Cabarete, famously known for kite surfing, is the perfect Caribbean getaway destination for those looking for a little more adventure and edge to their stay in paradise. What makes Cabarete an ideal destination is the mixture of activities available for everyone. You can have a fully relaxed day full of spa treatments and yoga or adventure to the nearby beach for kite surfing and adrenaline-infused water sports.
Cabarete is located on the Dominican Republic's Northern Coast. A 45 min drive from Puerto Plata, 3 hr drive from Santo Domingo, 3 hr 20 min drive from Samaná or a 5 hr 40 min drive from Punta Cana. We recommend spending a minimum of 4 days in Cabarete.
It's actually on my bucket list to hang out in Cabarete for a whole month and learn how to surf!
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Transportation in Cabarete, Dominican Republic
We rented a car at the airport and drove from Santo Domingo to Cabarete. The drive from Santo Domingo to Cabarete was approximately 3 hours. The highway is well-maintained, so it was a smooth drive for us. On our way, we were greeted with a very scenic mountain top view as we passed Santiago. Keep in mind that on this route, you'll pass several toll booths, so make sure to have some Dominican pesos at hand.
Uber in Cabarete, Dominican Republic.
There is no Uber available in Cabarete. Local taxis are available; make sure to negotiate a price before getting in.
Do I need a car in Cabarete, Dominican Republic?
We loved having a car at our disposal. However, if you like walking and decide to stay in the downtown area of Cabarete, a vehicle might not be necessary.
Accomodations in Cabarete
Cabarete, Dominican Republic Hotels
If you're looking for accommodations in Cabarete, I highly recommend staying at Natura Cabana. However, please note that this hotel is located in Sosua, a 5-minute walk from Encuentro Beach. If you decide to stay at Natura Cabana, we recommend having a car or taxi to access Kite beach and the downtown area.
Here's a video of our hotel stay:
Safety in Cabarete, Dominican Republic
Cabarete, in general, is a laid-back beach town in the Dominican Republic. On the other hand, the downtown area is a bit more active. We've never experienced any theft problems while exploring the Dominican Republic. Still, we advise you to be more mindful of your belongings while walking in the downtown area of Cabarete and don't leave your belongings unattended while at the beach and or restaurants.
Things to do in Cabarete, Dominican Republic
Cabarete 4-Day Complete Itinerary Travel Guide
Day 1-- Travel to / Arrival and settling in Cabarete.
The closest airport to Cabarete is located in Puerto Plata if you're flying in. We will be driving from Santo Domingo to Cabarete and arriving at Cabarete at 3 pm for check-in at Natura Cabana Boutique Hotel and Spa-- where we will be spending the next four nights. Take this day to enjoy all the amenities this ocean-front boutique hotel has to offer.
Sample Itinerary (please adjust according to your needs.)
3:00 pm- Check-in at Natura Cabana Boutique Hotel & Spa
3:30 pm- Enjoy welcome drinks while settling-in
4:00 pm- Cool off and take a dip in the pool
6:00 pm- Have dinner at Natura overlooking the sun setting
Day 2-- Yoga, Kite Surfing, and Horseback Riding
Sample Itinerary (please adjust according to your needs.)
10:00 am- Book a yoga class at Natura Cabana
I found my center, my balance, my Zen at Natura Cabana.
12:00 pm- Breakfast at Karaya Restaurant
If it's your first time visiting the Dominican Republic, I highly recommend ordering a traditional Dominican Breakfast.
2:00 pm- Kite Surfing / Surfing Lessons at Chino Surf School in Encuentro Beach
Don't know how to surf? Not a problem! A handful of surfing schools are available to train, from beginners to experts! It's actually on my bucket list to hang out in Cabarete for a whole month and learn how to surf!
Cabarete is one of the world's top 7 best locations for kitesurfing!
Don't Forget to try the local Dominican beer "Presidente."
6:00 pm- Dinner at La Casita de Papi in Kite Beach
Papi's is famous for its delicious seafood among the locals!
Day 3-- El Choco National Park, Downtown Cabarete, and a Hidden Restaurant
Sample Itinerary (please adjust according to your needs.)
9:00 am- El Choco National Park
Inside the forest, you'll find El Choco National Park, an underground cave system who's use dates back to the Tainos ( who were the indigenous peoples of the Dominican Republic.)
The entrance fee to "El Choco National Park" is $20 US dollars for tourists and $10 US dollars for Dominican residents with ID proof. On a tour, travelers can hike, swim, and explore the underground caves. The average time for visiting the caves is about 3 hours, and certified divers can explore the dark and deep sweet waters of Cueva cristal.
12:00 pm- Downtown Cabarete
Don't forget to walk around the downtown area in Cabarete. One of my favorite Dominican ice cream chain stores can be found here "Helados Bon." Helados Bon is a staple of Dominican Ice Cream. Being back at this shop from over 20 years ago filled me with nostalgia. I was born in Santo Domingo and grew up eating Helados Bon.
1:00 pm- Hidden Restaurant in Cabarete "Wilson's La Boca"
We're heading now on an adventure! We're traveling to what seems to be the middle of nowhere, searching for a local restaurant with the best seafood in town. The road is rocky, narrow, and not the easiest to navigate. Still, we will travel for food! If you're foodies like us, we highly recommend adding this hidden restaurant to your list of things to do in Cabarete and setting about 3 to 4 hours to enjoy the experience fully.
We're heading to a river called Yasica and from there taking a boat to the restaurant.
If you want to learn kitesurfing during your stay in Cabarete, I highly prefer and recommend learning at this river. The waves are calmer, and the environment is a bit more controlled than the open sea- Plus, it's right across my favorite place to eat in Cabarete. This trip can quickly become a day trip if you add some kite surfing and lazy river tubing to your day.
Visiting Wilson's restaurant "La Boca" is a must-do! It was one of the best meals we had in the Dominican Republic; this rustic riverside restaurant offers the best local seafood dishes.
6:00 pm Sunset Horseback Ride
A relaxing activity to add to your stay in Cabarete is going horseback riding.
Meet Blondie, my beautiful, willful, and stubborn horse for the day. I highly recommend going on a beach horseback ride at sunset. The weather is better, and the sky views are out of this world! We booked our ride at 8 am to avoid the harsh mid-day sun, but there were morning flies everywhere, so I would avoid early mornings if you could. When booking your ride, you'll have the option of riding saddle on the coastal forest or the beach. We did both, and if I had to choose again, I would opt for horseback riding on the beach. We booked our rides directly for our hotel. I recommend wearing long pants; my shorts were a big mistake; my legs kept scraping against the rigid leather horse seat. The style of horseback riding in the Dominican Republic is "vaquero" style, so you hold the horse by the two reins when riding.
Day 4-- Full Day Adventure Excursion
Cabarete is full of adventurous things to do. For day 4, book a guided excursion. They'll pick you up directly from your hotel, provide training/tour guide, and lunch in most cases. Here are some of my favorite tours to book in Cabarete, Dominican Republic.
27 Waterfalls of Damajagua Where you get to explore 27 different waterfalls.
Puerto Plata City Tour | Isabel de Torres For hiking and Cable Cart Panoramic View.
I hope you found this guide to Cabarete helpful! Thanks for reading. Don't forget to share this blog post with a friend. The Dominican Republic is such an incredible place to visit! If you have any questions about visiting the Dominican Republic leave a comment below.
Till next time!
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