The Kite School Manager Sven:
Sven is a Belgian x pro moto cross champion. He is as nice as they come. He knows exactly what to do in any situation, it doesn't matter what the question or the problem is. You either find Sven behind his desk in the school or you find him ripping the waves on the reef or flying high across the bay. Sven speaks a whole lot of languages and can communicate with more or less anyone. Dutch, English, Spanish, French plus plus… And he's been in the DR for more than 4 years and can help out with practical tips if needed too.

The Hotel Manager Andrew:

Hailing from Virginia Beach, Andrew practiced his service skills when he owned on of the most popular fine dining restaurants called Create.  He came to Cabarete on a 3 month break, and like so many of us, just decided to stay.  He will do what it takes to ensure you have a fun trip.

The Distillery owner, Paul:

 Paul is a 3rd generation fish monger, and has a secret recipe for a fish fry that is sure to make your mouth water.  After huge success in Toronto, he decided to expand his horizons south, and franchise his parent's fish fry to compliment the Distillery, where he makes his own 'hooch'.   

El heffe, Robbie:

After falling in love with Cabarete, Robbie decided that the benefits of spending time with family outweigh the money making opportunities in other parts of the world so he chooses to spent his life here (well mom lets them).  His passions include all eXtreme sports, exotic fruits and baby Savannah

Here is a list of some of our favorites:

The Swiss steak House:  Run by Christoff, this is a staple for many who live here.  Possibly the best steak in town, the pork chop, chicken, cheeseburger and fish are all not to be missed.  You can eat easily for $400 RD including a couple drinks.  It's right at the entrance to Cayhon, on the east side beside Bliss.

Jose Luis Chicken:  Another cheap option, bbq chicken with yucca and a home made marinade that is fantastic.  You can get a 1/4 chicken meal for $RD 75 or a whole chicken for $250.  Right on the main road across from Ocean Dream.

Tuesday night Tacos:  All you can eat Tacos for $250 RD, in a cool location outside of town.  Best to order your drinks after happy hour starts because they can be expensive.  In Cabarete East, about 5 min east of Cabarete.

Cafe Pitu: Also a tuesday night special, they offer 2 for 1 pizza.  Juan Marco, a local pro kitesurfer, works behind the bar and is great entertainment.  They also have a decent vegetarian options.  Right on the Cabarete beach, about 2 min walk east of the main drag.  $300 RD/person

The German Bayherserhoff:   Not exactly healthy, but sure takes good.  Specialties include authentic German sausage, schnitzel and potato pancakes.  A little hidden, on a poorly lit street just west of the entrance of Cayhon, across from Ocean Dream.  $500 RD/person

Clairo:  Hands down the best breakfast in town, and a fantastic lunch option as well. The weekly specials are amazing.  Try the chocolate Zuccini cake! $300 RD/person.

Ocean Dream Sushi: Authentic sushi prepared by a Japanese chef.  What else can we say? $500 RD/person

LAX: The food is OK, the vibe is great.  This is the 'cool place' that everyone hangs out when in town.  The pizza's are good, and the Thai night is worth visiting.  Ask for the specials on drinks.  $500RD + / person

Bliss:  Right next to the Swiss steak house, at the entrance to Cayhon is this little gem.  French inspired and very well presented, you'll think you're in the south of France sipping wine beside their pool.  The whole menu is great.  $1000 RD/person.

Otra Cosas: Right on the beach in a secluded spot at the east end of Cabarete bay, across the street from Velero is this romantic hidden gem.  Possibly the cleanest kitchen in the DR, the french dishes and wine selections are absolutely amazing. From $1200 RD/person, but totally worth it.

Naturas Cabanas: Inside Perla Marina, with a little spa on a secluded private beach is the Chilean restaurant serving fantastic sea food.  The whole menu is great, especially the pistacio crusted tuna steak.  From $800 RD/person

Blue Moon Retreat:  A great meal and a fun time.  Eat with your hands, Carribbean Indian, all you can eat and fantastic views.  Definatly worth the ride.  Must book in advance, groups of 8 or more.  On the road to Moca, just pas Los Brasos. $800/person

Castle Club:  A great evening in a gorgeous house with a lovely couple.  Kind of like going to your parents place for dinner, and your parents love to have a good time.   Must book in advance, options for dinner, groups of 8 or more. $1000/person

If you are active, then Cabarete is an action sports wet dream.  World class everything is right here. Surfing, windsurfing, wakeboarding, skateboarding and tow in surfing are all practiced in Cabarete.  Every year the Master of the Ocean competition, brings all disciplines together.

