Cabarete revolves around three sporty activity hubs:
Kitesurfing (the main activity): 30+ professional schools on Kite Beach. Kite Club Cabarete, Laurel Eastman Kiteboarding, Vela Cabarete, Dare2Fly (French-speaking) are the references. Beginner course €200-450 per week depending on school (12-15h over 5-7 days). Equipment included in lessons, equipment hire €80-120/day for practitioners. To start: 8-12h to master take-off and control. To progress: improvement lessons hourly (€30-50/h).
Surf at Encuentro Beach (5 min east): Dominican surf capital, 1-3 m waves depending on season (stronger September-October), mainly intermediate-advanced level but also beginner schools. Encuentro Surf School, No Work Team (French-speaking school), Take Off Surf School are the references. Beginner lesson €30-50 the 2h session, intensive week €250-400. Board hire €25/day.
Wing-foil (the rising discipline): Cabarete is also becoming a world reference. Lessons available at main schools, €60-90/h. Perfect conditions in the central bay (moderate winds, reduced waves).
Beach and swimming: family swimming is done in the morning (before 12pm) in the central bay, before winds pick up. In the afternoon, the bay is dedicated to water sports. For calm swimming all day, transfer to Sosúa (10 km, protected crescent beach).
Land activities: Damajagua waterfalls (30 min, €30 with equipment, half day, 27 cascading falls, the flagship adventure). Pico Isabel de Torres cable car at Puerto Plata (30 km, €10, half day). Mountain biking in the Cordillera Septentrional (€50-80 the guided day). Morning yoga on the beach (free or €10-15 in studio). Organic cacao plantations in the Cordillera (€15-25).
Diving and snorkelling: Cabarete isn't the best spot — prefer neighbouring Sosúa (10 km, decent diving, €50-90 the 2-dive outing) or Bayahibe (south-east coast, world-class Catalina Island diving).
Gastronomy and nightlife: Cabarete has a top international gourmet scene, light-years from all-inclusive buffets. Lax Ojo (seafront, international fusion cuisine, €25-40/person), José Oshay's Irish Beach Pub (pub atmosphere, €15-25), Onno's Bar (international, beach vibe, €20-30), Bliss Restaurant (gourmet, €35-55), Otra Cosa (French-Creole, charming mansion, €35-50). In the evening, informal beach fires, seafront bars and the Mojito Bar (salsa-bachata) liven up the bay.
Read also
- Puerto Plata and the North — The complete region: Puerto Plata, Sosúa, Cabarete and the Amber Coast.
- Puerto Plata — The provincial capital 30 km away, culture and cable car, to combine with Cabarete.
- Dominican Republic — Complete country guide: visa, currency, regions, best time to visit.
- Samaná — The neighbouring peninsula 3h east, to combine for a complete northeast trip.