Cabarete is the most glamorous travel destination in the Dominican Republic, known for its superb water sports activities like kite surfing, hang gliding, parasailing, and stand up paddle exercises.
Yet, it is additionally known for its astounding nightlife!
It is a must on your to do list when in the Dominican Republic.
It has the best nightlife atmosphere because there is no room for stress and boredom, very laid back, the bars are sure cool and they play live music everywhere around the coastal part of Cabarete.
There are multiple places to go and you can decide among the price that is reasonable for your budget.
There are cheap places with good food, fresh seafood and yes, you can have anything ordered and prepared for you here.
You will love Cabarete, the local residents, the international scene, and the numerous people who come here for the water sports, night parties.
In addition, the package tour prices are much cheaper here than any other tourist spots in the country.
Best time to visit Cabarete?
May, October, and November are not the best time or months to explore the Cabarete.
Most of the kite boarding activities are not allowed on these months because the winds are not ideal for this sport unlike during the summer months of Cabarete (June to September) where the ocean is calm and the wind ranges from 15 to 25 mph.
The average daily temperature during summer is 27 °C.
This is the best time to explore the island.
The ocean waves are also perfect for surfing during the summer months.
The winter season begins from January until the last week of April and the average wind pressure ranges from 15 to 20 mph.
Be aware of the ideal months for surfing because it is one of the most well loved activities here in Cabarete.
Best things to do in Cabarete
These are the thrilling things to do and my favorite places to visit in the city of Cabarete…
Cabarete Beach
In Cabarete, there is a nice mix of locals and tourists in an infinite set of clubs along the boulevard.
You can walk along the Cabarete Beach from one end to the other and find most of the hottest party spots in this city.
The beach is very good, but the second half of the coastal area where the wind corresponds to the demands of the day, a large part of the area is occupied by kite boarders, surfers and others like them, but the right-hand side of the lagoon is hardly ever used.
There are sunbeds, tables with parasols, and loungers, but the prices are kept high and the range is almost the same.
Generally, the beaches there stretch for tens of kilometers in both directions from the Cabarete coastline.
In some places, there are even dangerous spots because of the strong currents, but the beauty of the beach remains indescribable.
It is a paradise for kite boarders, beginners (even if the price tag is high), and advanced.
There are kite boarding schools and even skilled Russian instructors.
It is the main beach in the area where everything happens.
There are the major hotels, restaurants, bars and nightclubs.
It is also the main venue for kitesurfing and windsurfing.
You can dine in the evening and find romantic restaurants on the beach.
It is the ideal place for those who want to combine the fun to surf, kite and meet people from all over the world.
It is a natural paradise with plenty of room for nightclubs where people fill the dance floor while ramping up in the rhythm of Latin music, hip-hop, dance and rock.
Not far from here is the well known surfer’s area called the Playa Encuentro.
My favorite stuff to do in Cabarete
Encuentro Beach
Encuentro Beach is a great place for surfing and the best place to be in Cabarete if you are just starting to learn the sport because, the waves are nice, especially for beginners.
This beach is one of the most popular spots in the Dominican Republic that has many surf schools and where most of the people are in the water.
It is a long beach with great views, wonderful sunsets and the clear waters of the ocean.
There are lots of reefs, especially on the spot to surf; be sure to take your slippers with you for the corals.
The biggest problem is undoubtedly the crowding, especially in mid-day (when 3-5 ft waves rule the ocean) when it becomes difficult and even risky to catch a few waves.
Given the number of locals and guests that are present in the spot and skilled experts of the place that depart on everything in the water whether kiteboarding, kayaking, or paddling.
It is a perfect beach for surfing in the area, especially in the morning.
The Encuentro Beach is located just six kilometers from Cabarete, in Encuentro you can rent a car and meet one of the region’s pleasant beaches.
The beach is just a few minutes away from downtown.
Ideally, you go there by your car, but you can also rent a personal motorcycle taxi to take you there.
It is not advisable to do the surfing activity alone because there are strong currents that can take you to the wrong place.
Fun things to do in Cabarete
The Caves
A visit to the stalactite caves of Cabarete is one of the highlights in a visit of the city.
The caves are situated in a park of reclaimed corals.
