Dealing with Mosquitoes
Unfortunately, mosquitoes are part of life here in the Caribbean. Watch out especially at dawn and dusk – known as mosquito o’clock – and be prepared with a decent repellent. As annoying as mosquitoes are, we are very lucky that this is not a malaria region, so we don’t have to worry too much. Here are some key points to help you avoid too many itchy bites on your adventure: Mosquitoes can’t fly in the wind. Even the slightest breeze will deter a mosquito. They’re absolutely rubbish at flying in windy conditions – they can’t manage a 1-mile-an-hour wind! You can imagine, then, how being in Cabarete, a kitesurf and windsurf hotspot, might help you out! The wind picks up after 11am and drops after sunset, so you need to be super vigilant outside these hours. At night, opt for a mosquito net over the bed, or blast a fan straight at you. That should keep the biters away. Mosquitoes fly close to the ground Due to gusts of wind, mosquitoes tend to keep quite close to the ground. This means your feet, ankles and calves are generally pretty vulnerable. They should be your focus when applying repellent. Keep an eye on your lower legs when sitting at dinner. I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve sat with my legs under the table, only to realise at the end of the meal that I’m covered in bites. Turns out, the mosquitoes were feasting, too! Some light, airy trousers, preferably tapered at the ankle are your best bet. Long sleeves are great too, or a light scarf or shawl to shield exposed skin. Experts reckon mosquitoes use the contrast of your silhouette against the background to determine whether to bite. Wearing lighter colours lowers the contrast, making you less visible to the nibblers. Rules of Attraction While no one is immune to getting bitten, there are certain chemicals in the skin and blood that attract mosquitoes more than others. Sadly, this is genetic and so there’s not much you can change. If you’re one of those people who feels they always get more bites than everyone else, you’re probably not going crazy! It’s not in your head, it’s in your genes. There’s some evidence to suggest people with O blood type attract more mosquitoes than A and B. Mosquitoes are sensitive to CO2 levels, and they use these to find you out. If you have a naturally high metabolism (or are pregnant, overweight, or exercising), you are more smellable to the mozzys. Alcohol is also attractive to mosquitoes. So, if you’ve just worked out in dark clothing and have sat down with a beer, you’re a vulnerable target. The Aftermath Just as some people get bitten more than others, different people’s skin has different reactions. If you’re lucky, you’ll just get a little red bump that itches but goes away within a couple of days. For the unlucky ones, though, the bites can swell up to great big lumps and be quite painful. The key in either case is not to scratch. I repeat: do not scratch your mosquito bites! While it may relieve the agony of the itch, scratching can open up the wound again and lead to infection and scarring. Not pretty. Oh, it’ll also make the itching worse. The itch is caused by your brain sending histamines in response to the coagulant in the blood sucker’s saliva. As with many allergic reactions, anti-histamines can help ease symptoms. Just watch out for the drowsy effects, and don’t operate heavy machinery. If you experience any shortness of breath and severe inflammation, you might be having a serious allergic reaction to a mosquito bite and you should seek medical help immediately. Some home remedies There are many claims as to what can stop the bites itching and help the wound heal. To prevent infection, wash the bite with water and a bit of soap. You can apply ice to cool and numb if it feels hot and inflamed. Baking soda mixed with a little water to form a paste can be applied to bites. It is alkaline and can help neutralise the acidity and reduce inflammation. Honey is naturally antibacterial and can help speed the healing process. Apparently, toothpaste can offer great relief. It cools and dries out the wound, possibly drawing inflammatory fluids out. Even better if it contains baking soda as well. If you have the time, a blended cup of oatmeal sprinkled in a lukewarm bath will moisturise and soothe angry skin. Other potential remedies include rubbing banana peel, basil leaves, cold tea bags, vapour rub and aloe vera on the bites. Hopefully that helps you understand those pesky mozzys better. Armed with insect repellent in Cabarete, you should be able to escape with only minor nibbles.
