Cabarete

Welcome to Cabarete: The Dominican Republic's Adventure Capital

Tucked along the breezy North Coast about 25 minutes east of Puerto Plata, Cabarete Dominican Republic is a sun-soaked town that punches far above its weight. By day, it's a world-class playground for wind and water sports; by night, the main strip transforms into a barefoot party where bonfires flicker on the sand and salsa music drifts out of beachfront bars. What started as a sleepy fishing village in the 1980s has grown into one of the Caribbean's most beloved adventure-sports hubs — yet it still feels refreshingly local, unpretentious, and deeply Dominican.

Why Cabarete Is Special

Cabarete sits at the meeting point of mountain trade winds and Atlantic swell, creating near-perfect conditions for kitesurfing Cabarete enthusiasts and windsurfing veterans almost year-round. The bay's geography — a protective reef, steady cross-onshore winds, and warm 26°C water — has made it a pilgrimage site for board-sport athletes since the original windsurfing world cup landed here in 1988. But you don't have to be an expert to enjoy it. Schools line the beach offering lessons in English, French, German, Spanish, and Russian, and beginners often stand up on a kite board within a few sessions.

Beyond the wind sports, Cabarete has quietly become a hub for surfing (just up the road at Encuentro Beach), mountain biking in the foothills, canyoning in the nearby 27 Charcos waterfalls, and yoga retreats hidden in lush hillsides. It's also home to a remarkably international community — Canadians, Argentines, Italians, Germans, and Dominicans all share the same stretch of beach — giving the town a creative, multilingual energy you won't find elsewhere on the island.

Things to Do in Cabarete

Hit Kite Beach

Kite Beach, about 2 km west of town, is the epicenter of the action. Arrive after 11 a.m. when the thermal winds kick in and you'll see 100+ kites painting the sky. Even if you don't sail, grab a fresh ceviche from one of the beachfront shacks, order a Presidente, and watch the show. Sunset here, with the silhouettes of riders backlit gold, is unforgettable.

Take a Lesson

Reputable schools like Laurel Eastman Kiteboarding, GoKite, and Kite Club run multi-day IKO-certified courses. Expect to pay roughly US$80–110 per hour for private kitesurfing instruction or US$60–80 for windsurfing. Group lessons are cheaper. Three days of consistent practice is usually enough to ride independently.

Surf Encuentro Beach

A 10-minute drive west, Encuentro is the North Coast's surf headquarters. Mornings (6–10 a.m.) before the wind picks up are glassy and uncrowded. Board rentals run about US$20/day, lessons US$45–60.

Explore 27 Charcos de Damajagua

This series of 27 limestone waterfalls about 40 minutes away lets you jump, slide, and swim through turquoise pools. Entry is around RD$600 (about US$10) including a guide and life jacket. It's the single best half-day trip from town.

El Choco National Park

Just inland, this karst landscape hides limestone caves with stalactites, freshwater lagoons, and walking trails. Hire a local guide at the entrance for around US$25.

Cabarete Nightlife

Cabarete nightlife is legendary on the North Coast and refreshingly informal — flip-flops are the dress code. The action centers on the main beach strip, where bars set up tables and tiki torches directly in the sand. Start with sunset cocktails at Lax Ojo, drift to Onno's Bar for two-for-one mojitos and a younger crowd, then end the night dancing barefoot at Bambu or Cabarete Beach Club, where DJs spin reggaeton, bachata, and electronic music until 4 a.m. Wednesday and Saturday tend to be the biggest nights. For a more local vibe, walk a few blocks east to find Dominican colmados blasting merengue where a tall Presidente costs under US$2.

Where to Eat

• La Casita de Papi — legendary garlic shrimp, beachfront, candlelit.
• Vagamundo Coffee & Waffles — the expat breakfast staple; great flat whites.
• Gordito's Fresh Mex — cheap, generous tacos perfect after a windy session.
• Castle Club — a once-a-week reservation-only dinner up in the hills, hosted by an eccentric Canadian; one of the Caribbean's quirkiest meals.
• Mojito Bar — try the passionfruit mojito and the fresh-caught mahi.

Dinner mains run US$10–22 at most beachfront spots; street-side Dominican plates (chicken, rice, beans, plantains) cost US$5–7.

Best Time to Visit

Cabarete is a year-round destination, but conditions shift with the seasons. June through August brings the strongest, most consistent winds — peak season for kiters and windsurfers, plus warm dry days. December to April is the dry tourist high season with slightly lighter winds but better surf at Encuentro. September and October are the rainiest and overlap with hurricane risk — you'll find the cheapest hotels but the most uncertain weather.

How to Get There

Cabarete is a 20-minute taxi ride (about US$30–35) from Puerto Plata's Gregorio Luperón International Airport (POP), the most convenient gateway. From Santiago (STI) it's about 90 minutes by car; from Santo Domingo (SDQ) plan on 4 hours via the Autopista Juan Pablo II. Caribe Tours runs comfortable A/C buses from Santo Domingo to nearby Sosúa (about US$12), and a 10-minute taxi finishes the trip.

Practical Tips

• Cash matters. Many beach bars and small shops are cash-only. ATMs are on the main road but can run dry on weekends — withdraw on weekdays.
• Wind schedule. Mornings are calm (great for surfing, paddleboarding, lessons for nervous beginners). Wind builds from late morning and peaks 1–5 p.m.
• Walk, don't drive. The town is essentially one long beachfront street. Skip the rental car unless you plan day trips.
• Mosquito repellent is essential at dusk, especially during rainy season.
• Stay safe at night. Cabarete is laid-back, but don't leave valuables unattended on the beach and use registered taxis after dark.

A Place That Sticks With You

What makes Cabarete unforgettable isn't just the world-class wind or the parties — it's the way the town blends adrenaline with ease. You can take a kite lesson in the morning, eat fresh fish with your toes in the sand at lunch, hike to a waterfall in the afternoon, and dance under the stars at midnight. Few places in the Caribbean offer that range, and almost none do it with Cabarete's particular barefoot, multicultural soul.