Cabarete began as a quiet fishing and farming village on the north coast of the Dominican Republic, and it stayed that way for generations. That changed in the 1980s, when windsurfers discovered the bay's steady afternoon trade winds. Word spread through the windsurfing world, international competitions followed, and the town grew into what locals now call the water sports capital of the Caribbean. Even today, Cabarete keeps that low-key, international feel, with no towering resorts and a social life built around the beach.

This Cabarete travel guide covers the best things to do, the beaches worth your time, where to stay, and how to get there in 2026. It works for kitesurfers, families, digital nomads, and anyone who wants a livelier, more local alternative to the big all-inclusive resorts. The Dominican Republic closed 2025 as its strongest tourism year on record, with 11.6 million visitors, and the relaxed north coast is a big reason repeat travellers keep coming back. If you're new to the country and need a quick reference on population, capital, language, currency, and what actually happens here (not the myths), our Dominican Republic facts guide answers the baseline questions before you dig into regional guides. It's the guide to read if you want context without the deep dive.

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Cabarete at a glance

Where is Cabarete, and why should you visit?

Cabarete sits on the Amber Coast in Puerto Plata province, roughly 20 kilometres east of Puerto Plata city and a short drive west of Sosua. It is a walkable town built around one main road and a long, curving bay, with no high-rise resorts blocking the water.

You visit Cabarete for the wind and the water. Steady afternoon trade winds turned this bay into a world-class kiteboarding and windsurfing spot, and the town grew up around that scene. The result is an international, low-key place where you can take a beginner surf lesson in the morning, work from a beach cafe in the afternoon, and eat dinner with your feet in the sand. It is easy to reach from North America, which is one reason the United States remains the Dominican Republic's top source market, and the north coast offers a more local feel than the resort strips further east.

When is the best time to visit Cabarete?

The best time to visit Cabarete depends on what you came to do. December to April brings the driest, sunniest weather and the biggest surf swells. May to September delivers the strongest and most consistent winds, making it the prime season for kiteboarding and wing foiling. September and October are the quietest and cheapest months, with a higher chance of rain during Caribbean hurricane season.

Cabarete gets wind on roughly 270 days a year, which is what built its reputation. The bay also sits in a sheltered pocket that locals call a "hurricane hole," giving it some natural protection from the worst storms, though no Caribbean coast is fully immune.

For a country view, see our guide to the best time to visit the Dominican Republic. It breaks down weather, prices, and whale-watching season month by month, so you can line up your Cabarete dates with the rest of a north-coast or island trip.

What are the best things to do in Cabarete?

The best things to do in Cabarete centre on the water, but the town also offers caves, waterfalls, mountain trails, and a strong food and nightlife scene. Here are 12 activities worth building a trip around.

1. Kiteboard at Kite Beach. This is the classic Cabarete experience. Certified schools line the sand and cater to everyone from first-timers to advanced riders.
2. Learn to surf at Playa Encuentro. A short drive west, Encuentro is the north coast's main surf break, with gentle waves for beginners and bigger sets down the beach.
3. Try wing foiling. The newest wind sport in Cabarete, wing foiling, is easier to pick up than kiteboarding and now has dedicated instructors in town.
4. Stand-up paddleboard the bay. Calm mornings, before the wind builds, are ideal for SUP along the shoreline.
5. Explore Las Cuevas de Cabarete. These freshwater caves inside El Choco National Park include swimmable pools. Entry runs about US$20 for foreign visitors (2026), usually with a guide included.
6. Ride the 27 Waterfalls of Damajagua. A guided hike, slide, and jump through mountain pools about an hour away. Check current access before you go.
7. Go horseback riding. Beach and countryside rides are available through Sea Horse Ranch and smaller local outfits.
8. Mountain bike the back roads. The hills behind town, including the route toward Monkey Jungle, reward riders with real climbs and quiet countryside.
9. Take a yoga or wellness class. Cabarete has a long-running wellness scene, with beachfront yoga and spin studios in town.
10. Shop the Cabarete Night Market. A weekly beachfront market where local and expat vendors sell food, art, and crafts.
11. Watch the sunset from a beach bar. The bars along the beach are the heart of the town's social life, with tables in the sand and live music.
12. Scuba dive the north-coast reefs. Operators in nearby Sosua run reef dives and certification courses for all levels.

Which beaches should you visit in Cabarete?

Cabarete has four main beaches, and each one has a clear personality. Cabarete Beach, the central bay, is where the town, the bars, and the windsurfers gather. Kite Beach, just west, is the dedicated kiteboarding zone with the most reliable wind. Bozo Beach, between the two, catches stronger shore break and suits confident swimmers and kite launches. Playa Encuentro, a few minutes west by car, is the surf beach.

If you are deciding between Cabarete Beach and Kite Beach, the choice is simple. Stay near Cabarete Beach if you want restaurants, nightlife, and an easy walk into town. Choose Kite Beach if kiteboarding is your main reason for the trip and you want to roll straight from your room onto the water. Read our guide to the 17 best Dominican Republic beaches for more ideas to help plan your trip.

At Epic, you can book hotels near any of these beaches for up to 30% less than Booking.com, paid by Visa, Mastercard, Apple Pay, Google Pay 200+ cryptocurrencies. Sign up with your email and claim $25 off your first booking.

Where should you eat and go out in Cabarete?

Cabarete eats and drinks better than most towns its size. The food scene runs from beachfront seafood shacks to Italian kitchens, sushi, smoothie bowls, and Dominican staples, much of it along the main road and the sand. Evenings start slowly with sunset drinks and build into a lively bar scene, with several spots turning into open-air dance floors late at night. Salsa and bachata nights are a fixture, and the weekly Night Market is a good early-evening stop.