The tour is best done with a guide that tells the nice things about the park and the surrounding area.
The local residents maintain the park.
It is kept clean and provides the natives a source of livelihood.
From The Caves , it is 25 meters down on slippery steps and you will come to clear water where you can swim.
The Caves are easy to reach and it offers visitors a pleasant excursion and alternative options of things to do when in Cabarete.
Popular Cabarete tourist attractions
Kite Club Cabarete
The Kite Club Cabarete is a kitesurfing school that is highly recommended in Cabarete.
The teachers here give the proper lecture and orientation about the sport and with a very short time on a board that will help you kite in both directions.
The instructors will teach you the basics and make you feel safe once you head out to the sea.
All the other teachers and IKO (International Kite Surfers Organization) certified instructors on site are knowledgeable and will politely answer each question for kite surfing (and other things).
For this purpose, it is still the perfect combination with the kite shop and the Kite Club Café, where there is very good food at good prices that keep tourists and water sports lovers from coming back to this site in Cabarete.
You may start off as a bit shaky in the water, but anyone looking for a school that offers optimal guidance, professional assistance and instructors, the Kite Club Cabarete offers the most fun way to learn the sport while you’re staying in the island.
They have the best German kite surfers and one of the best riders in the world as a teacher with fair teaching rates and excellent service.
They are trained in the water, teach well and are with you at all times in the entire duration of the training.
They are also the only kitesurfing school that allows students to pay by credit card at no extra charge.
The bar / restaurant next door to the school is also exquisite.
What else to do in Cabarete?
Gokite Cabarete Kiteboarding School
The Gokite Cabarete Kiteboarding School has very good teams and teachers with vocation and talent for kiteboarding.
They are dedicated and concerned for the safety of the students and willing to share the advance step by step instructions on how to become a professional kite surfer.
The school is an ideal site for learning to do Kiteboarding, share with friends, eat, or just relax and have a cold beer.
Richard is an excellent host and his staffs are very friendly and well prepared to teach this exciting sport.
It is one of the best places to learn Kitesurfing in Cabarete.
What makes the school and their instructors unique is they take the necessary steps to make it less risky.
The guys know what they do, know the weather and familiar with the climate in Cabarete, know the risks and best of all; they love this sport.
Gokite Cabarete, teaches not only the basic elements of the sport, but also assures that you will have the best vacation of your life in Cabarete by learning how to master this extreme sports adventure.
Travel tip: The Mojito Extreme Bar next to the kite school is also worth a visit!
Is Cabarete worth visiting?
The answer is Yes.
Cabarete is worth visiting.
This is because it is such a magical place
full of beauty and adventours.
Make sure you visit the following stunning place:
Dive Cabarete
Cabarete is the ultimate destination when it comes to scuba diving adventures.
If you need to choose a diving school, pick the Dive Cabarete.
This school is run by a family from England.
The father and mother are the diving instructors and the girl is Dive Master.
They will do everything to make the trip more enjoyable.
They have open water court courses and in Cabarete, they offer more courses about diving.
You will feel confident from the beginning to the end of the court and nothing is ever left to chance.
For your first plunge they can lead you to the first class diving experience where you will see the rich underwater life of Cabarete.
What else to see in Cabarete?
Kayak River Adventures
Do not miss having a trip to the river with the Kayak River Adventures when you’re in Cabarete.
The tour is really wonderful and the course is managed under the competent leadership of Helmut and his partner.
This great team is armed with an adventurous spirit and fun loving nature.
Their drive and enthusiasm to teach and share their experiences about the kayak adventures is already an assurance that you will have a fun and safe kayak driving adventure on the island.
It is an original way to discover the scenic landscape of the Dominican Republic, as well as the nature of its outgoing and beach loving people.
The facility offers a very nice activity for everyone in the family and you can choose from a double or single kayak adventure with their assistance.
The kayak adventure begins at the base camp to fix and set up the equipment.
About 20 minutes later, you will be on the way down to a river which flows through these three stages: Magic Mushroom, the Big Bastard and the Ciguapa Falls.
After the big bastard, the group stops for a coffee break at the river’s edge.
At the third stage, the end part requires a little steep hike that can be accessed through a donkey ride.