If exploring is your thing, then you can choose from a variety of ways to do it. Mountain bike, motocross, dune buggies, hiking, horseback riding, helicopter rides, white water rafting down the many rivers… the list goes on and on and on.

For nature lovers, try the famous waterfall tours, that take you cascading up 27 falls. 

For the art lover, stroll through the Haitian and Dominican art and craft stalls in town, or take a trip to where they make it all, a short trip over to Puerto Plata.

Unpopulated beaches are only 10 minutes away.  Cave and reef diving are all over the place.  Kayak the reef, go deep sea or river fishing, or just sit back, relax, and enjoy your tan.  This place has somethings for everyone.

Here are some general guidelines to the weather during the seasons.

WIND, WEATHER AND WAVES:

But the best course of action in Cabarete is to enojoy more than one of Cabarete`s multiple sprots. There are many ways to get on a board, either kiteboarding, surfing, skateboarding, wakeboarding, tow in surfing…. that way every day is a chance to improve your skills!

• Puerto Plata Airport (POP) is 20 km and $30 taxi away from Cabarete.
• Santiago Airport (STI) is 80km through the mountains, $80 taxi
• Santo Domingo(SDQ) is 200km through the mountains and $140 taxi.
• Punta Cana (PUJ) is 450km and a local flight $140.

Some guidelines looking for flights

From Canada: Selloffvacations has charter flights.  Try also Air Transat, Skyservice, Sunwing, and Air Canada. Westjet also has seasonal service.   You can get one way tickets back to Canada at the airport or by calling Air Transat at 809-970-2121.  Flight center    also has some good deals on flights.

From Miami: American has flights for $400 return.  Spirit is also an alternative 

From NYC: American has flights for $400 and Jetblue for $300 Jetblue.com. Jetblue also flies to Santiago, which is 90 min away.

From the rest of the US: Try Spirit for a discounted price to Santo Domingo, otherwise via Miami on American, Continental, Atlanta via Delta or Jetblue.

From other Carribean islands: Liat is a good option.  Copa flies to Jamaica, Panama and other Central Americans and Carribbean islands.

From the UK: Charter flights and Thomas Cook. Last minute from $300.  

From South America: Aeropostal via Venezuela has great connection and prices

From Punta Cana: Takeoff flies for $150 daily.  Book in advance because they book out!

From France: Corsair and other charters.

Travel Tips:

1. Don't forget your PASSPORT
2. Confirm your flight
3. Bring $10 USD for your Tourist Card
4. Check out to find your accommodation

The Dominican Republic is a hidden surf gem in the Caribbean with both the Atlantic ocean and the Caribbean Sea producing quality surf. With an average year long temperature of 28C.

Dominican Republic receives consistent North Atlantic swells all year long with the winter months of November to March being the best period for surf over 4ft. The rest of the year will experience 2 to 3ft on average.

The entire north coast of the Dominican Republic is a surfing paraside.  There are so many places to surf that most of them don't even have a name.  To summarize a few:

Encuentro (4km west): some of the best surfing in the Caribbean. On the one side the white water peals along the beach and is perfect to learn the sport. On the other side the barreling waves on the reef are ideal for intermediate and advanced riders.

6 feet over (right out front) : In smaller waves a paddle board is a fun option with lefts and rights breaking over the reef.  When the swell is out of the north, out front provides perfect conditions with 4-8 ft faces.  A bit of a challenge to get out there because of the distance (about 1 km) but totally worth the effort.

Robbie's point: (2 km west):  A consistent beach break with steeper peaks and shorter rides on the left, and a nice and mellow reef rights in front of beach bar and famous rave location El Racon.

More on Surfing: 

The most popular surf break near Cabarete is Encuentro. It`s a short motoconcho away from the Kite Lounge, making for am epic downwinder. Encuentro is a reef break that breaks left and right depending on the swell direction. A few hundred yards away is Coco Pipe, a hollow peak that starts breaking when the swell is big. If you are in good shape, take a 12 minute paddle straight out from the Kite Lounge early in the morning when a swell is running. The break is called 6 Feet Over. The reef off Kite Beach is shallow with spotty Elkhorn coral, so it is recommended for more advanced surfers. Further towards the point in between Bozo Beach and Kite Beach is a nice left hand break that can reel for hundreds of yards on the right swell and wind conditions.

The north coast of the Dominican Republic is an overlooked and often understated gem of surf travel.
During the winter, strong cold fronts push off the east coast of the United States and create large NW swells that head directly towards the northern Caribbean islands.
	Cabarete is fortunate to have several world-class surf breaks nearby, some of them remaining uncrowded most of the year.