This was the questions I asked myself when I was booking our trip to the Dominican Republic.  Both Las Terrenas and Cabarete sounded like great places to visit.

We knew we wanted a beach town where we would relax for a few weeks and these seemed like the obvious choices.  Really, the only reason I picked Cabarete was because I found a great holiday rental deal.

Cabarete beach?

Or Las Terrenas?

Both places were talked up everywhere.  When I talked to my host in Santo Domingo about it, he said either option is good and basically that I couldn’t go wrong with either choice.  I would have to agree!  They are both lovely places, and it’s great staying in both.

I thought I would draw up a list of the similarities and differences between both places, either to help anyone else who wants to choose one, or so that you can learn more about both beach towns.  Here it is!

Similarities between Cabarete and Las Terrenas

• They are both beach towns in the Dominican Republic.
• They are both tourist towns – in as far as towns are in the Dominican Republic.  Neither is that built up or that full of people, even in high season which is when we were there.
• They both have great beaches.
• They both have plenty of eating and drinking options.
• They are both on guagua routes.
• They both have sub standard footpaths.

Eating by the beach in Las Terrenas

Differences between Cabarete and Las Terrenas

• The beach at Cabarete is wider and arguably better.  However, the beach at Las Terrenas is not lined with buildings, so there is better access and this can look prettier.
• There are more eating and drinking options with many lounge chairs right on the beach in the town of Cabarete.  However, in Las Terrenas there are definitely more charming places to eat or drink on the beach with their line of beach shacks.
• There are nicer looking shops in Las Terrenas.
• Las Terrenas has less crazy traffic with better footpaths (although still not great). There is a nice road along the beach in Las Terrenas.  The roads in the center are one way which helps too.
• There are better eating options in Las Terrenas.  There is an awesome gelato shop in Las Terrenas.  Wine is cheaper in Las Terrenas.
• There seem to be far more locals around in Las Terrenas and, for this reason, it doesn’t feel as touristy as Cabarete.
• The guaguas are much easier to catch in Cabarete which makes it easier to explore further afield.
• Las Terrenas feels more European than Cabarete.  Cabarete reminds me more of a beach town in SE Asia.
• Cabarete is the place to go kite surfing and I think it has more adventure options than Las Terrenas.
• There are whale watching opportunities from Las Terrenas if you are there at the right time of year (we were).

Price?

I think the accommodation in Las Terrenas is more expensive, but the food is a bit cheaper.  It is definitely cheaper to be able to sit by the beach and have a drink or a snack in Las Terrenas.  However, it is not as easy to get around, so transportation seems cheaper in Cabarete.

Our verdict?

I love the more low key atmosphere on Las Terrenas beach

It is hard for me to recommend Las Terrenas over Cabarete simply because we have spent 3 weeks in Cabarete, and it will always have a special place in our hearts.  Otherwise, though, I think I preferred Las Terrenas.

It does depend what you are after though.  If you love to spend all day lying on the beach, then Cabarete’s wider beach may be a better match.  If you are a kite surfer, then definitely pick Cabarete.

If you want somewhere that feels a bit more low key with more locals around, but still with good food places and tourist comforts, then Las Terrenas is a better choice.

Of course, you could always be like us and visit both!  Read the details of how to travel between Cabarete and Las Terrenas.

What do you think?  Which sounds better?