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TravelTips24 : North America : Caribbean : Dominican Republic : Cabarete

Cabarete

Cabarete is the city of kitesurfing and windsurfing in the Dominican Republic. Is considered one of the best places to practice this sports in the Caribbean. Also has a great beach and this has a lot of greats bars and restaurants for everyone.

Travel to Cabarete & Visa Requirements

  • Fly to Puerto Plata Airport (IATA: POP). Be prepare to pay $10 for a tourist card. Check it out on the info page pasted on the glass of the tourist tax collection desk. Take a taxi (approx US $35 per trip, not per person) to Cabarete - approx 20 minutes. Departure is fast and easy, as Puerto Plata airport is very small, but make sure you are there 2 hours before your flight. It's always a good idea to call the airline on the day of your flight to make sure the departure time is the same.
  • Another option is to fly into Santiago airport, and take a taxi in from there. The taxi ride is about 1.5 hours, and the cost is about $80, but you can divide that by up to 10 passengers. Beware of taxi drivers that want to charge $80 per person. Fare is for trip regardless of number of passengers. If coming at night, ask the driver to drive through Puerto Plata, not on the mountain road (too dangerous at night).

Puerto Plata is a expensive airport to fly to. Check your options by flying into or out of Puerto Plata, combining with Santo Domingo or Santiago in your way in or out. The difference in fare is substantial at times. A taxi cab from Santo Domingo could cost you about $150 but you may save several times this amount in your airfare. Trip from Santo Domingo takes about 3.5 hours depending on the time of the day.

Getting around

Cabarete consists of a main road of about 800 meters (0.5 mile), so walking is fine. During the day a 'motoconcho' (a simple motorbike with a driver) is cheap and fast - but pretty dangerous. At night its best to walk as many of the motoconcho drivers like to have a beer or ten.

You can walk the beach or you can walk the main street. Use common sense like not walking alone at night.

Public transportation comes in two forms: Sedans called "Publicos" and mini-vans called "Gua-guas". You can flag down either from anywhere on the side of the road, pile in together with the locals, and hop out wherever you like. Publico is 20 pesos per person in the day and 40 at night, Gua-guas are 10 pesos per person and only operate during the day.

Taxis are everywhere and a good alternative as well.

Always best to negotiate the price up front.

Cabarete souvenirs & shopping

There are plenty of cool gift shops to buy all kinds things to remember your holiday and share the Caribbean spirit with people back home.

One unique idea is Mamajuana a bottle of herbs and sticks that you fill with red wine, empty, then fill with rum and honey. It's for settling the stomach after dinner and makes a very cool addition to anyone's home bar.

Also good are the Dominican cigars.

For healthier alternatives try a T-shirt or a photo CD of you taking kiteboarding lessons!

Cabarete is known world wide as a testing ground for kite manufacturers, so you can often find slightly used kites at discounted prices. And amazingly its cheaper to rent gear then to bring your own (airlines have a $100 charge each way).

For great kite surfing gear packages, drop by the Kite Lounge on Kite Beach and ask some of the pros staying there what`s for sale.

Cabarete Restaurants: cheap, moderate and expensive

There are food options to suit every budget and taste. It is one of the benefits of having such a diverse crowd that lives in Cabarete, from all parts of the globe.

Best Breakfast: Alegria Bistro & Lounge at Hotel Alegria (on east side of Cabarete Bay).

Best French/Caribbean Restaurants: La Otra Cosa (east side of Cabarete Bay -- upscale, pricey); Bliss (El Callejon de la Loma).

Best Pizza: Pomodoro on the beach, or LAX (try Diabolo, hot but delicious).

Best Seafood: La Casita; Casa del Pescador (pricey).

Best Dominican food; El Tigre in Callejon de la Loma. Fried chicken @ Luis , entrance of Callejon.

Fantastic Thai: Miro's. (also pricey) Also does Sushi.

Indian-dominican; Blue Moon. 20 min ride from Cabarete ( taxi ) . You have to call before , the restaurant is small ( 30 - 40 ppl mx ). Romantic atmoshere, wonderful sunset, delicious plate.

Best hot-dogs: next to the supermarket in the middle of the town. Only at night.

Cabarete nightlife, bars, clubs & pubs

Cabarete has many watering holes and it's impossible not to find a bar, disco or restaurant to suit your taste.

The Distillery, at eXtreme hotel, distills their own alcohol and has unique liquors like Rambutan. A great spot to sit and watch all the kite action on Kite Beach.

Cabarete cheap and luxurious hotels, youth hostels & lodging

  • A cheap place to stay is Ali's Surf Camp, [1].
  • Good value on Kite Beach is eXtreme Hotel , which has a 40ft half pipe, excellent beach access, lockers, compressors and a bar, no guaranteed electricty, no security.
  • A great budget hotel on Cabarete beach with great amenities(including gym, jacuzzi, and WiFi) is Hotel Alegria [2] on the east end of Cabarete Bay. Restaurant on premises.
  • Another, once great option is Kitebeach Hotel, more upscale.
  • Very good are are Ocean Dream and Ocean One (medium price).
  • Quiet/family, Mid-range, three bed condo available, very central Royal Residence, [3].
  • Hotel Albatros - right on Bozo beach.
  • Velero Hotel and Resort above $100 but excellent with pool and relaxing beach beds.
  • Cabarete East Beach Front Restort Family oriented 1, 2 and 3 bedroom Condos for rent 3 KM from the center of town Cabarete East[4]
  • A good fair priced option for surfers and professional kitesurfers is hooked-cabarete, a small finca like hotel situated in playa encuentro, 4 km east of Cabarete. [5]
  • The cheapest option in town is Hotel Kaoba, which is located right in the heart of the town. [6]

Get out

Most popular beach bar: LAX

Popular Disco/Bars on the beach: Ohno's, Bambu

Casino: Cabarete East (discotheque on second floor, open later than beach bars)

This page was last edited at 17:10, on 14 November 2008 by Anonymous user(s) of Wikitravel. Based on work by Keith and Robbie, Wikitravel user(s) Morph, Anonymous user(s) of Wikitravel and others.

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