Why Cabarete Hooked Me Immediately
I had been to beach towns before, but Cabarete felt different from the moment I arrived. The wind hit me as soon as I stepped out of the taxi — warm, steady, and persistent. Looking out across the bay, dozens of kites dotted the sky in every color imaginable, dancers on invisible strings above the turquoise water. The town itself was a single main road hugging the coast, lined with open-air restaurants, surf shops, and the kind of low-key energy that makes you immediately want to extend your stay.
Cabarete sits on the north coast of the Dominican Republic, about 20 minutes east of Puerto Plata. It is a small town with an outsized reputation. Professional kiteboarders and windsurfers from around the world come here to train, compete, and live. The trade winds that blow consistently from the northeast make this stretch of coast one of the most reliable wind-sport destinations on the planet. But even if you never touch a kite, this town delivers.
Kite Beach: Where the Magic Happens
Kite Beach is the main event, located about a kilometer east of the town center. The beach is wide and sandy, backed by a row of kite schools, board-rental shops, and casual restaurants. Every afternoon, the wind picks up and the beach transforms into a launchpad. Dozens of kiters take to the water simultaneously, and watching them from a beach chair with a cold Presidente in hand is genuinely mesmerizing.
I took a two-day introductory kite course here, and it was one of the best things I did in the Dominican Republic. The first day was all land-based — learning to control the trainer kite, understanding the wind window, practicing body dragging. The second day I was in the water with a full-size kite, and while I spent more time crashing than riding, the rush was incredible. My instructor told me most people need three to five days to get up and riding consistently, and I believe it. The learning curve is steep but addictive.
What makes Kite Beach special beyond the wind is the community. Kiters are social by nature, and the beach-bar scene after a session is lively and international. On any given afternoon, I heard French, German, Portuguese, and English mixing with Spanish. Everyone bonds over wind conditions, gear talk, and the shared adrenaline of the sport.
Wind Conditions and When to Come
The trade winds in Cabarete are remarkably consistent, but they do have seasonal peaks. January through March brings the strongest winds, averaging 15 to 25 knots on most days. This is prime kite season, and the town fills up accordingly — prices rise and schools get busy. June and July offer a second wind season that is slightly less crowded and more affordable. The shoulder months still produce rideable days, but you might have one or two flat days per week.
Mornings are typically calmer, with the thermal wind building through the afternoon. By 1 or 2 PM, conditions are usually ideal. This rhythm shapes the entire town’s schedule: mornings are for surfing, yoga, or exploring, and afternoons are for wind sports.
Cabarete Bay: The Social Heart
The main beach at Cabarete Bay is where the town’s social life unfolds. A crescent of sand stretches along the bay, and the water here is calmer than at Kite Beach, making it better for swimming and stand-up paddleboarding. Beach bars and restaurants sit with their tables literally in the sand, feet from the water’s edge.
I spent several evenings at the beachfront bars, watching the sun drop behind the mountains to the west while the sky turned from orange to deep purple. On Friday and Saturday nights, some of the bars bring in DJs or live merengue bands, and the energy shifts from chill to celebratory. The crowd is a mix of expats, locals, and travelers, and it is easy to fall into conversation.
Where to Eat and Drink on the Bay
Dining in Cabarete is refreshingly unpretentious. Most restaurants are open-air, with sand floors and wooden furniture. The seafood is excellent — fresh red snapper, grilled shrimp, and ceviche show up on nearly every menu.
For a sit-down meal, I keep going back to a few spots. There is a place near the center of the bay that does wood-fired pizza that rivals anything I have eaten in Italy, and a small Dominican-run restaurant on the inland side of the road where the mofongo con camarones (mashed plantain with shrimp) is absurdly good for about RD$500 (~$8.50 USD). For a splurge, the sushi restaurants that have opened in recent years are surprisingly legitimate, drawing from the fresh Atlantic catch.
Breakfast culture here is strong. Several cafes open early for the surfer crowd, serving strong Dominican coffee, fresh juice, and hearty plates. I made a habit of starting every day at a small roaster near the main intersection where they pull espresso shots from locally grown beans. A full breakfast with coffee runs about RD$400-600 (~$7-$10 USD).
Encuentro Beach: The Surf Break
If kiting is Cabarete’s headline act, surfing at Encuentro is the excellent opening band. Located about two kilometers west of town, Encuentro is the best surf break on the north coast. The reef break produces consistent waves that range from beginner-friendly on calmer days to overhead barrels when swells push in from the north.
