For flights from the United States or Europe, the recommended airport is Las Americas (SDQ), a 3-hour drive from OCAMA.
OCAMA, a 35-acre oceanfront luxury retreat, is perched on the verdant tropical hillsides above the stunning Bay of Rincon. Our intimate boutique retreat features just 8 private villas, each offering five star service, incomparable views and access to three exquisite beaches via enchanting jungle pathways. Seamlessly marrying luxury with the tropical outdoors, the property retains a feeling of peace and seclusion unmatched by larger luxury boutique resorts. Immerse yourself in the beauty of nature, enriched by exceptional amenities and personalized service. Leave your cares behind and embark on a rejuvenating journey unlike any other. Whether you’re craving peace or adventure, we welcome you to disconnect, unwind, and allow yourself to be pampered in your own private sanctuary.
Our core values serve as constant inspiration and guidance, reminding us of our identity and purpose. They represent our unwavering commitment to exceeding expectations, ensuring that we establish a sanctuary that authentically embodies our mission and values.
We strive to deliver the highest standards in every aspect, from providing comfortable, elegant, and luxurious settings to offering exceptional dining experiences and guest services. Our aim is to ensure that our guests receive the very best of everything we have to offer.
This is the heart of our service philosophy. We prioritize genuine care and warmth in every interaction, ensuring that each guest feels valued and welcomed. Our goal is to create memorable experiences through attentive service and thoughtful gestures that reflect our dedication to hospitality.
At the core of our business, we prioritize people by actively engaging in our local community’s development and fostering strong relationships with our guests and service providers. We believe in being an integral part of the community fabric, contributing positively, and nurturing meaningful connections with everyone we interact with.
Our retreat seamlessly blends into the local landscape and community, creating a peaceful oasis for people and wildlife and embracing environmentally-friendly practices, being socially responsible, and promoting sustainability.
With just eight villas spread across 35-acres of lush forest, we have meticulously ensured minimal disruption to the delicate natural ecosystem. The eco-friendly design of our beautiful villas promotes a low environmental footprint, while providing casual, comfortable luxury.
“This is my happy place. It is the culmination of all my passions rolled into one exceptional travel destination; nature, cultural history, cuisine, architectural design and a laid back tropical vibe.
Please enjoy all that the spectacular 35-acre Ocama retreat has to offer!
My hope is that this becomes your happy place too!”
Much love,
Mark Andrus
Many years ago, our founder, Mark Andrus, embarked on an adventurous backpacking journey through Central America and the Caribbean in search of the most beautiful, tranquil, and healing place imaginable. After nine months of exploration, he finally discovered an oasis that was to eventually become Ocama.
Creating this magnificent retreat took many years of planning and design to ensure that it would remain in harmony with the spectacular and delicate surrounding ecosystem. From hand-laid stone roads to homes carefully positioned along the natural contours of the hillsides, the aim was to collaborate with nature rather than disrupt it. Great care was taken to minimize environmental impact. Today, with our living green roofs and perimeters, the retreat coexists peacefully with its surroundings, seamlessly blending into the tropical forest.
Each home is strategically positioned high on the hillsides to take advantage of the tropical breezes. Stairways, designed to enhance this natural cooling process in every room, run centrally through the residences. While the bedrooms and dining room are equipped with air conditioning, we invite you to simply slide open your doors and switch on your ceiling fan to live comfortably in sync with nature, minimizing the need for air conditioning.
Our ongoing goal is to find innovative ways to preserve this remarkable natural habitat and contribute to the well-being of the earth.
Within 3 hours from Las Americas International Airport (SDQ) in Santo Domingo, Ocama is located at the tip of the Dominican Republic’s northeast coast, in the picturesque town of Las Galeras, peninsula of Samaná.
If you are traveling from Canada, El Catey International Airport (AZS) is the closest airport. Major towns of Puerto Plata (POP) and Punta Cana (PUJ) are located within 5.5 to 6 hours.
We are also close to the town of Santa Barbara de Samaná, the province’s capital, also known as Samaná (40 minutes), as well as the vibrant town of Las Terrenas (1.5 hours).
Ocama is off the beaten path and for adventurous drivers! For more independent travelers, we recommend a small SUV, preferably a 4x4, as the retreat is at the bottom of a dirt road.
Many of our guests don’t have a car, and instead have us take care of their transportation needs with our trusted taxi drivers.
We serve as a liaison between our guests and local transportation services for airport transfers, pickup and drop-off at excursions, round trips to nearby towns or to Santo Domingo. We take care of scheduling the services and following up on them.
If you prefer to be more flexible with your time and travel, we are happy to organize a suitable rental vehicle for you. Matching our service level, the car gets delivered at the airport or to your villa and picked up from there again. There is no need to go into an office somewhere.
A combination solution is possible as well. You use the taxi service to get you safely from and to the airport. Then a local rental car for the duration of your stay. The car would get delivered right to your villa and picked up from there again. A small SUV, ideal for our region, would cost around $80 per day, fully insured.
Ocama has its own helicopter landing area and we are currently working on VIP helicopter transfer services.