Introverts on Tour in Cabarete
The loud bachata music, the crowded parties, the buzzing beach bars. At a glance, it’s easy to peg Cabarete as an extrovert’s heaven. And it can be. But it can also be an introvert’s dream. Part of the beauty of this charming beachside town is that it caters to a whole range of traveller characters. Cabarete is a world-class watersports hub and attracts a crowd of active, fun-loving sports enthusiasts. It attracts tourists who want to escape the big resort-style spots for a more authentic local experience. It’s a place to find your calm at a yoga retreat. It’s where you can chill in the water, waiting for your perfect wave. Or you can wait for your perfect mojito on the beach. Cabarete is a wonderful mish-mash of all different characters, and that’s what makes it a special community. Some visitors love to party all night. Others prefer to get an early night to prepare for an active day of sport and fun. If you’re an introvert, eXtreme is an ideal spot for you. It’s a bit removed from the main strip of town, and far enough away from the pounding clubs to allow for peace and quiet in the evenings. The hotel backs onto Kite Beach, so you are only ever a few steps away from a quiet beach walk, read, or swim. At eXtreme, you are free to be you, and take exactly what you need to have the best time on your vacation. Whether that’s having a drink at the bar at La Mesa Taina, our farm-to-table organic restaurant, or taking a sunset yoga class to wind down from a busy day. All speeds are welcome here. You’re sure to find fellow like-minded guests who enjoy a chill and chat over Happy Hour drinks on the beach, if that’s what you prefer. Cabarete is a sanctuary to all sorts of people. If you look beneath the surface, you’ll see the town is full of interesting characters, from different backgrounds. Introverts, never fear. eXtreme is the perfect base for you to relax on your own (massage, anyone?) and take time to feel like yourself again.
Why Cabarete is THE couple’s vacation destination
You finally find the time to escape the bustle of everyday life and work with your significant other. You rejoice at the thought of all that quality time together. And on a postcard-perfect beach, no less. Cabarete is the vacation destination for couples. Why? Because there are so many different activities in one place, you won’t be able to get sick of each other! I’m kidding, of course. But, on a relaxing couple vacation, some independent activities can be a blessing. In Cabarete and especially at eXtreme Hotel, there is no shortage of options. For him, there’s yoga, kitesurfing, circus skills. For her, there’s surfing, scuba diving, the fitness gym. At eXtreme, we have so much onsite that you can be doing your own thing mere steps from your significant other. You can even give them a wave. And importantly, you can easily meet up for a post-workout feast at our onsite restaurant, La Mesa Taina. (The sushi is spectacular.) Onsite, we have a beachfront yoga studio, a flying trapeze (among other circus toys), and a fitness gym with weights and twice-daily classes. The hotel backs onto Kite Beach, where you could take a kitesurfing lesson, jog along the beach, sunbathe, go stand-up paddleboarding, or have a swim in the warm sea. Sun salutations on the sand, anyone? For those days when your interests do overlap, there’s plenty of fun to be had together in Cabarete. Take in the mountainside on horseback, hike up hills, discover ancient caves, snorkel. If you’re into tropical fruit or sustainability, our aquaponic farm is a great one to have on your vacation itinerary. Taste exotic fruit you pick right off the tree, and experience new flavours and textures. Learn about Taino Farm’s permaculture-inspired processes and see it working to give us delicious organic produce! The farm tour ends with a relaxing float down the river on a ribber dingy, and Dominican food. In the evenings, Cabarete is full of fun and romance. There’s always something interesting going on in this chaming town, be it karaoke, Latin dancing, or a night market of local artisans. At the end of an active day, nothing beats a stroll on the beach to watch the sun go down. I’m in love just thinking about it. Cabarete is the place to be for an adventure-seeking couple. Book your active vacation at eXtreme and get the most out of your trip. See you there!
