Article first published on Flight Network- Let's Roll Travel blog
When you picture your ultimate beach vacation, does it involve toes in the sand, gentle sea breezes and abundant sunshine?
A little beach town on the North Shore of the Dominican Republic delivers on all three. Cabarete, DR is a hot little expat and kiteboarding destination–a hidden gem offering relaxation and adrenaline!
Imagine walking out of your hotel, strolling down a soft sandy beach only to find yourself in a row of eclectic beachfront establishments serving up food, music and nightlife. The little town of Cabarete produces dozens of oceanfront restaurants in the sand. No shoes required. And, do not be confused– this is not just a row of delicious fish taco stands–24 eateries, café’s and wine bars connected by sparkly lights, and a sandy path await your exploration. Juicy cheeseburgers, pizza, fresh seafood, even lobster, wine, flan and an Irish Pub are available here.
Barefoot dining- No shoes required
Cabarete is flourishing. Once an empty stretch of beaches, windsurfers and kite boarders discovered the afternoon winds and superb conditions for kiteboarding in the 1980’s. Today, it has been nicknamed the capital of kitesurfing. Expats soon followed, enjoying a sporting paradise with kiteboarding schools and surf shops lining the beaches as well as paddleboards, snorkeling, and diving popularity. Cabarete hosts the annual Kite Boarding World Cup, the International Windsurf Classic and the Masters of the Ocean (Surfing).
Hotels and new condominium developments moved in, supported by Puerto Plata international airport (POP) only a twenty-minute drive away offering a quick two-hour flight to Miami daily, and services to JFK and Canadian destinations.
Cabarete prides itself on a lively international culture with vibrant energy and authentic, friendly locals. Healthy organic foods are abundant with the sporting crowd. Italian and Mediterranean eateries dot the town. Entertainment is not difficult to find. If the nightlife scene, with a variety of live acoustic music and Caribbean dance beat, isn’t for you, then grab a blanket and sit out on the beach and watch the colorful array of kites skimming across the water every afternoon. Be daring and adventurous and take a lesson.
Kite boarding in Cabarete
If tranquility and relaxation are more your speed, pamper yourself with a day at the spa or perhaps floating on an infinity edge pool paralleling the ocean. Let the biggest accomplishment of the day be reading a juicy romance or thriller novel.
The Millennium Resort and Spa is a gorgeous beachfront resort only a ten-minute stroll from the barefoot dining establishments. Kite Beach is around the corner. This lovely resort is a 2014 winner of the World Luxury Hotel Award and boasts modern luxury, spectacular views and one, two and three bedroom residences. On-site amenities include a lobby bar and lounge, Aqua restaurant with pool and beach service, Andari Spa, and Laura Eastman Kite Boarding School ($120-$650 a night depending on unit size).
The Millennium Resort is walking distance or a quick ride on a moto through an authentic Haitian neighborhood to the Natural Monument of Cabarete, where you can take a one hour tour of the caves of Cabarete and jump into an underground swimming hole inside the cave. A boat ride on the lagoon and horseback riding are also available. Forty-five minutes outside of Cabarete, in the town of Imbert, an amazing adventure of twenty-seven waterfalls awaits you. The pools of Damajagua offers falls where you can slide or jump into natural pools.
Check out Cabarete, Dominican Republic and discover an off-the-beaten-path destination in the Caribbean. Step out of the box of the all-inclusive resorts of the southern coast and try something adventurous and alive on the northern coast of the DR. You may never want to leave.
