Cabarete, Dominican Republic.
Cabarete, Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic
Cabarete is one long bay on the north coast where the trade wind blows almost every afternoon, and the town grew up around it: kite schools, surf shops and restaurants with their tables on the sand. It draws kiters, surfers and a large community of long-stay visitors and remote workers, and Dominicans fill it at Easter — it was Airbnb’s top trending destination for Semana Santa 2026.
Sosúa, ten minutes west, is its opposite: a sheltered bay with calm water for swimming and snorkelling. This guide covers both — the wind and the waves, the caves and the day trips, what it all costs and when to come.
Local hosts in Cabarete and Sosúa
We are signing up the kite schools, guides and drivers of Cabarete and Sosúa now. Until they are listed here, the guide on this page has what you need to plan.
Run a kite school, tours or a taxi in Cabarete or Sosúa? Talk to usKitesurfing and windsurfing
Kite Beach — at the western end of town, where most of the schools are, with flatter water inside a reef close to shore.
Bozo Beach — the downwind end of the main beach, with more room to launch and land. Named, the locals say, after the beginners who cannot get back upwind and wash up there.
Cabarete Bay — the windsurfers’ water, in front of the town. La Boca, the flat river mouth, is for advanced riders only.
The wind usually builds after midday and blows until sunset. Kiters rate two windows: December to April, and June to August, when it is often strongest. There are no rescue boats, so beginners should stay with a school.
Lessons — private kite lessons run about US$79–89 an hour, so a beginner’s first two or three hours cost roughly US$180–270. Children can start from 8 years old and 30 kg, and every student must be able to swim.
Surf at Playa Encuentro
Six kilometres west of town, Encuentro is the surf beach — several breaks over reef, with rideable waves on most days of the year. The biggest swells come from November to March; summer waves are smaller and kinder to beginners.
A surf lesson costs about US$50–75 for an hour and a half, board included. Go in the morning, before the wind picks up.
Beyond the beach
El Choco National Park and the Cabarete caves — walking distance from town. The guided cave tour takes about an hour and a half, with two swims in clear pools twenty-five metres underground. The park also runs a lagoon boat, hikes, horseback rides and birdwatching. Entry prices vary — ask at the gate.
Sosúa — ten minutes west. Playa Sosúa is a calm turquoise bay, busy with Dominican families, with snorkel gear for rent on the sand; Playa Alicia is quieter. The bay is the coast’s dive centre — a two-tank dive starts around US$125. The small Jewish Museum in El Batey tells the story of the refugees who settled Sosúa in 1940; it opens weekday mornings, so check before you go.
The 27 waterfalls of Damajagua — about an hour’s drive. Guided tours with pickup in Cabarete cost about US$75 with lunch.
Laguna Gri-Gri — at Río San Juan, about an hour east: a one-hour mangrove boat ride for about US$50 per boat (up to seven people), and Playa Grande nearby.
Horseback riding — beach and mountain rides from about US$45, or US$85–95 for three hours.
Canyoning — full-day canyon descents in the mountains behind the coast, with pickup in town.
Getting there and getting around
From the airport — Puerto Plata’s Gregorio Luperón airport (POP) is in Sosúa, twenty to thirty minutes from Cabarete. A taxi costs about US$35–65 depending on the company; Sosúa is ten minutes from the terminal.
Getting around — the coast road is served by *guaguas* (shared minibuses) between Puerto Plata, Sosúa and Cabarete for a few dozen pesos, and *motoconchos* (motorbike taxis) for short hops. Fares go up after dark.
On to Samaná — Las Terrenas is about 2 h 45 min by road and Samaná town about 3 hours, along the coast through Río San Juan and Nagua. There is no direct bus: by public transport you change in Sánchez and it takes most of a day. A private transfer from Sosúa or Cabarete to Las Terrenas costs about US$170 per car with drivers listed on Exploras.
When to go
There is wind most of the year, so the best months depend on what you came for: December to April and June to August for kiting, November to March for the biggest surf, summer for gentle beginner waves.
Rain: the wettest months on this coast are November and December, then January; June to September are the driest. The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June to November. Semana Santa is the busiest week of the year — book early.
Frequently asked questions
How far is Cabarete from Puerto Plata airport?
About 17 to 20 km, twenty to thirty minutes by road. The airport (POP) is in Sosúa, so Sosúa itself is only ten minutes away. A taxi from the airport to Cabarete costs about US$35–65.
When is the wind season in Cabarete?
The wind blows most of the year and usually builds after midday. Kiters rate two windows: December to April, and June to August, when it is often strongest.
How much is a kitesurfing lesson in Cabarete?
Private lessons cost about US$79–89 an hour, so a beginner’s first two to three hours run roughly US$180–270. Group lessons are a little cheaper per person. Children can start from 8 years old and 30 kg.
Cabarete or Sosúa for swimming?
Sosúa. Its bay is sheltered and calm, with good snorkelling. Cabarete’s beach faces the open Atlantic and the wind, and swimming is sometimes banned on days with big waves.
Can you swim in the Cabarete caves?
Yes. The guided tour of the caves in El Choco National Park includes two swims in clear pools about twenty-five metres underground. It takes around an hour and a half.
Is there a bus from Cabarete to Las Terrenas?
Not a direct one. By public transport you change in Sánchez, which takes most of a day. By car it is about 2 h 45 min along the coast; a private transfer costs about US$170 per car.