Cabarete
A small town in the province of Puerto Plata, Cabarete is known for its strong winds, attracting kite-surfer lovers globally. Cabarete is a relatively new tourist development, discovered by Canadian Jean Laporte, who opened a windsurfing school in 1984. Every year, Master of the Ocean, a competition in windsurfing, kite-boarding and surfing takes place here.
Places to Sleep
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Cabarate Beach Hostel: Experience pure backpacker fun at this beachfront hostel! Located right on the beach, you can lay on a hammock while watching the sunset and feeling the ocean breeze. Starting at $10/night
Main Street Sosúa-Cabarete, NR 5, in front of the police station
Email: cabaretebeachhostel@gmail.com
Tel: 809-857-1144
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Laguna Park Hostel: One of the cheapest and cleanest accommodations in Cabarete. They do many activities, in good reason, because they are located at the end of an inside road. It would be ideal to rent a scooter or bicycle to travel back and forth. The hostel has a swimming pool, shared kitchen, parking and pool table and surfing packages. Starting at $12/night
Calle Castillo - Barrio ProCAB
Email: hostel.laguna.park@gmail.com
Tel: 829-804-6640
Website
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Cabarate Hostel: Located in a quiet area of Cabarete, surrounded by coconut palm trees and tropical flowers, this hostel has a great swimming pool and a Caribbean-style restaurant overlooking a beautiful, natural lagoon. Although the hostel is tucked away, it's only a few minutes walk from the beach, shops, grocery stores, and the infamous Cabarete nightlife scene. Starting at $15/night
Calle Bahia 11 - Barrio ProCab
Email: cabaretehostel@gmail.com
Tel: 809-571-0733
Things to do
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Run on the beach/watch the sunset: Cabarete has one of the most illuminating sunsets in the Dominican Republic. So before the sun goes down, run on the beach, feel the sand between your toes and then find a romantic spot and gaze at the changing colors of the sky.​
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Kitesurfing: Cabarete has the strongest winds in the whole island and the reason why travelers come here, specificially to wind and kite-surf. Packages can get quite pricey but if this is your mission, go for it!!​
There are a few places in Cabarete:
(many or all include accommodations)
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Rent a scooter: It is easy to ride a scooter in Cabarete because there isn't much traffic and it is a straight road to other towns like Sosúa and Puerto Plata. There are several scooter rental places on the main strip, however, I tried Duarte's Dirt Bike Rental, and it was great for $20/day.
What I don't recommend is riding to Sosúa at night when just learning how to ride a scooter, picking up a guy friend which you then fall on the ground with him, riding to the club, crashing into another bike while the owner is only a few feet away and then riding back tipsy to Cabarete on a rode with limited lighting and no helmet on. That I wouldn't recommend you do!
Nightlife
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Two for 1 drinks: There's one thing I can say about Cabarete, buying cheap drinks is not a problem! Many of the places offer two drinks for 90 pesos - only $2.30!!! You can choose from rum punch, cuba libre, santo libre or a beer and sometimes mojitos. Happy hour is a little different in Cabarete - it goes from 3pm-6pm or 4-7pm and then 10pm-11pm.
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Bar hop on the beach: There are many bars on the beach. When I first went there I was shocked how Americanized it was because of the psychedelic, surfer music and blonde hair, blue eye surfer dudes.
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​Las Brisas: This nightspot is said to be the only place in Cabarete that play Dominican music. It is also a TexMex restaurant, kitchen closes at 10pm.
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Play pool: Located on top of a store, this billiards place on the main strip loudly playing Dominican music can not be missed. Owned by a German man, the atmosphere is truly Dominican; men playing pool and drinking cold Presidentes. ​
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*Watch out for the sanky-pankys, they are quite aggressive.
Sanky-pankys: a male sex worker, found in the Caribbean in the Dominican Republic. A sanky-panky solicits on the beaches and has clients of both sexes or only women. Read more