Cabarete has been our wonderful home base in the Dominican Republic.  We rented an apartment here for three weeks, and it has been superb.

Cabarete is the adventure sports capital of the country, not that we have really noticed!  Kite surfing is very popular here with many schools.  Every time we go to the beach we are greeted with a horizon full of kites.  There are also ziplines and cave tours in the immediate area.  This post will not be about these or adventure sport opportunities.  S and Z aren’t really up for mountain biking or wind surfing quite yet!  There are still plenty of things to do in Cabarete though, especially if you are on a budget.

Our guide book talks about it “booming” with development and, while that might be true relative to other towns in the area, it is still very low key with not much in the way of noticeable resorts.  It is very much a one street town.  This one street is lined with shops, restaurants, bars and cafes, but there’s not really all that much here.  It reminds me of Kata in Phuket, for anyone that has been there.  It is like a cross between a Thailand beach town and Central America.

Main street in Cabarete

It is a nice low key town to relax in while still having everything you need at your finger tips. It seems to attract all types – there are plenty of families, young singles, older couples, everyone!  It is also close to all the attractions of Dominican Republic’s north coast so it is easy to visit other places from here.

Here are 6 fun things to do in Cabarete and the immediate area on a budget either with or without kids.

1. Cabarete Beach

Cabarete beach

Cabarete beach is a gorgeous lovely beach, perfect for everyone.  It is a decent size, and although parts can be quite full with lounge chairs, there is still plenty of space and you don’t have to walk far to avoid these areas all together.  We were here in peak time and it did not feel crowded to us.  Just enough people to give it a great vibe.

Cost: free!

2. Cocktails at the beach

My view – coconut cocktail and S and Z playing

Piggy backing off the last one, it would be a crime not to enjoy some afternoon cocktails at the beach during your time in Cabarete.  This is a perfect one with little kids, as you can sit back and enjoy a cocktail while your kids happily play in the sand next to your lounge chair.  This was probably our favourite thing to do in Cabarete!

Cost: About $5 will get you a cocktail.  Pay $1 more and get one in a coconut or a pineapple!

3. Explore Puerto Plata

Checking our Parque Central

Puerto Plata is the major town in the area.  It is a nice place to go for a wander, eat a seaside lunch and explore the fort.  You can read about our time in Puerto Plata.

Cost: Just over $1 each way in a guagua

4. Explore Sosua beach

The path along Sosua Beach

Sosua is another beach town located only twenty minutes from Cabarete.  The beach is smaller, but perhaps prettier and lined with a great beach path from which you can sit, eat, drink and watch the world go by.  We loved Sosua and you can read more about heavenly Sosua Beach.

Cost: Just over $1 return in a guagua

5. Explore Playa Grande

Reputed to be one of the most beautiful beaches in the Dominican Republic, Playa Grande is about an hour and a half from Cabarete by guagua.  Picture perfect with crystal blue water, palm trees and stark white cliffs, Playa Grande is a beautiful place to get away from it all.  At one end you will find vendors who will take care of whatever you need, but you can escape these people as well.

Cost: About $3 each way

6.Relax by your pool

If you are staying somewhere with a pool, it’s hard to beat just walking outside and relaxing by the pool.  This was one of our favourite activities and it’s hard to beat in terms of relaxation factor!

Cost: free

You can read more about our stay in Cabarete, how to get here from Santo Domingo and about our time in the Dominican Republic.

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