I surfed here on a mellow morning with chest-high waves and had a fantastic session. The lineup was uncrowded compared to surf spots in Costa Rica or Bali, and the local surfers were friendly and willing to share waves. Board rentals run about RD$1,200 ($20 USD) for a half day, and several schools offer beginner surf lessons for around RD$3,500 ($60 USD) including equipment.
The beach at Encuentro is more rugged than Cabarete Bay — rocky in places with strong currents on bigger days. It is not a swimming beach, but the scenery is beautiful and there are a couple of surf shacks selling cold drinks and empanadas.
El Choco National Park
Just outside Cabarete, El Choco National Park is a hidden gem that most beach-focused visitors miss. The park covers a limestone landscape riddled with caves, sinkholes, and freshwater lagoons. A network of trails winds through tropical dry forest, and the main attractions are a series of caves you can explore on foot and a stunning lagoon where you can swim in cool, crystal-clear water surrounded by limestone walls.
I hired a local guide at the park entrance for about RD$1,000 (~$17 USD), and it was absolutely worth it. He knew every trail, pointed out endemic birds and medicinal plants, and led me to a cave with pre-Columbian Taino petroglyphs on the walls. The lagoon swim at the end was the perfect reward — the water was refreshingly cool after the hike, and I had the entire place to myself on a Tuesday morning.
The park entrance fee is about RD$200 (~$3.50 USD), and you can easily spend two to three hours exploring. Bring water, sunscreen, and shoes with grip — some of the limestone paths are slippery.
The Cabarete Caves and Lagoon
Separate from El Choco, the Cabarete Caves complex on the eastern edge of town offers another underground adventure. These are larger caves with impressive stalactite formations and underground pools. Several tour operators run guided trips that include headlamp exploration and swimming in the subterranean lagoons.
I did a morning cave tour that lasted about two hours and cost RD$2,000 (~$34 USD) with a guide. Wading through chest-deep water in a cave lit only by headlamps was an experience unlike anything else on the trip. The guide explained the geological formations and pointed out bats roosting in the upper chambers. It is not for the claustrophobic, but for anyone with a sense of adventure, it is unforgettable.
Adventure Sports Beyond the Water
Cabarete is not just about kiting and surfing. The surrounding area offers a range of adventure activities that take advantage of the north coast’s diverse terrain.
Canyoning and Zip-Lining
The river canyons south of Cabarete provide excellent canyoning experiences — a combination of rappelling down waterfalls, jumping into pools, and scrambling through gorges. Several outfitters run full-day canyoning trips for around RD$5,000-7,000 (~$85-$120 USD) including transport, equipment, and lunch. I did a half-day trip and rappelled down three waterfalls ranging from 10 to 25 meters. The adrenaline rush was real.
Zip-line tours through the forest canopy are also popular, with courses that send you flying over rivers and through treetops. These run about RD$3,000 (~$51 USD) and are suitable for families.
Mountain Biking
The hills behind Cabarete offer surprisingly good mountain biking on a network of trails that wind through rural communities, cacao farms, and tropical forest. Several shops in town rent quality mountain bikes for about RD$1,500 (~$25 USD) per day, and guided rides are available for those who want local trail knowledge. The riding is not technically extreme, but the scenery is gorgeous and you get a perspective on Dominican rural life that the beach never shows you.
The Expat Scene
Cabarete has one of the largest expat communities in the Dominican Republic, and this shapes the town’s character in noticeable ways. Europeans — particularly French, German, and Italian — have been settling here since the 1980s, drawn by the wind and the lifestyle. This international presence means the restaurant scene is diverse, English and French are widely spoken, and the town has a cosmopolitan energy that belies its small size.
Walking through town, you will find yoga studios, organic grocery shops, coworking spaces, and boutique fitness studios alongside traditional Dominican colmados and barbershops. This blend of cultures is part of what makes Cabarete distinctive. It feels simultaneously Dominican and international, and both sides coexist comfortably.
Nightlife
For a small town, Cabarete has a surprisingly active nightlife scene. The beach bars transition from sunset drinks to music and dancing as the evening progresses. On weekends, one or two spots emerge as the main gathering point — it shifts, and the best way to find the action is simply to walk the beach strip and follow the music.
The vibe is casual. Flip-flops and boardshorts are standard dress code. Drinks are affordable — a Presidente beer runs about RD$150-200 (~$2.50-$3.50 USD), and a rum and Coke is about the same. Local DJs mix merengue, bachata, reggaeton, and electronic music, and the dance floors are sand.
For something mellower, several wine bars and cocktail spots have opened in recent years, catering to the growing number of digital nomads and long-term residents. These tend to be on the inland side of the road and stay open later than the beach bars.
