Most people come to Cabarete for the kites. Many end up staying much longer than planned — not because they can't stop kitesurfing, but because the rest of the north coast turns out to be extraordinary. Within 45 minutes of Kite Beach you have lush mountain rainforests, coral reefs, volcanic caves, colonial forts, and one of the world's best whale watching experiences. Here are 15 things worth putting on your list.
On the Water
Surf at Playa Encuentro
The Dominican Republic's best surf break is right next door. Encuentro has multiple peaks that work for everyone from total beginners taking their first lesson to experienced surfers charging the outer reef. Early mornings are best — the trade winds haven't picked up yet and the waves are clean. Several good surf schools operate on the beach.
Dive or snorkel at Sosúa
Sosúa Bay is calm, protected, and blessed with coral reefs and clear warm water. It's consistently ranked among the Caribbean's best dive destinations — you'll see turtles, rays, moray eels, and hundreds of tropical fish species on a single dive. Several dive shops offer single dives, PADI courses, and guided snorkel trips. Non-divers can snorkel right off the beach.
Stand-up paddleboarding at Cabarete Bay
The main Cabarete Bay is sheltered and calm in the mornings before the trade winds kick in — ideal conditions for SUP. Rentals are available right on the beach. It's a lovely way to see the coastline from the water, and the bay is usually deserted early in the morning.
Wing foiling lessons
The newest craze in Cabarete is wing foiling — a hybrid of kitesurfing and windsurfing that involves riding a hydrofoil while holding an inflatable wing. Several local schools now offer lessons, and the conditions in Cabarete are ideal for it. If you already kitesurf or windsurf, you'll pick it up faster than you'd expect.
Into the Mountains
27 Waterfalls of Damajagua
This is the bucket-list day trip from Cabarete, and it genuinely delivers. You hike up through rainforest to 27 natural waterfall pools, then make your way back down by jumping, sliding, and swimming through each one. It's exhilarating without being terrifying — guides are excellent and safety is taken seriously. A full trip covers about 7 of the 27 pools; the upper falls require a longer hike. Go early to avoid groups. See our complete Damajagua guide for everything you need to know.
El Choco National Park
A surprising natural world sits just inland from Cabarete. El Choco National Park has jungle trails, ancient limestone caves with stalactites and stalagmites, and hidden cenotes (sinkholes filled with cool clear water) you can swim in. It's a completely different side of the north coast and a perfect half-day if you need a break from the beach.
Cable car to Isabel de Torres
The Caribbean's only cable car climbs to 793 metres above Puerto Plata, where a replica of Rio's Cristo Redentor stands at the summit of Isabel de Torres National Park. On a clear day the views stretch across the entire north coast — you can see Cabarete from up there. There's a botanical garden at the top and several trails through cloud forest. Well worth an afternoon.
History & Culture
Puerto Plata town & Fort San Felipe
Puerto Plata is a proper Dominican city with a fascinating personality. The Victorian-era gingerbread houses along the main streets were built by merchants in the 1880s and are unlike anything else in the Caribbean. Fort San Felipe, built by the Spanish in 1577, sits at the tip of the bay and is remarkably well preserved. The Malecón seafront promenade is lively in the evenings with local food stalls and music.
Brugal Rum distillery tour
Brugal is to the Dominican Republic what Jack Daniel's is to Tennessee — it's deeply embedded in local culture. Their original distillery in Puerto Plata offers guided tours that walk you through the production process from sugar cane to barrel to bottle. Free tastings at the end are generous. Even if rum isn't your thing, it's an interesting window into Dominican history and industry.
Cabarete nightlife
Cabarete punches well above its weight for nightlife. The strip of beach bars and clubs along the main beach comes alive after 10pm — a mix of locals, expats, and travellers from every continent. Bachata and merengue are constants, there's usually live music somewhere, and the general vibe is relaxed and welcoming. It's the kind of place where you go for one drink and stay until 3am.
Wildlife & Nature
Whale watching at Samaná
Every January to March, thousands of humpback whales migrate to Samaná Bay to mate and give birth. It's one of the largest humpback whale concentrations in the world, and the boat trips to see them are genuinely spectacular — these are enormous, acrobatic animals and they're not shy. The drive to Samaná takes you through some beautiful mountain scenery. Worth making the trip if your visit overlaps with the season.
Ocean World Adventure Park
Ocean World near Puerto Plata offers swim-with-dolphins experiences, shark encounters, sea lion shows, and snorkeling in a large lagoon. It's unabashedly a tourist attraction, but a well-run one — the facilities are good and kids absolutely love it. A nice full-day option for families travelling with younger children.
Kayaking in the mangroves at La Boca
Where the Yásica River meets the sea east of Cabarete, there are calm lagoons surrounded by mangroves full of bird life. Kayak rentals are available and you can spend a peaceful morning paddling through channels that feel like the middle of the jungle. Local food shacks by the river serve fresh fish for lunch afterwards.
Beaches
Playa Grande
When Cabarete locals want to escape the kite school crowds for a day, many of them drive to Playa Grande. It's a long, wild, uncrowded beach with golden sand, turquoise water, and dramatic cliffs at each end. There are a handful of simple seafood shacks right on the beach serving the freshest fish you'll taste all trip. Don't let the 45-minute drive put you off — it's worth it.
Buggy or horseback riding through the countryside
Several tour operators offer half-day buggy tours or horseback rides through the villages and farmland inland from Cabarete. You pass through cacao and coffee plantations, local villages, and mountain scenery that most tourists never see. It's a great way to get a feel for rural Dominican life and meet people beyond the tourist bubble of the beach.
The Perfect Base for All of This
RR210 at Royal Residences puts you right on Kite Beach with easy access to everything on this list. 2 bedrooms, ocean view balcony, private pool — and Birgit to help you plan every day.
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