Cabarete

Some great activities for the kids in Cabarete can be found here.
Kids Activities

Great list of excursions from Cabarete.

Cabarete Excursions

Bordered by the foothills of the Cordillera Septentrional to the south and the Cabarete Lagoon to the North, the park guards 77 square kilometers (48 square miles) of pasture land, lagoon, jungle, tropical plants, Caribbean birds, caves, and abruptly jutting hills. Many of the freshwater springs encountered in the park have subterraneous origins deep in the belly of the earth.

Unlike much of the Lesser Antilles islands, the majority of the Dominican Republic does not have volcanic origins. The subtle collision of tectonic plates below the Earth’s crust around 50 million years ago pushed the ocean floor up in jagged points. Years of erosion have rounded the points giving the foothills seen from Cabarete the appearance of a green upside-down egg crate. Once in the park, it is obvious that these hills are actually old coral reefs.

An area of astounding beauty and many hidden secrets, the Area Protegida Cabarete and Goleta should not be missed. Accessible from either end of Cabarete, a visit can last from just a few hours to the entire day. It is VERY easy to become disoriented in the park due to the dizzying maze of unmarked footpaths and the extremely lush vegetation. We highly recommend that your first visit be with a reputable guide company. The funky named and internationally renown, “Iguana Mama”, leads 1 hiking and 3 mountain bike trips in and around the protected area. At the Callejon entrance, there is also the Cabarete Caves Company, which offer 1.5 hour tour suited for all ages. It leads through impressive areas and hillls accomanied by very interesting explanations.

HOW TO GET THERE: While there are several dirt paths and small rocky mule trails leading into the Area Protegida Cabarete y Goleta, there are two main entrances. Located on the eastern side of Cabarete at the end of the “Callejon de la Loma” road, about a 15-minute walk from the center of town, visitors may gain access to the park at the “Cabarete Caves” office. For a more remote experience, a 5-km (3-mile) ride in guagua or carro publico heading west out of town will bring you to the roadside community of Islabon. Just before the Islabon bridge, a small road proudly bears the sign “Area Protegida Cabarete y Goleta” at its entrance on the right-hand side. A 5-minute walk brings you to the park entrance. Visitors should expect to pay RD$50 per person to a National Park official for admittance at both entrances.

Iguana Mama – hiking
From Pico Duarte, the highest point in the Caribbean, to the manicured gardens atop Mt. Ysabel de Torres overlooking Puerto Plata bay, to its endless array of unpaved roads winding through colorful Dominican communities, the DR has something to offer to all hikers.

Looking to do some golfing on your Cabarete Vacation? Look no further. Just minutes outside Cabarete you can enjoy a quick 9 hole round. With very reasonable green and caddy fees you want to play again and again. For the serious golfer, there are 2 18 hole course. One is 30 minutes away and was designed by Trent Jones, Sr in the Playa Dorada Area. His other course Playa Grande is an hour away. Holes running along side of ocean cliffs brings on and experience like no other!

Golf Courses in the DR

COSTA AZUL – Cabarete Golf Club
“Costa Azul” is picturesquely situated near the road. It is partly surrounded by luxurious residences.

Playa Grande
“This course, one of the most beautiful in the Caribbean, was designed by the celebrated architect Robert Trent Jones Sr., on an area of more than 150 hectares (370 acres), it was inaugurated in 1997. Ten of 18 holes are played along the seacliffs, over their bays and gulches.” This course is a beautiful 45 minute coastal drive from Cabarete

Playa Dorada
“The Playa Dorada Golf Course was founded in 1984 and designed by the golf architect Robert Trent Jones, Sr.. It has wide fairways, 4 greens by the sea-side, 5 greens are set bordering inland water.” This course is located 30 minutes from Cabarete.

If you are the type to hike out in the open, breathing in the fresh air and taken in the scenery then Cabarete is your destination.
Colorful communities, welcoming smiles, and incredible Caribbean vistas can be found at any turn.

Iguana Mama – hiking
From Pico Duarte, the highest point in the Caribbean, to the manicured gardens atop Mt. Ysabel de Torres overlooking Puerto Plata bay, to its endless array of unpaved roads winding through colorful Dominican communities, the DR has something to offer to all hikers.