Practical Information
What’s the Best Way to Get Around Cabarete?
Cabarete is compact enough to walk everywhere. The main strip from Kite Beach to the western end of Cabarete Bay is about a 25-minute walk along the beach or the road. Motoconchos (motorcycle taxis) are everywhere and charge RD$50-100 ($1-$2 USD) for short hops within town. For trips to Encuentro Beach or El Choco, a motoconcho costs about RD$150-200 ($2.50-$3.50 USD).
Renting a scooter is popular and costs about RD$1,500-2,000 (~$25-$34 USD) per day. This gives you the freedom to explore the coast in both directions. Always negotiate the price before hopping on a motoconcho, and wear a helmet on scooters — the coastal road has fast-moving traffic.
Budget Breakdown
Cabarete can be done at various price points. Backpackers staying in hostels or guesthouses on the inland side can manage on about RD$2,500 ($42 USD) per day including accommodation, meals at local spots, and basic activities. Mid-range travelers in beachfront hotels eating at the better restaurants will spend around RD$7,500 ($128 USD) daily. Luxury visitors at boutique resorts with daily kite sessions and fine dining can expect RD$20,000+ (~$340+ USD) per day.
The biggest variable is activities. Kite lessons and equipment rental add up quickly, and multi-day courses are an investment. But the beach, the sunsets, and the people-watching are all free.
Money and Connectivity
ATMs are available along the main road, and most restaurants and shops accept credit cards, though some smaller Dominican spots are cash-only. Always carry some pesos for motoconchos and street food. The exchange rate fluctuates around RD$58-60 to $1 USD.
Wi-Fi is solid at most hotels, restaurants, and the coworking spaces in town. Several cafes cater specifically to the digital nomad crowd with fast connections, power outlets, and good coffee.
Is Cabarete Safe for Tourists?
Cabarete is generally safe, but use common sense. Do not leave valuables unattended on the beach. The main strip is well-populated and lit at night, but the back streets can be dark and less populated after hours. Stick to the main areas at night, and you will have no issues. The ocean demands respect — always check conditions before kiting or surfing, and listen to the locals about currents.
Day Trips from Cabarete
Cabarete makes an excellent base for exploring the north coast. Puerto Plata and its cable car to Mount Isabel de Torres are 20 minutes west. The 27 Waterfalls of Damajagua are about 45 minutes west and offer one of the best adventure excursions in the country — jumping and sliding down a series of natural waterfall pools. Sosua, with its calm bay and snorkeling, is just 10 minutes east.
For a longer day trip, the Samaná Peninsula is about a three-hour drive and puts you in range of whale watching (January through March), Playa Rincon, and the stunning Los Haitises National Park.
Who Cabarete Is For
Cabarete is perfect for active travelers who want more than a resort experience. If you kite, surf, or want to learn, this is the place. If you are a digital nomad looking for a Caribbean base with reliable internet and an international community, Cabarete checks every box. And if you simply want a beach town with character, good food, and an energy that keeps you coming back, this little stretch of the north coast delivers.
I came for three days and stayed for eight. That tells you everything you need to know.
Scott’s Tips for Cabarete
- Book kite lessons at least 48 hours ahead. The top schools fill up fast in peak wind season (January–March and June–July). Walk-in lessons are possible in slower months but are not guaranteed.
- Stay at Kite Beach if wind sports are your reason for coming. Stay on the main Cabarete Bay strip if nightlife, restaurants, and the social scene matter more. They are only a 10-minute walk apart, but the vibe is noticeably different.
- The 27 Waterfalls of Damajagua is a must-do day trip. It is 45 minutes west and genuinely one of the best adventure excursions in the entire Caribbean — jumping and sliding down a series of natural waterfall pools. Go on a weekday to avoid the weekend crowds.
- Check wind forecasts on Windy.com before planning water sport days. Wind is reliable but not guaranteed — some days are completely flat. Flexibility in your schedule lets you hit the water when conditions are perfect.
- Eat Dominican for lunch at the local comedores. A full meal of rice, beans, chicken or fish, and salad costs under RD$400 (~$7 USD). The tourist restaurants are good but significantly pricier for the same quality.
- Motoconchos are cheap and fast for short hops. Negotiate the price before you get on — RD$50-100 should cover any trip within Cabarete. Taxis are more comfortable for longer distances.
- The back streets have some of the best budget guesthouses. A two-minute walk from the beach strip dramatically reduces room rates. Perfectly safe, just quieter.