Cabarete Beach: 13 Things We Loved
Are you planning a trip to Cabarete Beach in the Dominican Republic? Read on the best things to do in Cabarete Beach, travel tips for the Dominican Republic, Cabarete restaurants, and more.
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We’re fresh off a 10-day stay in Cabarete Beach in the Dominican Republic, and it was the best of times… and the worst of times (don’t drink the water; more on that in the “Know Before You Go” section below).
My husband is an avid kiteboarder, and since Cabarete Beach frequently makes the list of the world’s best places to kiteboard, we booked a nice, long stay at this beautiful beach town. It’s easy to fall in love with Cabarete Beach’s turquoise water and the accessibility of adventure sports, but there’s more to Cabarete than soaring over the waves or laying on the sand with a drink in your hand (not that there’s anything wrong with either of those things!).
Check out our favorite things to do in Cabarete Beach below, and make sure to read the Know Before You Go section - seriously, it will help you make the most of your trip and ensure smooth sailing.
13 Best Things to Do in Cabarete Beach, Dominican Republic
Kiteboard at Cabarete Beach.
If Cabarete Beach is known for one thing, it’s kiteboarding. The combination of waves and wind makes the area ideal for both first-timers and veteran kiteboarders, and you’ll find a plethora of kiteboarding schools clustered along the sand between Cabarete and the aptly named Kite Beach.
Since my husband is the kiteboarder in the family, I’ve also picked his brain about the ins and outs of kiteboarding in Cabarete Beach. If you’re interested in knowing more about kiteboarding in Cabarete, you’ll find packing advice, real-life insights about the various kiteboarding spots, and thoughts on lessons here.
Go surfing at Encuentro Beach.
Are you ready to catch a wave? Surfing is another popular way to spend the day in Cabarete, but you’ll find the best surf and surfing schools just north of Cabarete along a pretty stretch of palm-lined sand called Encuentro Beach.
There’s also a tasty breakfast and lunch spot tucked between surf schools called Pura Vida to help you refuel between waves.
Do the Cacao Experience with Vivelo Experiences.
The Cacao Experience with Vivelo Experiences tops my list of favorite memories from our trip to Cabarete Beach. It was so refreshing to step off the beaten path and learn about the cultural and agricultural significance of cacao, from which my beloved chocolate is derived.
Johanna, one of our guides, is a 5th generation cacao farmer with Bonita Cacao, and she had our group of strangers dancing merengue in the sunshine while grinding cacao beans in a 200-year-old mortar and pestle. My only regret is that we didn’t have enough time to join the Mamajuana Experience as well!
Enjoy dinner on the beach.
Trust me, arepas taste better on the beach. Actually, everything tastes better on the beach! Walk along Cabarete Beach, and you’ll have your pick of ocean-front dining right there in the sand, which is just oh-so-romantic.
Our favorite spots are Drifter’s (get the burger), Ojos (try the nachos), Bahia Bazaar (order everything, especially dessert from Cabarete Bakery), and Yalla (the arepas!).
Do you hate sandy feet? Is dining with gritty toes your worst nightmare? Your secret is safe here. Skip the beachside eateries and head to Pho King for the best pho we’ve ever had or to Hotel Ultra Infinity for the Caribean-style chicken curry or the chicken pineapple bowl, which is literally served inside a pineapple.
Do a dive or snorkel in Sosúa Bay.
Beach babies should also plan a trip to Sosúa to take advantage of the calm waters and colorful marine life. My husband had a blast diving there, and it’s only 25 minutes away. There are plenty of snorkeling opportunities in Sosúa as well for novices.
Get a massage.
What’s a vacation without a massage? Massages in Cabarete cost a fraction of what they do where we come from, making a 90-minute massage a delightfully affordable splurge. I fell in love with Natura Cabana during our trip, though we didn’t get to stay there, and my 90-minute massage was heavenly. Most resorts along Cabarete Beach offer spa services if Natura Cabana is too far for you.
Do a fitness class at Natura Cabana.
You can go to a gym anywhere, but only at Natura Cabana can you workout in a massive, beautiful, thatched yoga temple among the trees. We attended a full-body workout and Pilafit class, and both were fabulously challenging. Was I sore after each class? Yes, absolutely. But how else was I going to burn off all those tostones?
Take a long walk on the beach.
The curvature of Cabarete Beach and the constant activity along the shoreline make this a great spot for a walk on the beach. Head out early in the morning to avoid the crowds if you’re running or power walking, or enjoy a leisurely evening stroll and watch the colorful kites floating along the horizon.
Get drinks overlooking the ocean.
Once you experience happy hour with an unobstructed view of Cabarete’s vibrant blue waters, you’ll never want to return to your usual watering hole.
While you can get drinks on the beach pretty much anywhere in Cabarete, you’ll have to peer through the other tables and sunbathers to enjoy views of the ocean.
Hotel Velero, where we stayed, offers bar seating right up along the seawall, so you feel like you’ve left the real world behind. Try an Aperol Spritz (my favorite) or a Rum Punch (my husband’s favorite), and save yourself a few pesos by dropping by during happy hour.
Take the boat to Wilson’s La Boca.
