Cabarete and the Dominican Republic
Cabarete
Cabarete, a world-class kiteboarding town, is located on the north shore of the Dominican Republic, one of the largest islands in the heart of the Caribbean. Our oceanfront paradise is the hidden gem of sustainable tourism, adventure sports and pure fun.
The village of Cabarete is spread out across a gorgeous, semi-circular beach of golden sun-soaked sand. Just behind, limiting its size, lies a tranquil lagoon and El Choco National park with its richly rain forest jungle, overflowing with luxurious tropical vegetation.
Expats from all over the world are calling this little paradise home, as it’s a wonderful place to raise children and enjoy a relatively stress free live. Fresh fruit, low cost of living, healthy lifestyle and a focus on sustainable lifestyle all help to make this amazingly cosmopolitan town an up-and-coming hot spot in the Caribbean.
Learn more about life in Cabarete in our Cabarete Travel Guide.
Nightlife & Dining
Cabarete’s dining and nightlife is legendary. The huge diversity of people and cultures that choose to make Cabarete their home bring fantastic food options. The nightclubs and nightlife are raved as being some of the best of the Caribbean. Of course you can always sneak away to hidden romantic retreats, and enjoy the wines of the world under a star-lit sky. Check out where to eat in Cabarete in our Guide to Eating out in Cabarete.
Getting Here
Puerto Plata airport is only 20 minutes away, and there are multiple international flights that arrive and depart daily. If you’re in need of a big city fix, Santiago is a 1.5 hour drive away and the capital, Santo Domingo, is a 4 hour bus journey.
Getting here is fast and easy from all over the world, making it one of the stops for the jetset weekend crowd. Learn about Buying flights to the Dominican Republic, and How to arrive in Cabarete once you’ve booked your flight.
Healthy Living
Due to the active, modern community who frequents Cabarete, the town is full of healthy eating options, ecological businesses and sustainable tourism. Cabarete is home to a lively international community that supports local development through private business operations and NGO’s. The center of Cabarete is full of international restaurants, bars, live music venues and much more. We believe in living a balanced life, so for those who enjoy the nightlife as well as the day, you won’t be short of options.
Dominican Republic
Our Extreme Guide to Dominican Republic Travel. The Dominican Republic is a unique gem in the Caribbean. The Dominican Republic is best know for its incredible Caribbean beaches – but you’ll also find gorgeous rainforest, flatlands and the Caribbean’s tallest peak – Pico Duarte. The island is an outdoor adventure paradise, with world class waves, wind, trekking, diving and more.
A short history
The Dominican Republic has a rich cultural history. The indigenous Taino people had inhabiting the region since the Seventh Century. When Christopher Columbus landed here in 1492, Santo Domingo became the first European settlement in the Americas. Modern Day Dominican’s are likened to be of about 30% European descent and 70% indigenous or African.
In 1821, the Dominican Republic declared independence from Spanish Rule, although real independence only came 22 years later after the war against Haitian rule. The United States occupied the island for about 8 years in the early 1900’s. A Subsequent calm and prosperous period followed – then a dictatorship until 1961. The country’s final civil war ended in 1965. There was a dark period of authoritarian rule in the 1960’s and early 70’s, during which Las Mariposasbecame famous for leading a resistance movement.
The Dominican Republic today
The Dominican Republic is the second largest Caribbean nation, second only to it’s close neighbor, Cuba, and is the ninth largest economy in Latin America. It shares a landmass with Haiti, so although the national language is Spanish, you’re likely to find traces of Haitian Creole near the boarders, as well all sorts of languages spoken in the tourist regions. The countries main economies are tourism, manufacturing and construction.
Tourism in the Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic’s location makes it one of the most visited Caribbean nations. The island is close to the mainlands of Mexico, the United States and South America, and because the island is Spanish speaking it is particularly popular amongst Latin American tourists. Due to its relatively uncomplicated visa laws, its comparatively low cost of living amongst Caribbean islands and it being on the same time zone as the Eastern USA, the island is also a favorite for Americans and Canadians.
If that wasn’t enough, beautiful white sand beaches, mild winters and world class water sports have made sure the rest of the world is just as interested in the Dominican Republic as it’s closer neighbors. See the Official Tourism site of the Dominican Republic for more information.
Things to do in the Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic is full of water sports – like surfing, kayaking, stand up paddle boarding, kiteboarding, windsurfing and diving. It is also great for trekking, with peaks like Mt. Isabel or Pico Duarte. There is incredible whale watching in the Samana Bay in February, as well as incredibly Eco-Tourism opportunities.
You can read more about things to do in the Dominican Republic by following this link here.
Then, keep reading about Typical Dominican Food, travel tips for Buying flights to the Dominican Republic, or learn more about Cabarete, our home town by following any of these links.
