Top activities in Cabarete
- Kitesurfing at Kite Beach: world-class spot with schools, rentals and steady 18-25 knot trade winds from noon onwards.
- Surfing at Encuentro Beach: morning surf from dawn to 11 AM with waves for every level. Lessons from $40.
- Windsurfing in the main bay: historic windsurf spot where the sport put Cabarete on the map in the 1980s.
- 27 Charcos day trip: easy 1-hour transfer to Damajagua.
- El Choco caves: limestone caves 10 minutes from town with a lagoon, bats and swim spots.
- Lagoon kayak tour: Goleta lagoon sunset paddle, 2 hours, $35-45.
- Horseback riding: beach rides at sunset, $45-60 for 90 minutes.
Best time for each sport
| Sport | Best months | Best time of day |
|---|---|---|
| Kitesurfing | Dec-Aug | 12:00-5:00 PM |
| Windsurfing | Dec-Aug | 12:00-5:00 PM |
| Surfing | Nov-Apr | 6:00-11:00 AM |
| Kayaking | Year-round | Sunrise or sunset |
Where to eat and drink
Cabarete beach strip is a mile of restaurants and bars on the sand. Bliss for Italian, Le Petit Francais for crepes, Mojito Bar for nightlife, and Vagamundo Coffee for a relaxed morning. Most places offer happy hour from 5 to 7 PM.
Combine with Damajagua
Many Cabarete operators run Damajagua day trips. Pickup around 8:00 AM, full day canyoning adventure and back by 3:30 PM. The scenic drive through the hills to Imbert is part of the charm.
Frequently asked questions
Cabarete is famous for kitesurfing and windsurfing thanks to steady afternoon trade winds. It also has great morning surf at Encuentro Beach, river and lagoon kayaking at Goleta and El Choco, plus a lively beach bar nightlife.
Yes. Cabarete has dozens of schools offering beginner kite, wind and surf lessons. The bay is shallow and wide, which makes learning safer. Multi-day camps for kite or surf start around $350-500.
Cabarete is 55 km (about 1 hour 10 minutes) east of Puerto Plata along the coastal road. From Sosua it is 15 minutes. Most visitors rent a car or use private transfers at $40-60 each way.
