent

Jeff R.

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

El Secreto Villa

Loved it

10/10 Excellent

Marie-Josee Q.

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

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, 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

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

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

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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