Wild Winds and Rum Cocktails: Unmissable Things to Do in Cabarete

Thrilling Things to Do in Cabarete That Won’t Result in International Incidents

The spectrum of things to do in Cabarete runs from “mild physical exertion with a cocktail nearby” to “activities your insurance company specifically excluded in the fine print.” The town exists in a perfect sweet spot where adventure seekers and hammock enthusiasts can peacefully coexist, each believing they’ve found paradise according to their own definition.

Water Sports for Every Courage Level

Kiteboarding stands as Cabarete’s undisputed main attraction, with Kite Beach serving as the sport’s hallowed ground. Beginners can book lessons ($50-120 for a two-hour session) at renowned schools like Laurel Eastman Kiteboarding or Cabarete Kite School, where instructors display the patience of kindergarten teachers on the last day before summer break. The learning curve resembles trying to simultaneously fly a kite, ride a skateboard, and solve a Rubik’s cube—all while being dragged through water.

Windsurfing offers an alternative for those who prefer their equipment firmly attached to their feet. Rentals at Cabarete Bay run $25-40 per hour, with the experience best described as attempting to balance on a moving dinner plate while holding a sail. The bay’s consistent afternoon winds create ideal conditions for both beginners and experts, though the two groups are easily distinguished by the frequency of their spectacular wipeouts.

For early risers, Playa Encuentro (3 miles west of town) offers some of the Dominican Republic’s best surfing before the wind kicks up. Board rentals go for about $15, with morning sessions offering glassy conditions that deteriorate as the day progresses. Meanwhile, stand-up paddleboarding ($20/hour) presents a deceptively peaceful alternative for calm mornings, though falling spectacularly in front of the breakfast crowd at beachfront cafes remains an initiation rite for newcomers.

Natural Wonders Without Turnstiles

El Choco National Park sits just south of town, offering a $5 entry to a network of over 5 miles of trails through tropical forest. The park’s limestone caves and freshwater lagoons provide welcome respite from the sun, though encounters with the resident bat population might test urban visitors’ commitment to wildlife appreciation. The caves maintain a year-round temperature of 72F, making them nature’s air conditioning system during the hotter months.

The 27 cascades of Damajagua Waterfalls ($12 entry plus $20 for guided tours) present nature’s water park without the chlorine and screaming children—though screaming adults remain plentiful. Visitors slide down natural chutes and jump from platforms ranging from “mild thrill” to “immediate regret” heights. Guides provide helmets and life jackets while offering encouragement that ranges from supportive to mildly peer-pressuring.

Cabarete Beach itself divides into distinct personalities along its 1.5-mile stretch. The eastern end hosts beginners with their oversized training kites, the central section serves as prime people-watching territory, while the western end attracts the experts performing aerial tricks that defy both gravity and common sense. Meanwhile, Sosua Beach, a 15-minute drive away, offers significantly calmer waters for snorkeling and swimming, with visibility that makes Cabarete’s wind-churned waters look like chocolate milk by comparison.

Eating and Drinking Like There’s No Tomorrow (Or Work on Monday)

Cabarete’s beach bar scene elevates day drinking to an art form. Establishments like Lax Bar and Gordito’s Fresh Mex line the sand, offering cocktails ($8-15) and meals ($10-25) with ocean views that would triple the price in Miami. The ritual of watching kiteboarding wipeouts while sipping a Presidente beer has become the unofficial spectator sport of Cabarete.

Beyond the tourist strip, local Dominican food offers both authenticity and merciful relief for travel budgets. Restaurants like Caliente and Casita de Papi serve dishes like mofongo (mashed plantains with garlic and pork cracklings) and mangú (another plantain variation that proves Dominicans never met a plantain they couldn’t transform) for $5-12. These dishes arrive at your table with enough carbohydrates to fuel a kiteboarding session lasting roughly until retirement age.

Nightlife operates on Dominican time, which means things barely get started before 11pm. Wednesday’s “Boogie Nights” at Lax Beach Bar and the monthly full moon parties attract an international crowd of expats who’ve clearly forgotten how old they are. Meanwhile, beach dining reaches its pinnacle at upscale spots like Yalla, where $30-50 per person buys toes-in-the-sand tables and candlelit dinners with waves providing the soundtrack.

Where to Crash After Crashing (Into the Ocean)

Accommodations in Cabarete span from “backpacker on a prayer” to “remote tech worker splurging on bonus money.” Budget hostels and guesthouses ($25-50/night) like Hideaway Beach Hostel and Cabarete Surf Camp offer clean beds and prime locations, with shared stories of wipeouts included at no extra charge.

Mid-range hotels and condos ($80-150/night) such as Millennium Resort and Kite Beach Hotel provide private balconies and pools, offering significantly more comfort than the same money would secure in any U.S. coastal town. For those whose investment portfolios survived recent market fluctuations, luxury villas and all-inclusives ($200-500+/night) like Sea Horse Ranch and Ultravioleta Boutique Residences deliver privacy and amenities that will make returning home emotionally challenging.

The truly adventurous can book treehouse accommodations at Natura Cabana ($180/night) or jungle bungalows, though these come with warnings about wildlife roommates that don’t understand privacy boundaries. Waking up to a gecko staring at you from three inches away provides a natural alarm clock that Fitbit has yet to replicate.

Day Trips When You Need a Break from Paradise

Puerto Plata city sits 40 minutes away by car, offering historic fortresses and a cable car to Mount Isabel that rewards visitors with views stretching to the horizon. The city’s architecture presents a colonial framework painted in Caribbean colors—imagine if Thomas Jefferson had designed Monticello after a week at Carnival.

Laguna Gri-Gri, an hour’s drive from Cabarete, offers mangrove boat tours ($25) that wind through narrow waterways to the aptly named Hole of Lovers natural pool. The romantic name loses some impact when shared with 20 other tourists, but the crystal-clear waters remain impressive regardless of company.

Closer to Cabarete, Monkey Jungle combines ziplines with simian encounters ($65), with proceeds supporting local medical clinics—allowing visitors to feel virtuous about their screaming. Meanwhile, horseback riding tours ($45 for two hours) take riders to hidden beaches and mountain trails on Dominican horses whose unique personalities range from “perpetually sleepy” to “considering a career in rodeo.”

Practical Matters That Could Save Your Vacation

Transportation around Cabarete comes primarily via motorcycle taxis ($2-5 for most in-town trips) that weave through traffic with a nonchalance that suggests helmet laws are merely suggestions. Car rentals ($40-70/day) provide more protection but require navigating Dominican driving culture, which treats road markings and rights-of-way as optional creative guidelines rather than actual rules.

Safety in Cabarete generally requires the same precautions you’d take in any tourist destination, though the town’s international community and concentrated tourist area create a relatively secure environment. The most dangerous thing most visitors encounter is their own overestimation of their kiteboarding abilities on day two of lessons.

For the budget-conscious, happy hours (typically 5-7pm with 2-for-1 drinks) provide sweet relief from vacation spending. Janet’s Supermarket offers provisions at local prices, while eating where Dominicans eat can cut food expenses in half. The local saying that “tourists get tourist prices” translates to: learn at least enough Spanish to say “too expensive” with conviction.

Weather patterns matter tremendously in a wind-dependent destination. February-March and November-December offer consistent winds without hurricane concerns. September sits firmly in hurricane season, though prices drop accordingly for risk-tolerant travelers. For Instagram devotees, early mornings at El Choco caves or sunset at La Boca (where river meets ocean) provide photo opportunities without the crowds.