Living in Cabarete, Dominican Republic: What You Need to Know Before Moving

Thinking about moving to Cabarete?

Living in a Caribbean beach town sounds pretty nice, and in many ways, it is. But living here full-time is very different from spending two weeks here on vacation.

I've been coming to Cabarete for 12 years and have lived here for the last five, so I've experienced both sides. I first came with my family for vacations. Long story short, my dad kitesurfed, we kids started surfing, and we fell in love with the vibe. Eventually, I moved here for work.

Along the way, I learned what I love about living here, what took some getting used to, and what I wish I had known before moving.

So if you're seriously considering making Cabarete home, here's what everyday life actually looks like.

Cabarete is more than a vacation destination

One of the biggest surprises after moving here was realizing how many people actually live in Cabarete year-round.

Before moving, I mostly saw Cabarete as a vacation destination. I didn't realize how many expats and Dominicans from other parts of the country had made it their permanent home.

It's also surprisingly international for such a small town.

On a normal day, I might speak Spanish with one person and English with another, switching between the two constantly.

That mix of cultures is a big part of what makes Cabarete feel different. I love it!

What is everyday life like in Cabarete?

One of the things I like most about living here is the flexibility.

A normal day might start slowly with a coffee. I might work straight away, exercise first, spend the day on my computer creating content, showing properties, or take some time at the beach.

After work, I might play padel, swim, go to the gym or simply walk along the beach.

Some nights I cook at home. Other nights I go out.

And, of course, it's warm almost all year round. I feel forever grateful for this!

What I love about living here

Cabarete makes it easy to build an active and social lifestyle. You don't necessarily have to plan an entire day around an activity.

You can work in the morning, walk to the beach, meet a friend for lunch, play padel in the afternoon (or kitesurf if you are a water sports lover) and watch the sunset in the evening.

Sunset is probably my favorite time of day here.

Spring and summer are my favorite seasons because of the warm weather, colorful sunsets, less rain and, in general, fewer people around.

But living here isn't like living in Europe or North America

This is probably one of the most important things to understand before moving. Things don't always happen the way you planned them.

Things can move slowly, go sideways, and sometimes you need to remind people more than once if you want something done.

Coming from Italy, this definitely took some getting used to. I've learned to be more patient and to accept that not everything needs to happen exactly when I planned it.

If you're moving here, come with a plan, but don't expect everything to follow it.

Where should you live in Cabarete?

The answer depends completely on the lifestyle you want.

If someone tells me, “I want to move to Cabarete. Where should I live?”, my first question is:

What kind of lifestyle do you imagine for yourself?
Do you have a family, or are you planning to start one?

Downtown Cabarete / Cabarete Bay

Best for people who want walkability and convenience.

You have restaurants, nightlife, shops, pharmacies, banks, supermarkets, services, security, and the beach close by.

Cabarete Bay is particularly convenient if you want to walk to most of what you need. You have amazing beachfront gated communities, mostly apartments, and everything you need for your daily routine.

Kite Beach

Best known for kitesurfing and wind sports.

It's smaller and more focused on the water sports community. A car is more useful here if you want to regularly go into town.

Encuentro

A great option for surfing, families and outdoor activities.

It's popular for surfing, running, biking, skateboarding and weekend beach time with friends and family, and has a strong community feel.

Perla Marina

More private, peaceful and surrounded by nature.

You'll find many single-family homes and a quieter residential atmosphere.

Natura Cabana is one of my favorite spots in Perla Marina, a beachfront eco-hotel that offers weekly and monthly activities, like the market and music events, an amazing restaurant, a spa and a yoga temple, all open to the public, plus direct beach access.

Gated Communities

Communities such as ProCab (in Cabarete) and Casa Linda, Sosua ocean Village, Sea Horse Ranch, and Hispaniola in the Sosua area offer a more organized, residential lifestyle with green surroundings, security and more space.

They're particularly appealing to families or people who want privacy and don’t mind being outside the town center.

What do I do for fun?

You don't have to be a hardcore water-sports person to enjoy Cabarete. I am not, at all. These days, my regular activities are more likely to be:

• Padel
• Swimming
• Gym
• Beach walks
• Yoga
• Spending time with friends
• Going out for dinner

Some of my favorite local spots include The Honey Company, Gypsy Bowls, Vagamundo and Fresh Fresh Café for coffee and food.

For dinner or going out, I like Ojo and Mojito.

For workouts, I use Wellness Gym and Vibez, and Natura Cabana is one of my yoga spots.

For padel/pickleball, I go to Point Racket Club & Academy and De To’ in Sosúa.