Are you feeling adventurous? And have you rented a car? Head to Wilson’s La Boca! This vibrant, rustic eatery dishes up tasty, fresh, wood-fired seafood right on the beach. The last stretch of the road to get to the beach is on the dicey side, so I don’t recommend going after a heavy rain, and you’ll catch the motorboat ferry across to the restaurant from the parking area- which is all just part of the charm.
However, I wouldn’t plan to hang out on the mainland beach, as the ocean plastic situation is pretty gnarly and depressing.
Lounge around in an infinity pool.
Elbow your way through the influencers to get your iconic infinity pool shot, and then kick back and relax as you break the Internet. Infinity pools abound in Cabarete Beach, and they’re a great way to retreat from the crowds on the beach and still enjoy that Caribean sunshine. If your hotel doesn’t offer a pool, inquire about day passes at the Wyndham.
Meditate.
Do something for you during your Cabarete Beach vacation by dropping in on a guided meditation at Natura Cabana. The classes take place in the yoga temple (see the clip on fitness classes above), and Natura Cabana welcomes the public to purchase a drop-in ticket or one of their visitor pass options.
An anxious person by nature, meditation is not my strong suit, so I wasn’t sure this experience would be a great fit for me. However, both my husband and I loved it, and we left feeling completely relaxed and refreshed. Did one of us snore at the end? Maybe, but I’ll never tell.
Get out on a paddleboard.
If surfing and kiteboarding are a little intense for your taste but you still want to get out on the water, try stand-up paddleboarding! You’ll find plenty of rental options and lessons along the beach in Cabarete, all within easy walking distance of the resorts.
And, finally, a note on the Mundo King Art Museum:
What beach vacation isn’t complete without a freaky alien abduction fever dream? (Most of them, actually.)
I love a deep dive into local history, art experiences, and interesting spots off the beaten track. So, when I stumbled on the Mundo King Art Museum, I was intrigued and figured it would be a great way to explore outside the resort district. I strongly recommend looking into the backstory of this attraction before going, and this Amazon documentary will give you a better understanding of the place. I would have found our weird-ass experience a lot less disturbing and might have stayed longer if we’d had more context… or there were less wasp nests.
Do I recommend going? Honestly, I can’t whole-heartedly endorse this one. But you might be into it, so watch the movie and decide for yourself.
Things to Know Before You Go to Cabarete Beach, Dominican Republic
Be extremely careful about the water you drink.
The tap water in the Dominican Republic is very dangerous and absolutely unfit for human consumption.
I cannot stress this enough, as I’m still sick from our trip, and I did not drink the tap water: be incredibly careful about 1) where your drinking water and ice come from 2) what you use to brush your teeth and wash your face and 3) consider how raw fruits and vegetables are likely washed in the restaurants of your choice.
The roads are straight-up wild.
Cabarete Beach residents make driving look easy, but both my husband and I were white-knuckle-gripping it as we carefully navigated around cars parked half in the road while motopeds passed us on both sides and the occasional driver drove into oncoming traffic without warning. Miraculously, we didn’t witness a single accident, and probably most impressively, we didn’t witness a single incident of road rage. Mad props to the local drivers who make it look like a walk in the park!
It is important to speak some Spanish.
Although the Dominicans are incredibly kind and patient, you are in their country and should show respect for their culture by trying to speak some Spanish. Learn how to greet people, ask if they speak English, and order a meal in Spanish.
Even though our Spanish can be on the questionable side, we always tried and frequently received high-fives and fist bumps for our efforts.
You absolutely need to bring a reusable water bottle.
Plastic pollution and litter are massive problems in the Dominican Republic, and you can ease the strain on the environment and your wallet by bringing a reusable water bottle and filling it from the blue potable filling stations you’ll find in most resorts and hotels. We carried ours everywhere, and it made life so much easier.
Don’t set up camp on the beach near the horseback riding.
Riding horses on the beach sounds romantic, but those horses will and do unabashedly drop bombs all over the beach. Take note of where the horseback riding routes are, and plant your butt in the sand well-clear of that area.
Hoard some toilet paper.
I don’t know how to say this other than to say it, but you should basically accept that you’re likely going to experience an involuntary colon cleanse while in the DR. If you’re planning to head out from your resort for the day or go adventuring, you should pack some toilet paper to bring with you. While most bathrooms are well-stocked along the touristy strip, all bets are off if you head off the beaten track.
Expect to see armed guards and security.
We’re from the Southeastern United States, where guns are pretty commonplace. You can actually fire guns in your backyard in some areas.
However, we connected with some fellow travelers from the Netherlands, and they were shocked and deeply uncomfortable to see private security guards openly carrying shotguns. Firearms are legal in the Dominican Republic, and you can read about the regulations and process for residents to legally carry a firearm here.
Invest in some good bug spray.
According to the CDC, “Dengue is widespread in the Dominican Republic,” and “Malaria is endemic.” Protect yourself with a good bug spray, especially in the evenings.
As a tourist, you need to dispose of your trash responsibly.
The Dominican people working in the hospitality industry are very hospitable, and it can be easy to lean into that life of luxury as a tourist. However, if you’re lounging on a beach chair, don’t just leave your garbage in the sand and assume someone is coming for it - or will be able to grab it before the tide does. You’ll find trash cans located between most of the restaurants in the resort area.
Have you been to Cabarete Beach in the Dominican Republic? What were your favorite spots and activities? Drop ‘em in the comments below!