The donkey takes you through the jungle and up the steep pastures back to the base camp for a traditional Dominican lunch: chicken, rice, grilled vegetables (carrot, eggplant, bell peppers, etc.) paired with a can of beer / soda / energy drink /and water.
The crowd favorite is the Ciguapa Falls – where the water will change color from the normal green clear river water to a beautiful light blue.
An incomparable contrast to the all green color of nature along the river.
The Big Bastard part is the most technically difficult, with the highest jump of 20 meters from the top of the waterfalls racing down to the gorge below.
Do not miss this wonderful kayak activity when in Cabarete.
Popular places to visit in Cabarete
House of Waves Surf School
Aside from providing equipment and gears for wave surfing in Cabarete, the House of Waves Surf School offers special courses about how to conquer the waves of Cabarete.
All of the wave surfing teachers are well trained and extends their effort and time to explain all the safety rules and the techniques to be as fast as possible and feel at home in the water.
The House of Waves has wonderful surf instructors and you will be warmly received any time and you can borrow a board to get tips for wave surfing problems or train with their best instructors in the water.
They will also give you techniques about the position of the hand during take-off and with every wave you get caught, no matter how big or small, there is honestly meant cheers of teachers behind who will motivate you to keep going and do it even more.
Things to do in Cabarete with kids
Yoga 4 SUP
The Yoga 4 SUP is a unique experience about stand up paddle boarding in Cabarete because, it not only combines the relaxing experience of stand up paddle boarding, you will also have the opportunity to do yoga while riding the board.
It is fascinating to do yoga on a board while floating in the ocean.
Yoga instructor Audrey Meyer is a precise and scrupulous teacher.
She teaches the step by step procedure for each yoga exercise and explains thoroughly before entering the water all you need to know about the paddle, paddle leash, etc.
It is an unmissable experience for the body and mind.
Things to do around Cabarete
Rogue Fitness Cabarete
When you need to stay in shape and explore your path to health and wellness by engaging in Pilates, yoga, swimming, and having a great day in the spa;
The Rogue Fitness Cabarete is the ideal place to choose for a variety of health and wellness physical activities when in Cabarete.
You will be pleasantly surprised to find such quality training and equipment.
Rogue Fitness is comparable to any gym, even elsewhere in the world.
They offer several types of courses ranging from ‘CrossFit ‘to “Beach Body” and other more specialized courses.
What distinguishes it most from other gym is the variety of equipment and alternative instruments they have here.
You will find not only all types of devices or traditional fitness exercises; you will also have a chance to be taught by professional fitness trainers.
The emphasis is rather put on free weights, balls, elastic ropes, TRX etc.
It will make you discover a new way to train which is healthier for the body since it activates all the known muscle groups.
That said, the timeframe offers the complete courses about health and fitness.
This activity center opens at 7:00 AM and closes at 18:00 PM in the evening.
Zach, Matt and Steph are the coaches and they are true professionals.
They are all very open and motivating, and they will definitely help you achieve your health and wellness goals.
Andari Spa
is the perfect place to relax after a stressful week from work.
If you’re in Cabarete, do not hesitate to spend and enjoy the best attentions of a top team.
First of all, you will be impressed by their sense of professionalism and for having an excellent reception in a high-level.
The place has easy parking and one of the best ideas on how to relax and unwind in Cabarete.
The staffs are courteous and attentive, the interior is excellent, and the massage service is very fast and virtually painless.
Must see places in Cabarete
Cabarete is a hidden paradise in the northern part of the Dominican Republic.
It is a quiet beach (no buzz), great restaurants, food with great value, very efficient service and various sports options to try like kite surfing, windsurfing, and parasailing.
It is frequented by a lot of beautiful youth who practices or are more inclined towards extreme water sports adventures.
Cabarete is blessed with a fantastic endless beach for long walks and breezy atmosphere.
The sea is ideal for water sports and to be enchanted by those who practice this sport.
The downside of this place is there are many sellers and the prices of the drinks on the premises are much higher than the rest of the other beaches in this country.
However, the beautiful evening atmosphere with many bars and tables placed directly on the beach offers plenty of choices to party and have fun while facing the wild Caribbean waters.