For flights from the United States or Europe, the recommended airport is Las Americas (SDQ), a 3-hour drive from OCAMA.
Samaná El Catey (AZS) is the closest airport, a 90-minute drive from OCAMA.
However, currently, this airport is only serviced by airlines traveling from Canada or private charters.
Yes. To pick you up from the airport or drop you off, we work with a number of trusted drivers that belong to the local transportation cooperative.
Some of our guests choose to rent a vehicle at the airport and drive themselves, while many others choose to be driven by one of our trusted transport services.
The need for a rental car is quite personal and depends on whether you want to explore the area independently or if you are happy having us organize your outings. You can rent a vehicle at the airport, or we can organize a rental car delivered to your villa.
Ocama is off-the beaten path and for adventurous drivers! Should you decide to rent a vehicle, we recommend a small SUV, preferably a 4x4, as the retreat is at the bottom of a dirt road.
City: Samaná
Municipality: Samaná
Section: Las Galeras
Each of the 8 villas is located between 6 and 15 minutes walk from Playa del Amor. A 5-minute walk from Playa del Amor over a rocky path takes you to Playa Breman, while a 7-minute walk in the opposite direction takes you to Playa Ermitaño.
If you're not in the mood to walk, you can call for a ride and one of our staff will give you a lift to our closest beach, Playa del Amor. Chaise lounges are available; simple meals and cocktails can be ordered and delivered to you at the beach.
Pools are 4.6 feet (140cm) deep, with steps to get in and out of the pool.
Our villa prices do not include meals. Meals from our menu are charged separately.
Our Chef and his team prepare a variety of Dominican and international dishes on demand, delivered directly to your villa as room service.
Subject to availability, our Chef also offers private dinners featuring a tasting menu presented through a series of small courses. These dinners provide a unique blend of culinary and social experiences. Prices are detailed in our food menu.
Please note that meals are charged separately and are not included in the villa rate.
To help our chefs plan effectively for grocery shopping, meal preparation, and delivery, we kindly ask guests to inform us in advance of their meal preferences. Ordering times are specified on the menu.
Please also let us know if you have any dietary restrictions or food intolerances, so we are able to accommodate them accordingly.
You don’t need a lot of cash, but it is useful to have some on hand for toll booths (if you’re driving yourself), tips, restaurants, and gift shops. Las Galeras is generally a cash-only destination, with only two ATMs available. These ATMS are located within a 25-minute drive from Ocama. In the larger town of Samaná, about 45 minutes from Ocama, there are at least 6 ATMs located in 3 banks. For those coming from the airport, you can find ATMs in the airport, and there are 4 ATMs inside the OLE Hipermercado Supermarket just outside the airport.
In downtown Las Galeras the Western Union and Banreservas bank exchange cash USD to pesos.
All services that we organize for you, including on-site meals and drinks, excursions, spa sessions, taxis, rental cars, and tips can be billed to your room, and then paid for at the end of your stay, using one of several digital payment methods we offer. Some of the platforms include Airbnb Money Request, Zelle, and PayPal.
Depending on the platform, surcharges may apply.
If you are coming from the United States, you won’t need a plug converter or power adapter. The DR uses the same outlets and 110V AC as the United States.
If you are coming from Europe, you will need a plug converter and maybe a power adapter. Many electronic devices, like laptops, and phone chargers work on both 110V and 220V.
However, other devices from Europe, like electric shavers and hair dryers, only work on 220V and will require a power adapter.
We have several plug converters available for rent, but we do not have power adapters.
The Dominican Republic, contrary to other tropical destinations, is not known for its poisonous animals so encountering any insects or small animals (frogs, lizards, spiders) will be more of a nuisance than a health risk.
We implement a strict pest control policy and offer daily housekeeping service in our villas to ensure minimal entry of insects or other pests into our villas. However, as we are surrounded by a lush forest we recommend bringing repellent, keeping food sealed, avoiding leaving dirty dishes or crumbs out to help deter insects or other animals from entering the villa. Additionally, keeping doors and windows closed can help prevent them from entering.
If you have concerns about specific insects or allergies, it's best to let us know.
It can put a damper on your stay with us, if you check in, unzip your suitcase and realize you forgot something. If you forgot to pack an essential item, such as a toothbrush, razor, repellent, our small on-site shop, La Pulperia, will have them available for purchase to ensure your comfort. Most of the products we offer are eco-friendly, chosen carefully by our team to avoid the use of harsh chemicals or toxic components.
For cables and phone charges, depending on the type of cable required, we might have them available for loan.
Part of the Ocama concept is to promote connection with ourselves and the beautiful natural surroundings.
Our villas do not have televisions, but we offer an array of activities, such as hiking, beach hopping, excursions and other amenities such as complimentary Wi-Fi, board games, books, yoga and fitness equipment.
Ocama is located in a remote part of the island without supermarkets and with limited availability of supplies. Therefore we highly recommend you pass by a supermarket en route. If you come with one of our trusted taxi drivers, he will happily take you to one.
If you come on your own, we’ll provide you with the location of where to go shopping.
We offer a pre-arrival grocery shopping service for guests who are unable to do their own shopping.