Cabarete has been a magnet for independent-minded travellers for decades — first surfers, then kitesurfers, then digital nomads. The town has quietly built the infrastructure to support longer stays: reliable internet, good coffee, healthy food, and a relaxed social scene that doesn't require a car or a big budget to enjoy.
If you're weighing your options for a remote work base in the Caribbean, here's what you need to know about working from Cabarete.
The Internet Situation
Let's start with the thing that matters most. Cabarete has improved dramatically in recent years. Fibre connections are now available in most properties, and speeds of 50–100 Mbps are typical for short and long-term rentals. For video calls, file uploads, and general productivity work, it holds up.
A few caveats worth knowing: the Dominican Republic still experiences occasional power outages, typically short (15–30 minutes) and unpredictable. A good rental like RR210 has a generator backup that kicks in automatically, so your work session won't be interrupted. If you're working with tight deadlines or running live calls all day, it's worth having a mobile data backup — local SIM cards from Altice or Claro are cheap and easy to get.
Where to Work
From the condo
If you're staying at RR210, you have AC, a well-lit living area, a dining table that works as a proper desk, and a balcony when you want fresh air and a view. The building has generator backup for outages and reliable fibre Wi-Fi. For most remote workers, the condo itself is genuinely comfortable to work from all day.
Cabarete's café scene
The main strip has several spots with solid Wi-Fi and good coffee. Bliss is a popular morning favourite. Lax on the beach is relaxed enough to work from if you're not easily distracted. For something quieter, a few cafés just off the main road offer air conditioning and power outlets — ask locals for current recommendations, as the scene evolves.
Co-working
Cabarete doesn't have a dedicated co-working space in the traditional sense, but the town is small enough that you quickly find your spot. Some longer-stay guests set up in beach bars during the quieter morning hours before the wind picks up.
The Daily Rhythm
This is where Cabarete shines for remote workers. The trade winds typically arrive mid-morning and peak in the afternoon — which means if you schedule your focused work in the morning (7am–noon), you can knock off your best hours before the beach calls.
Afternoons are for kite sessions, a swim, the pool, or a beach walk. Evenings are social — cheap local food, fresh seafood, cold Presidente beers, and a town that doesn't feel forced or touristy. It's a rhythm that's easy to fall into.
Getting Around (Hint: You Don't Need to)
One of Cabarete's best qualities for remote workers is that almost everything is walkable. From RR210 you can reach:
- Janet's Supermarket (both locations) — proper grocery shopping, walking distance
- Restaurants, beach bars, and cafés — all on the main strip or just off it
- ATM, pharmacy, bakery, and gym — all within a 5–10 minute walk
- Kite Beach — directly out the front door
You don't need to rent a car or call a moto-taxi for daily life. Everything is right there. For day trips — 27 Waterfalls, Sosúa, Puerto Plata — a taxi or ride-share app handles it easily.
Cost of Living
Cabarete is affordable by Caribbean standards. Rough monthly estimates for a comfortable lifestyle:
- Local lunch at a colmado or small restaurant: $3–6 USD
- Dinner at a mid-range beach restaurant: $12–20 USD per person
- Cold beer (Presidente): $2–3 USD
- Groceries for a week (cooking at home): $50–80 USD
- Motorbike taxi anywhere in town: $1–2 USD
If you cook most meals at home and live modestly, you can live well for $1,500–2,000 USD/month including accommodation. If you eat out often and take kitesurfing lessons, budget more like $2,500–3,500.
Visa and Stays
Most nationalities get 30 days on entry, extendable to 60 days without leaving. Longer stays require a visa extension or a short border run. Many nomads do a monthly rhythm — 30 days in Cabarete, a weekend in Puerto Rico or Colombia, then back. The DR's tourist card ($10 USD, usually included in your flight) covers you for stays up to 30 days.
Who Cabarete Works Well For
Cabarete is a great remote work base if you:
- Value outdoor activity and want a sport to develop alongside your work
- Prefer an authentic small town over a polished resort area
- Are self-directed and don't need a structured co-working community
- Want warm weather and the Caribbean without paying Barbados or St. Barts prices
It's less ideal if you need a large expat community, a formal co-working space, or consistent back-to-back meetings without any connectivity risk.
Make Cabarete Your Base
RR210 is a 2-bedroom condo right on Kite Beach — proper Wi-Fi, generator backup, AC throughout, and a balcony with ocean views. Birgit, our local property manager, specialises in longer stays and will make sure you're set up from day one.
Inquire About Long Stays →