White Water Rafting in Jarabacoa
Thrill-seekers, this is one for you. There is arguably nothing quite like hurtling down whitewater rapids in a little raft, along the longest river in the Caribbean. While we are not blessed with rapids to raft in Cabarete, there is a beautiful mountain town called Jarabacoa a few hours’ drive inland. There are a couple of adventure tour companies in Cabarete that offer a whole package that includes transport to the mountains and food along with the rafting outing. Watch out as there is often a minimum number of people to qualify for transport to be included. You can also check out renting a car to drive yourself to Jarabacoa, where you can link up with Rancho Baigate, an adventure ranch that offers amazing rafting trips. As is usually the case at eXtreme Hotel, simply ask our friendly receptionists and they will find the best deal that suits your particular needs. The journey will take you winding through the central mountain range of the island, where the view opens out into some seriously impressive panoramas of the DR’s natural beauty. You’ll get the chance to see bustling Dominican cities up close, and get a better sense of how people live outside of the Cabarete bubble. You’ll arrive at the Yaque del Norte river, a source of life and vitality to the communities of the Cibao region. Here, you can experience the Dominican natural landscape in a whole new adrenaline-surging way. The rapids are no gentle ride, so come prepared for your heart to fly into your throat from time to time. It’s classified as class 3 on a scale of 1 to 4. Not insanely dangerous, but definitely not for the faint-hearted! All the trustworthy adventure companies will have you kitted out in all the safety equipment you need to stay safe on your trip. This must include a lifejacket and helmet, and basic training of rafting protocol. If you have any concerns, let them know before you set off, preferably. You do need to be a confident swimmer to go white water rafting in Jarabacoa, this is not for weak swimmers. You’ll definitely need a set of dry clothes to change into, as you are guaranteed a good soaking in the river! The scenery is very different to Cabarete. A trip inland to spend some time in the mountains provides a good contrast to the beachy paradise of the North coast. It’s also a little cooler up there! You can ask our friendly staff at eXtreme reception to help you sort out an amazing rafting trip. They know exactly where to point you, and can give you seasonal information, too. White water rafting in Jarabacoa is an unforgettable experience, and offers you the chance to see more of the Dominican Republic on your adventure vacation.
Hiking and Caving: El Choco National Park
In Cabarete, we are lucky enough to have the best of Caribbean natural beauty all around us. With the ocean on one side and the lush El Choco National Park on the other, we are spoiled for choice. El Choco is a beautiful 77 square kilometers of protected jungle, caves, pasture land, and lagoon. It is bordered by the foothills of the Cordillera Septentrional to the South and the Cabarete Lagoon to the North. It’s a great place to escape the bustle of Cabarete town for a few hours, and let the trees soothe your soul. If you need to change up the rhythm on your beach vacation, or want a rest day from watersports, El Choco could be the local spot for you. It is a short moto ride from town, just head all the way down the Callejon de la Loma, which is by the traffic lights. Continue down the Callejon until you find yourself sheltered under the canopy of the forest – you’ll know it when you see it. There are four main types of adventure in El Choco: hiking, mountain biking, swimming in lagoons, and exploring the caves. Try one, try all four, it’s up to you! Hike and Bike Hiking tours are perfect for a family excursion. The trails are easy to walk, and the forest provides much-needed shade on a hot day. A guided tour is recommended for your first time in El Choco, since the trails are unmarked and there aren’t really any good maps of the area. Instead of spending hours lost in the jungle in the sweltering heat, let a local guide tell you all about the native species of flora and fauna. Discover the leafy forest and the fruit trees that give us avocados, cacao, grapefruit, oranges, and coconuts. Spot different species of tropical lizards, bats and birds. Learn about projects to replant endemic species and protect the natural beauty of El Choco. You can also rent mountain bikes in town and arrange to be toured around at a slightly faster pace. You’ll cover more ground, and work up a heck of a sweat, if you’re into that. El Choco Caves The limestone caves at El Choco are breathtaking. They are 5 million years old, and it shows. Just kidding, these caves are well worth a visit. A guide will take you through the forest and down into a dark maze of corridors. Tours last about an hour and a half, and you’ll explore a few of the over 200 caves at El Choco. There is electric lighting down there, but it’s unreliable and can cut out. That’s why you carry flashlights, so you can explore the caves and feel like Indiana Jones. Limestone is a soft, porous rock. Flowing water from rivers has shaped the caves and formed lagoons, where you can swim. The pools are deep enough to dive in some places, but this is absolutely not recommended if you are not an experienced cave diver already. You’ll see stalactites hanging from the ceiling and stalagmites rising up from the cave floor. You’ll take in the local cavelife, including native frogs, spiders, bats, fish and shrimp. As always, please be super respectful of the environment at El Choco. Try your very best not to leave any signs that you were there, that is, leave no rubbish or damage. Enjoy the Cabarete local treasure that is El Choco National Park, however you choose to explore it. Although not as well-known as our beaches, the park and caves would make an awesome addition to your active vacation in the Caribbean!
