Town in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic
Cabarete
A compact beach strip on the north coast, famous for kitesurfing and windsurfing, with beach bars, yoga and a small nomad crowd. Easy to socialise, but sand-road, motorbike-heavy and best Dec–Apr.
At a glance
- Safety4/5Safe with normal careDetails
- Monthly budget$1,430–2,180Comfortable, one person · RD$85,000–130,000Details
- Value for money57/100Better value than 56% of places we coverDetails
- Best time to goDec–MayWarmest: Sep, 30°CDetails
- Internet74 MbpsFixed broadband, Dominican Republic medianDetails
- Tap waterNo, drink bottledDrink bottled or filtered water; restaurants and bars use purified ice.Details
- LGBTQ+3/5Tolerant, but be discreetDetails
- Solo travel4/5English: common in tourist areasDetails
- Doctor's visit$34–76Private clinic, without insuranceDetails
- Getting aroundMotoconchoWalkable centerDetails
- Cash or cardMostly cashCards work at hotels and some restaurants and schools; cash in pesos for motoconchos, small bars, colmados and tips.Details
Where to stay in Cabarete
Areas visitors base themselves in.
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Cabarete centre (Main Street) | Hostels, restaurants and nightlife along the beach |
| Kite Beach (Playa Encuentro side) | Kitesurf schools and quieter, windier stays |
| Sosúa | Larger town nearby with more services, 15 minutes west |
Apps that work in Cabarete
No ride-hailing apps work here; see the taxi note below.
Food delivery
| App | Notes |
|---|---|
| PedidosYa | Limited restaurant coverage in the centre |
- Maps: Google Maps
- Messaging: WhatsApp
- AlertaCOE: Official storm and emergency alerts (Spanish)
- Taxis: Uber is not reliable here. Use taxis, motoconchos or hotel-arranged drivers and agree the fare before getting in.
Cash, cards and tipping
What to carry and how to pay. Money in Dominican Republic.
- Mostly cash Cards work at hotels and some restaurants and schools; cash in pesos for motoconchos, small bars, colmados and tips. ATMs run out of notes at weekends.
- Currency: Peso (DOP). US$1 ≈ RD$59.59 on 03 Oct 2026.
- ATMs: Expect a local fee and low per-withdrawal limits; use ATMs inside banks or malls because of skimming.
- Tipping: Restaurant bills add 18% ITBIS tax and a 10% legal service charge; leave another 5–10% for good service. Tip guides and drivers.
- Paying by phone: Contactless cards, Apple Pay and Google Pay work in malls, chains and hotels; cash elsewhere.
Before you go
Visa and entry
- Fill in the free e-Ticket (entry/exit and customs form) up to 7 days before arriving and before leaving; keep the QR code.
- The US$10 tourist card is included in most airfares; fingerprints and a photo are taken on arrival.
- You may be asked for an onward ticket. Overstays are charged as a fee at the airport when you leave.
Emergency numbers
Tourist police 809-200-3500 · All emergencies 911
Plugs
Type A, B · 120 V, 60 Hz. Do I need an adapter?
SIM and eSIM
Claro or Altice prepaid SIM at the airport or brand stores, with passport; monthly data packs are cheap. eSIMs work for visitors.
More places in Dominican Republic
Going to Cabarete solo?
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Sources
Prices are SoloSquare estimates; climate, air, safety and visa figures come from the sources listed. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.