Before you go, read our Dominican Republic food guide for the dishes to look for, from mofongo to fresh fish. It is a useful primer so you know what to order once you are sitting down at a Cabarete beach table.

What day trips can you take from Cabarete?

Cabarete makes a strong base for the north coast. Sosua, about 11 kilometres west, has calm, protected swimming coves and a busy expat scene. Puerto Plata city adds history and the Caribbean's only cable car, which climbs Mount Isabel de Torres for wide coastal views. The 27 Waterfalls of Damajagua and the mangrove lagoon at Rio San Juan are both easy day trips, and from January to March, you can drive to Samana for humpback whale watching.

If you are mapping a longer route, our roundup of 8 places to visit in the Dominican Republic covers destinations beyond Punta Cana and Santo Domingo, with current costs. It pairs well with Cabarete when you want to add mountains, colonial history, or a second beach town.

Where should you stay in Cabarete?

Where you stay in Cabarete comes down to why you are visiting. Book near the town centre and Cabarete Beach if you want restaurants and nightlife on your doorstep. Choose the Kite Beach area if water sports are your priority. Look toward Encuentro or the quieter Sea Horse Ranch area if you want calm and space. Because there are no towering resorts, most options are condos, boutique hotels, and beachfront flats, which keeps prices lower than the all-inclusive strips.

When you are ready to book, you can reserve Cabarete hotels through Epic for up to 30% less than Booking.com and pay with Visa, Mastercard, Apple Pay, Google Pay or 200+ cryptocurrencies. Put those savings toward a longer stay on your multi-night beach trip.

How do you get to Cabarete?

The easiest way to get to Cabarete is to fly into Gregorio Luperon International Airport in Puerto Plata (POP), which is about 20 to 30 minutes away by road. Puerto Plata is a small, calm airport that handled only around 4%  of the country's arrivals in 2025, so lines are short, and transfers are quick. A taxi to Cabarete runs roughly US$35 to US$40 one way.

You can also fly into Santiago (STI), about 90 minutes away, or Santo Domingo (SDQ) and Punta Cana (PUJ), which are both long drives of four hours or more. Before you travel, complete the Dominican Republic eTicket, the mandatory online entry and exit form. It generates a QR code that airlines scan at the gate, so fill it in before you leave for the airport.

How do you get around Cabarete?

Getting around Cabarete is simple because the town is walkable and built along one main road. For anything beyond walking distance, you have a few cheap options. Motoconchos (motorcycle taxis) are everywhere and the quickest for short hops. Carritos publicos (shared cars) run the main road toward Sosua for a small fixed fare. Private taxis and pre-booked transfers work best for day trips and airport runs.

You can rent a scooter for more freedom, but drive carefully. Roads are narrow and busy, and the Dominican Republic has a high traffic accident rate, so wear a helmet and stick to what you are comfortable with. Long-distance buses and guaguas connect Cabarete to Puerto Plata, Santiago, and beyond if you want to explore without a car.

Is Cabarete safe, and what else should you know?

Cabarete is generally safe for tourists, families, and solo travellers, and it is considered one of the calmer beach towns on the north coast. Most crime is petty theft, so use your hotel safe, keep an eye on valuables on the beach, and stay aware after dark. The Dominican Republic maintains a tourist police force, POLITUR, that operates in visitor areas.

A few practical notes for 2026. The currency is the Dominican peso, trading around 59 to 60 pesos to the US dollar in mid-2026, and US dollars are widely accepted, though you often get better value paying in pesos. Drink bottled or filtered water rather than tap water. Connectivity is good, with fibre and Starlink common in town and affordable eSIMs available for data. A few words of Spanish go a long way, so learn a basic "hola" and "gracias" before you arrive.

Start planning your Cabarete trip.

Pick your window first: December to April for sun and surf, or May to September for the strongest wind. Once your dates are set, build your days around the beaches, caves, and day trips above, then lock in your base early to get the best rates. Book Cabarete hotels on Epic for up to 30% less than Booking.com, pay with Visa, Mastercard, Apple Pay, Google Pay or  200+cryptocurrencies, and sign up with your email and claim $25 off your first booking. Cabarete rewards travellers who plan a little and then slow down, so book your stay, keep your itinerary loose, and let the wind decide the rest.

FAQs

1. Is Cabarete worth visiting? 

Yes. Cabarete is worth visiting if you want water sports, a walkable beach town, and a more local vibe than the big resorts. It suits active travellers, digital nomads, and families who prefer independence over an all-inclusive.

2. What is Cabarete known for? 

Cabarete is known as the kiteboarding and windsurfing capital of the Caribbean, thanks to its steady afternoon trade winds. It is also known for surfing at Playa Encuentro, a lively beach-bar nightlife, and a strong wellness and expat community.

3. How far is Cabarete from Puerto Plata airport? 

Cabarete is about 20 kilometres from Gregorio Luperon International Airport (POP), roughly a 20- to 30-minute drive. A taxi costs around US$35 to US$40 one way.

4. Is Cabarete safe for solo travellers? 

Cabarete is generally safe for solo travellers, with a friendly, social scene and a visible tourist police presence. Take normal precautions: watch your belongings, avoid flashing valuables, and be careful walking near traffic.

5. What currency is used in Cabarete? 

The official currency is the Dominican peso (RD$). US dollars are widely accepted at hotels, tour operators, and many restaurants, but paying in pesos usually gives you a better rate.

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