Day Trip To Laguna Dudu
After living in Cabarete for over two months, I finally took my first ‘road/day trip’ in the Dominican Republic to Laguna Dudu! All of us eXtreme circus folk and friends visiting, piled into a vehicle with not enough seats available for the group. But who needs seats? We jumped in the back (don’t tell my mom!) and chowed down on all the local fresh fruit we’d bought at Miguel’s before setting out. (We also packed; water, small snacks, bathing suit, towel, change of clothing, money, sunscreen, bug spray, underwater cameras, snorkel and mask and a volleyball that unfortunately didn’t survive!) The drive from Extreme Hotel to Laguna Dudu, took about an hour and a half and included a beautiful view of the north coast of the DR. Arriving there, we pulled in the parking lot. A fair warning, they did not allow us to take our container of pineapple in with us. But they also didn’t check our personal bags. Pack accordingly! We bought tickets to get in for 150 pesos (about $3.00USD these days). Once in, we found the restrooms in the cafeteria which is inside the park and open for you to purchase food and drinks. From there we adventured down into the first lagoon. A few of us decided to take the plunge for 25 pesos a turn, off the zip line and into the lagoon! I don’t know the exact distance of the drop, but let me tell you it feels long! I see myself as someone who isn’t afraid of heights, yet when they blew the whistle to ‘let go’ I thought to myself really???? But I did, a little late, and only regretted the fact that I didn’t point my toes! For style but mostly for the slap my feet endured going into crystal calm waters!! Let that be a warning to you all! After we’d taken our plunges, we swam around the lagoon, enjoying the colours and relaxing vibe! Some friends snorkelled, and played with their underwater cameras and GoPros! The videos and photos captured definitely make me think I need to get myself a GoPro!! Once we’d all had our fill of that lagoon, we found our way to the next lagoon. This lagoon was very different and somewhat in a cave! It was beautiful but the water was much colder as it was blocked from the sun. We used this time to take many, many photos! The colours look amazing and something about the lighting made everyone look as if they were swim suit models. There was also another lagoon across from the cave that you couldn’t swim in, that had the most perfect wooden dock for yoga poses, handstands and any other weird position an aerialist can find themselves in on the ground! When we’d had enough we went back up to the main area and played around like children. There were soccer nets and the boys had a game together with our own volleyball. Us girls found ourselves doing more yoga poses for fun photos and then found ourselves on these strange swings hanging from the trees. They were like flat lying dream catchers and instead of sitting in them like most people may do, we climbed them, inverted on them and split on them in anyway we could figure out! After play time, we all piled ourselves back in the car and headed back in the direction of eXtreme hotel. On the way, we stopped at a small beach. We spent the late afternoon enjoying this calm beach, with some tostones, fish, chicken for the meat eaters and fresh veggies! We swam in the calm waters and when we were al exhausted and ready for home, we set out for the hotel, arriving just after sunset! A great day with great people. Laguna Dudu is definitely a trip I suggest taking! Footnote: renting a car is probably your best bet. Through my own research I’ve found OK car rentals in Sosua. They have options for different group sizes. For example a small car that still fits 4 people, is only $39.00 a day! This includes free mileage! To keep costs down, if you have one person willing to guagua their way into Sosua from Kite Beach to pick up the car, and do the same for the return even better. And, while you’re at it, return the car in Sosua in the morning and spend the day in Sosua, in the beach, snorkelling! You won’t be disappointed!!