Think the Dominican Republic is the exclusive domain of beach bums seeking all-inclusive resorts? Think again. Windsurfers first discovered Cabarete in the 1980s, kiteboarders got in on the action in the 1990s and now this tiny village 30 minutes outside of Puerto Plata is an oasis of activity in water, on land and high in the sky.
Each year since 2001, Cabarete’s accommodating waves and smooth island winds have been attracting international competitors and spectators for the Cabarete Professional Kiteboard Riders Association (PKRA) World Cup, which takes place at Bozo Beach.
The rise in popularity of kiteboarding can be attributed to several factors, not the least of which is the adrenalin rush that comes with flying off a massive wave and flipping 360 degrees in midair. Last year, 16-year-old Dominican-born Ariel Corniel took first place, marking the first time a local has won this championship. This year, the event happens June 25-29 and offers a total of $40,000 in cash prizes.
Pablito Guzman’s Cabarete Classic, first held in 2006, has brought windsurfing back to the forefront as well. This year the event takes place July 17-20, and is expected to attract even greater crowds, making it one of the top 10 windsurfing destinations in the world. The semi-circular beach backdropped by hills of lush vegetation creates a unique thermal effect, blending the natural elements of wind and water needed for these sports. Windsurfers hit the beach in the early morning hours, while kiteboarders seek the directional change of winds that the afternoon brings.
When the sun goes down, the sporting goods get packed away and Cabarete’s nightlife begins. As one local website put it, “If you are not having fun in Cabarete, you must be dead.” There are many trendy restaurants, bars and nightclubs frequented by both locals and tourists. Dine at Blue Moon, Bliss or Café Pitu, then try Ono’s, Bambu or LAX for late night fun.
Getting around the region is easy, fun and affordable. You can rent a motorcycle for the day or negotiate a ride in a guagua (van shared with others) or on a moto-concho (multiple person motorcycle); taxis and local buses are also widely available.
There are several other adventure activities within easy reach of Cabarete. Wakeboarding is best done on the river Yasica, scuba diving and snorkelling can be found in nearby Sousua, and Encuentro is considered to be the best place to surf and boogie board. Deep-sea fishing and whale watching can be done within easy reach of the town centre and you can go horseback riding along the ocean coast or through the lush tropical mountain trails. The Cabarete Caves, part of the El Choco National Park, are also a must-see experience for their natural formations dating back over five million years. The guided tour includes an exhibition of Taino relics,
left behind by the original pre-Columbian inhabitants of the island of Hispaniola.
Bike enthusiasts will find plenty of dirt roads for mountain biking, dirt biking, motocross and enduro-biking. There’s even a motocross track 5km outside of town where competitions are regularly held. A great day trip by bike is to do the round trip from Cabarete through Sabaneta, Moca, Tenares, Gaspar Hernandez and back to Cabarete. This route passes through the Cordillera Septentrional mountain area and the cigar-making capital Moca. Local bike shop MX Cabarete has all the necessary equipment and trail maps to take advantage of this biker’s paradise.
Los Charcos of Damajagua/Saltos De Damajagua, locally referred to as the 27 Falls hike, is the place to head for cascading waterfalls, fresh-water swimming and extreme rock climbing. Its location at the head of the 7km Bajaonico River along a geological fault makes it an ideal natural adventure playground. Most individuals hike up to between the sixth and eighth levels, and it’s only the truly adventurous who push the limits to reach the highest waterfall level. The hike between each waterfall level becomes more impressive as sky gets closer. The majority of hikers do this as a day excursion, but there are campsites for those wanting to spend the night beneath the stars. Although the lower trails can easily be done solo, it’s a good idea to hire a local guide or join a group when attempting the more challenging portion at the higher elevation.
Kayakers and whitewater-rafters head to the Rio Yaque del Norte, the longest river in the Caribbean. It’s located near the mountain village of Jarabacoa, where local outfitter Rancho Baiguate offers escorted tours and overnight lodging. The river excursion provides a thrilling experience with runs ranging from Level III to V depending on the rains and the time of year. The guides have named specific parts of the river based on what to expect: Mike Tyson, The Cemetery and Monica Lewinsky provide quick drops, darting rocks and wave swallows, respectively. Nearby, the mountain of Pico Duarte, the highest in the Caribbean, provides hardcore hikers the opportunity to trek to the top and back in a couple of days. Guided tours include food, sleeping bags, tents and a local guide.
Cabarete is also home base for Iguana Mama (www.iguanamama.com), the most well-known and respected adventure tour operator in the region. In fact, they are primarily responsible for developing all of the routes and trails that are used today. Their one-week “Mama Knows Best” tour combines a taste of almost everything the area has to offer, and includes all equipment, guide, airport transfer, transportation, accommodations and most meals.
While in the Dominican, be sure to drink back some Mama Juana, a locally concocted mixture of rum, red wine and honey infused with tree bark and herbs, and referred to locally as liquid Viagara. And, oh yeah, there’s always the option to lie on the beach, soak up the sun and dream about your next adventure.
VITAL STATS
It’s quite easy for a novice to plan a Dominican adventure without having to book an all-inclusive vacation package or having prior sporting experience. Expect to pay around $1,500 for a week including flights, accommodations, lessons and equipment rentals. Most airlines allow windsurfing and kiteboarding gear to be checked if packed properly.
Population: Nearly 10 million.
Currency: Dominican Peso.
Languages spoken: Spanish and English.
Getting there: Westjet Airlines offers non-stop Saturday departures out of Toronto.
Accommodations: The beach is lined with plenty of accommodation options from $20-a-night shared hostels to luxurious private villas. The Albatross and Valero Beach Resort are two centrally located, reasonably priced options.
Food: A combination of Spanish, Taino and African influences.
Music: Merengue, merengue típico (or perico ripiao) and bachata can all be heard in local dancehalls. Dominican rap, or “rap del patio” (street rap) is played in trendier nightclubs
Connectivity: Most hotels and bars, including beach bars, have Wi-Fi access. BD
LINKS TO GET YOU GOING
General:
www.godominicanrepublic.com
Cabarete adventure:
ww.activecabarete.com
Kiteboarding:
ww.cabareteairforce.com,
www.kiteworldtour.com
Windsurfing:
www.cabaretewindsurfing.com,
www.cabarete-classic.com
27 Falls: www.27charcos.com