Scuba diving & Snorkeling in the Dominican Republic

Whether you’re an experienced diver, or just beginning, you’re bound to enjoy underwater exploration, either snorkeling or diving in the reef areas found off the coasts of the Dominican Republic. You can see a spectacular array of colorful marine life in these incredibly clear Caribbean waters. In some areas, you can dive to underwater caves or shipwrecks that have been at the bottom of the sea for hundreds of years. On the North Coast, there are diving spots between La Isabela and Monte Cristi (west of Puerto Plata) and at the eastern tip of the Samaná Peninsula (eastern tip of the country), but the most popular on the North Coast is the Sosua area, just 10 minutes from Puerto Plata International Airport. This area offers everything from shallow water reef dives to deep water wall dives. On the South Coast, there are good dive spots near Bahia de Neiba (east of Barahona), Isla Catalina (near La Romana), Isla Saona (east of Bayahibe), and Parque Nacional La Caleta (east of Santo Domingo). There are also a number of spots off the southeastern coasts near Punta Cana and Bavaro. Whether you desire gear rental or PADI diving certification, a number of dive centers located in or near these destinations can help prepare you for your underwater adventure.

Like to Dirtbike? Great cause Cabarete has thousands of trails crisscrossing valleys, mountains, jungles, rivers and villages.
Cabarete is home to many motocross and eduro riders. Come on down and rent a bike and have the time of your life!

MX Cabarete – motorsports
Motocross lessons, Dirt-bike adventure tours, Eduro tours

Who wouldn’t want to see Cabarete via horseback? Your vacation would not be complete without horseback through the beautiful landscapes Cabarete has to offer.

Watch a video of some horseback riding in Cabarete. I want to be there so bad!!

Places to Horseback Ride -

Highwind Center
A large selection of Criollo horses is waiting for you. Discover the Jungle, cross shallow rivers, galop along beaches, ride through dense mountain forests – touring the Dominican Republic’s North Coast on horseback is one of the most scenic ways to enjoy the natural beauty of the region. Remember to bring your camera and put your swimm suit on – under the riding cloth !

I doubt your gonna bring your own mountain bike to Cabarete, but thats cool. You don’t have too. Cabarete has many options for mountain biking. The trails are breathtaking and there is something for everyone, beginners or advanced. Go mountain biking and se the true beauty of the Dominican countryside.

Mountain Bike Clubs -

Iguana Mama – biking
The Dominican Republic is a mecca for bikers of all levels. Its diverse terrain offers cyclists breathtaking downhills, challenging single track and easy coast cruises. A bike is undoubtedly the best way to see the true Dominican countryside!

Bike Shops

Puerto Plata (Cabarete)

Iguana Mama
Calle Principal, Cabarete
tel: 571 0908
Specialized

Santo Domingo

Casa de las Bicicletas
Av R Betancourt 249
tel: 535 2565
fax: 532 0215
Cannondale

Bicinelson
Av R Betancourt 1370
tel: 534 7374
GT, Dyno

Planet Bike
Gaspar Polanco
Mirador del Norte
tel: 535 2152
Trek

Kamikaze
Rafael Augusto Sanchez 8
tel: 616 2399
fax: 412 5076
email: cmabreu@tricom.net

Giant
Aro y Pedal
Av 27 de Febrero 112
tel: 686 5861

Jamis
2 Rueda y Mas
Av Independencia
Frente Cervceria nac. Dominicana
tel: 533 2783
GT, Dyno

Santiago

Bicicentro
Bartolome Colon Esq 27 Febrero
Frente a Ferreteria MC
tel: 582 4146 / 471 7146
fax: 247 4641
email: bicicentro@codetel.net.do
GT, Dyno

Moca

Centro Comercial Perez
Av. Independencia 47
tel: 578 2833
Klein, Trek, Giant

Who loves to wakeboard? I do, I do. If you love wakeboarding then Cabarete is going to make you fall in love even more.
On the rive Yasica, 7km outside of Cabarete, we have super flat water just waiting for the wakes to form and for you to jump them.

Other Wakeboarding Clubs -

Cabarete Wakeboard School – wakeboarding
Wakeboard on absolutely flat water on a fantastically beautiful tropical river just 7km from Cabarete center. Our boat and all equipment is nothing but the best.