Cabarete has burst, exploded and errupted into being the fastest developing resort on the north coast. Only a 25 minute ride away from Gregorio Luperon International Airport in an easterly direction prepare yourself for the surfing and kite boarding Mecca in the whole of the West Indies.  The towns development owes everything to this addictive sport when the legendary windsurfer Jean Laporte put Cabarete on the map back in 1984 after he discovered it’s near perfect surfing conditions. Benefiting from the trade winds most of the year round Cabaretes wind is usually light in the morning and then building up in the afternoon where you will see a multitude of kite boarders doing their thing out on the ocean - amazing.

Having hosted the World Windsurfing Championships (many times now) Cabaretes reputation as a dedicated surf town is firmly established and shows as year after year the same surfers return for their “fix” bringing new friends and like minded people along the way.

Please check The Real DR Business Directory (or click on the Cabarere Hotel link above) for listings of hotels, however there are a multitude of hotels suiting every budget available in Cabarete, from room only, pensions, villas to all inclusive hotels.  There are also many surf schools offering accommodation too and included in the package you will receive tuition, board and lodgings and equipment. For beginner surfers you will find everything you need to start with on the beach, equipment hire, lessons and good general advice.  The Carib Bic Centre is probably one of the most completely equipped centres on the beach front and comes complete with shop and restaurant too.

As you can imagine after a hard days surfing one will be in need of some light refreshment and Cabarete has a hundred and one options to choose from.  The town itself is only about 1km in length and is split along the high street. On the beach side there are a multitude of surf schools, equipment rental shops, souvenir shops, beach facing bars and restaurants and a handful of small hotels.  On the road side one will find pretty much the same thing, included in the town there are pharmacies, a world class bakery, little stalls selling fresh produce and fruits, small supermarkets, photography shops, medical centre and internet cafes.

Restaurants range from sushi, pizza’s, veggie only, seafood, homemade soups and steaks to typical Dominican food! Take a walk along the beach in the evening as the place changes from windsurfing mania to candle lit atmospheric restaurants on the beach.  Feeling a little lively then there area also plenty of bar/clubs playing dance music till the sun comes up again and some of the bars like O’Shays have live music over the weekend or Lax will have a DJ polishing his vinyl for you all.

As Cabarete is so compact it is relatively easy to move around, there are the usual modes of transport available like motor concho, gua guas (small mini vans/buses) and private taxi cabs.  Get yourself about as some of the best waves for surfing are just on the outskirts of Cabarete (heading back west) you will find Playa Encuentro Beach with die hard surfers waiting for the light to break in the wee early dawn hours.

About a 1km past Playa Encuentro (still heading west back to Puerta Plata direction) you will find El Rocon.  Access by the main highway. El Rocon is a quiet beach with a fantastic restaurant offering one of the largest menus around.  Fish, seafood, baby lobster can all be had at incredibly reasonable prices and if you’re not feeling fishy then there are always soups, burgers and steaks, salads and sandwiches. (Super clean bathrooms). After you’ve eaten walk down the sandy steps to a deserted beach and have a siesta (there’s a few sunbeds and shade) or have a stroll along the rolling Atlantic coastline, you can even play archery here if you’re up for it!

While you’re in town it’s worth checking out The Blue Moon restaurant( a short drive away from Cabarete east ways). The Blue Moon is set way up a hillside and surrounded by beautiful countryside.  More of a hotel and retreat they do serve dinner and lunch (groups need to reserve in the evening)all food is served on banana leaves, no cutlery and is a delicious Indian extravaganza.  The Blue Moon also has bungalows for rent if you feel like completely chilling out and being one with mother nature.

Apart from surfing and boogie boarding, kite boarding and snorkelling Cabarette offers some of the best mountain bike trails in the Dominican Republic in El Choco, kayaking and canoeing, repelling and hiking are all available here in the surrounding countryside too-if you have any energy left that is!