And when I want a change of scenery, there are plenty of beaches and places to explore along the North Coast. My favorite are Playa Sosua and Playa Grande.

Getting around Cabarete

I drive most of the time, but I walk whenever I can. And when traffic gets bad, a moto concho can sometimes be the quickest option.

If you're living centrally, you can walk to many everyday necessities. But having a car gives you much more freedom to explore outside Cabarete.

Working remotely from Cabarete

For me, working remotely is very manageable.

My internet is generally reliable with Cable del Norte, and Cabarete has a growing community of remote workers and digital nomads.

Of course, interruptions happen. When they do, I just adapt… I'll work from the office or a café if I need to.

Again, patience and flexibility go a long way here.

Groceries & everyday life

For everyday groceries, Janet's is convenient enough to walk to if you're living centrally.

La Sirena is around 15 minutes away, while Playero is roughly a 15-20-minute drive.

Some things are surprisingly affordable here, especially personal care and fresh tropical produce or eating out.

Other things can be expensive, particularly cars, activities and certain imported products. Healthcare can get expensive without insurance (especially for us Europeans, and not too bad if you are from the States).

What does it cost to live in Cabarete?

The Dominican Republic isn't automatically cheap just because it's a Caribbean country.

You can live comfortably here on a reasonable budget, but you need to understand where your money is going.

Groceries, restaurants, activities, padel, workshops, children's activities, HOA fees and your location can all make a difference.

And if you're buying property, don't forget about maintenance.

The tropical climate can be hard on homes, outdoor areas and equipment, so maintenance costs are something you need to consider from the beginning.

Is Cabarete safe?

I personally feel very safe living in Cabarete. Like anywhere, common sense matters.

I wouldn't walk alone through a dark and empty area at night, and I wouldn't recommend that to anyone, no matter where.

But overall, I find Cabarete to be a very comfortable and safe place to live.

Do you need Spanish?

You can absolutely live in Cabarete without speaking Spanish. The international community makes English widely spoken.

But I strongly recommend learning Spanish.

You're living in the Dominican Republic, and speaking the local language gives you a much deeper connection to the people and culture around you.

I love being able to switch between Spanish and English throughout my everyday life.

What has living here taught me?

Probably patience.

Dominican culture is different from what I grew up with in Italy. Sometimes that can be difficult.

But Dominican people are incredibly welcoming and friendly.

People smile. People have fun. And there's a strong sense of enjoying the day rather than constantly worrying about tomorrow.

Living here has taught me to be more patient and more grateful for what I have.

Is Cabarete good for you?

I think people who are open-minded and adaptable tend to be happiest here.

Remote workers are a particularly good fit because they can earn income from another country while enjoying the lifestyle here. Retirees and young families are a good fit, too, from what I see around me.

It's also great for people who enjoy being outdoors (most people here are active/fit), being social, traveling and having an active lifestyle.

People who need everything to happen exactly according to plan may find it more difficult. You have to be willing to adapt.

Should you rent or buy?

My advice is always: Come first. Rent. Explore.

Don't choose a neighborhood because someone recommended it to you.
Go see it.

Spend time downtown. Visit Kite Beach. Explore Encuentro. Drive through the gated communities. Visit Sosúa.

One of the biggest mistakes I see newcomers make is not taking the time to understand the different areas before choosing where to live.

And once you move here, don't stay in one little bubble. There's so much more to see and do on the North Coast and the DR than you might expect.

Why I stayed

I originally came to Cabarete for work, helping with the digital marketing side of the real estate agency I now work with, Cabarete Properties.

I stayed because things worked out for me.

That doesn't always happen here… which is why I think it's important to come with a plan rather than simply assuming everything will fall into place.

But I met my person, found a home in the location I had dreamed about, close to the beach and within walking distance of everything I love (and even of my office), and built a life here.

Would I move back to Italy?

No.

I love visiting Italy. I miss my family, certain foods and being able to travel around Europe easily by, palne, train or car. But I don't want to move back.

My home, and what I consider the best version of my life and myself, is here.

Thinking about moving to Cabarete?

If you're considering making Cabarete your home, my biggest advice is:
Come and experience it yourself.

Don't assume everything will work like it does in your home country.
Don't choose a neighborhood based on one recommendation.
And don't only come for the beach.

Spend some time here. Talk to people. Explore the different neighborhoods. Figure out what your normal Tuesday could look like.

And if you're thinking about buying property, ask me as much as you can.

I'll show you around, help you understand the different areas and make sure you understand both the opportunities and the realities of living here.

Because after 12 years of coming to Cabarete and five years of living here, there's one thing I know for sure: there is so much more to Cabarete than you think.