Vista Mare is a great spot. The two secluded beaches are pristine and incredible. They can be a little bit unpredictable with waves breaking close in, as they sit in small coves that kind of channel or funnel in te waves, and amplify them a bit. We were fine swimming almost every day we were there, but on rougher days the waves were just too big to swim. Overall I loved swimming in the ocean here, but you always have to keep your eyes on the next wave, since bigger ones can come unexpectedly if you're not watching. If you see it though, just dive under it. Our kids who aren't strong swimmers had to be with us to watch for bigger waves. Even though re swimming is a little tricky, these two beaches are natural and clean and absolutely gorgeous. The xeliter resort service, which is like a third-party resort service company, has a security guard who operates the gate, a main office that does maintenance and room service calls, and a restaurant and a little shop for water, shampoo, beer, toothbrushes, chips and salsa, cigars, rum, and little random grocery items. The shop is overpriced for some things, but decently priced for others. The swimming pools are really nice. The restaurant is a little more expensive than comparable restaurants outside vista mare, but not by much. The food at the restaurant is actually really delicious, and they have some gourmet versions of local favorites. The service office is just so-so. We had a broken tv and room phone, and asked them to send a maintenance guy several times, and no one ever came. The girls who work behind the desk there are friendly, but seem to be on island time and don't really work hard for you if you ask, and most of them speak very poor English.
Overall, amazing spot, really nice comport able apartment. There are mango trees all over the grounds with mangos falling out of the sky. Coconuts on the beach, where usually there are a couple guys cutting them open for 50 cents (US) a piece. The surrounding areas, Los Cacaos, Samana and Las Galeras, are a quick taxi ($10-$20 US)or bus (GuaGua $2 US) ride away. We spent most of our excursions eating at great restaurants and making further excursions from the town of Las Galeras. It's a great little town, lots of ex-pat Europeans who run excellent restaurants and bakeries. Stay at vista mare and you won't regret it!
