Travel guides7 min read
The Perfect 3-Day Cabarete Itinerary (From Someone Who Lives Here)
Planning a trip to Cabarete? Here's my perfect 3-day itinerary with the best beaches, cafés, sunsets, surf spots and local restaurants from someone who actually lives here.
3 day Cabarete itinerary
Forget the all-inclusive vacation.
Cabarete is the kind of place where your morning starts with coffee by the ocean, afternoons disappear between beaches and sunsets somehow turn into dinner with new friends. I've lived here for over five years (and been coming since I was a teenager), so this is the itinerary I'd give my own friends if they were visiting for the first time (or the second).
It's relaxed, realistic and full of the places I would return to.
Day 1: fall in love with Cabarete Bay
Start slow. Cabarete isn't a city you need to rush through.
8:30 AM
Breakfast by the beach
Grab breakfast overlooking Cabarete Bay. Mornings are usually calm, making it the perfect way to get your first feel for town. Order some fresh tropical fruit and Dominican coffee, and take your time watching the kites slowly appear on the horizon.
If you’re not staying somewhere beachfront, these are some of my favorite breakfast spots:
- Tamar at Millennium Hotel
- Serenade at Hotel Villa Taina: their all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet is a favorite and open to the public
- Front Loop: I love their waffles
- Sunset Grill at Velero Beach Resort (amazing views)
10:00 AM
Walk the entire bay
One of my favorite things about Cabarete is that almost everything is walkable.
Spend an hour walking from one end of the bay to the other. You'll pass colorful beach bars, local vendors, boutique hotels and plenty of places you'll want to come back to later.
1:00 PM
Lunch with your feet in the sand
Don't overplan lunch. Pick whichever beachfront restaurant catches your eye—that's honestly part of Cabarete's charm.
5:30 PM
Sunset cocktail
Even if you're not staying there, Hotel Villa Taina is one of my favorite places to end the day.
Happy hour runs daily, and watching the sun disappear over the bay is one of those simple moments that reminds you why people keep coming back to Cabarete.
Day 2: surf, coffee & hidden corners
Today is about seeing a completely different side of town.
8:00 AM
Playa Encuentro
Whether you surf or not, Encuentro is worth visiting.
This beach feels wilder than Cabarete Bay, with lots of space to walk along the shore, palm trees and some of the best waves on the North Coast. Grab a coffee and watch the morning surf session before the heat sets in.
The best time to surf is early morning!! Ideally before 9 am.
11:30 AM
Explore the neighborhood
If you have a little extra time, stay around Encuentro, and explore what’s around you. Most visitors know it for its surf, but there’s more to this area than the waves.
Encuentro has a much quieter, more laid-back feel than central Cabarete, with a growing community of families, creatives and people who have chosen to make this part of the North Coast home.
It’s also one of my favorite areas for a slow morning. Grab breakfast at Bonsai or The Spot, right by the surf beach, and if you’re lucky enough to catch them fresh, stop at 100% Pan in Plaza Encuentro for one of their cinnamon rolls or some freshly baked bread.
You don’t need to spend the whole day here. A few hours is enough to get a feel for Encuentro, watch the surfers or take a surfing class (best in the early morning), grab something good to eat and see a completely different side of Cabarete.
And if you’re a surfer, or want to try surfing, this is definitely the place to add to your itinerary.
Afternoon
Slow afternoon back in town…
Spend the afternoon exploring Cabarete’s local shops. Find colorful Havaianas at Tienda Loca, jewelry and creative accessories at Fred Joyas or Bead It, beachwear at The Beach Box Boutique, and Cabarete-branded shirts and souvenirs at Lili Lou.
Then slow down by the beach, read a book, play some beach volleyball or simply do nothing. If you get hungry, grab a quick lunch at Mojito Bar, Serenade, Ojo or Fresh Fresh Café.
Cabarete is one of those places where doing less feels like doing more.
…or go to La Boca
For something more adventurous, head to La Boca and have a giant fried fish at Wilson’s Restaurant (location: Wilson La Boca). Getting there is part of the fun, you take a little boat across the river mouth to reach the restaurant.
You'll enjoy a beautiful natural setting, a very local atmosphere and, when the wind is up, plenty of kitesurfers on the water.
Day 3: river fun & caribbean luxury
For your last day, experience another side of the North Coast.
Morning
Wellness and breakfast at Natura Cabana
Start the morning at Natura Cabana with a yoga or fitness class, a relaxing spa treatment, or simply a beachfront breakfast or brunch.
Afterwards, take a little walk along the beach and enjoy the peaceful surroundings. It’s the perfect place to slow down and ease into the day.
And if you happen to be here when the Natura Cabana market is on, definitely check it out, it takes place once a month on a Sunday and is a lovely way to discover local food, crafts and small businesses. Check their instagram to stay up-to-date.
Afternoon
River Flow or horseback riding (Yasica River)
If you're visiting with family or a group of friends, this is such a fun way to spend the day.
Head to the Yásica River for a river adventure with River Flow, or go horseback riding and explore the area from a different perspective.
Get in touch with Brandon at @riverflowdr to organize everything.
One last sunset
The Beach Club at Sea Horse Ranch
Even if you're not staying inside the community, the Sea Horse Ranch Beach Club is one of my favorite settings on the entire North Coast.
Think dramatic coastline, beautifully landscaped gardens and a long lunch overlooking the ocean. If you're celebrating something, order a glass of champagne, you won't regret it.
My favorite places at a glance
- Best beach: Playa Encuentro (not to swim)
- Best sunset: The Beach Club at Sea Horse Ranch / Cabarete Bay
- Best lunch spot: Mojito Bar / Fresh Fresh Cafe
- Best for surfing: Encuentro
- Best walk: Cabarete Bay / Encuentro Beach
- Best for first-time stays: Cabarete Center
- Best for swimming: Playa Sosúa (Sosua Beach)
Where to stay in Cabarete
Instead of searching through dozens of listings, I've put together a small collection of the vacation rentals I personally manage on Airbnb. They're all places I'd recommend to friends visiting Cabarete, with options from beachfront studios to spacious condos for couples, families and longer stays.
If you're staying 2–4 weeks, message me directly. I often have availability that isn't listed on booking platforms.
Before you go: check what's happening in town
Cabarete always has something going on: from kite competitions and live music to yoga retreats, surf events and community markets.
Before your trip, I always recommend checking Kitebarete to see what's happening during your stay. It's also one of the best places to book kitesurfing, wing foiling, surfing and other water sports lessons with local schools.
Browse upcoming events, discover what's happening around Cabarete and book water sports experiences before you arrive.
Is 3 days enough?
Yes, but it'll probably convince you to come back.
Most people arrive for a long weekend and quickly realize Cabarete isn't just a beach destination. It's a lifestyle built around the ocean, outdoor living and a surprisingly international community.
If you're planning a longer trip, I'll also be sharing guides to the best cafés, hidden beaches, day trips and my favorite places around the Dominican Republic. So stay tuned for more interesting travel guides.
And if you know someone who's planning a trip to Cabarete, I'd love if you shared this guide with them.
See you in Cabarete!
Thinking about making the D.R. home? Let’s talk.
Gio
