Monkey Jungle in the DR
In Cabarete, our heroic wind and waves make for some pretty solid watersports conditions. But, on a rare day off the water, there are some great spots around Cabarete to explore. Monkey Jungle is a fantastic outing for the family. You can go and play with their gorgeous monkeys, thrill-seek on a zip line, or check out their shooting range. There’s something for everyone! Monkeys, Zips and Rounds The Monkey Jungle has a 5-acre park where adorable tame squirrel monkeys roam free! They are very friendly. They love to sit on heads and shoulders, and eat from special feeding plates. I smell a new profile picture. The monkey tour takes 40 minutes, perfect for little ones with short attention spans. You’ll learn all about the monkeys and pay a visit to the rescued capucin monkeys. These little guys have had a hard life and so aren’t up to playing with the others. They are super cute, and looking much healthier than when they were found! The Monkey Jungle mountain-to-mountain zip line tour is well worth a visit. It’s ACCT-certified, with every safety measure taken to let you relax and enjoy the ride. On your journey along the 4500ft zip line, you stop at 7 different stations and 2 suspended bridges. For the most fearless of adventurers, there’s an optional freefall belay that drops you 50ft into an ancient bat cave. Not a bad story to take home to your friends. Another great thing about this zip line is that you can control the braking system by hand. This means that you are in charge of your speed the whole time! I love it. If you’re looking to let off steam, you might head over to Monkey Jungle’s 7 station shooting range. You can choose between 9mm handguns and 12-gauge shotguns, and learn how to fire a weapon safety. Anyone up for target practice? The Monkey Jungle Story On the face of it, Monkey Jungle might sound like just an awesome adventure tourist attraction. It is that. But, it also has a pretty noble and heartwarming story behind it. Monkey Jungle was set up in 2009 to support a medical project in the DR that was rapidly expanding and in need of funds. Two entrepreneurs from Nashville, Tennessee were determined to use their lives to help those more vulnerable than themselves. Chuck and Candy Ritzen moved to the Dominican Republic and set up Haitian and Dominican Assistance Corp (HADAC) in 2008. They opened a clinic to serve the local community of Haitian and Dominican residents. The clinic was named after the couple’s two dear Haitian friends, Bernie Leon and Maurice Laroche. There was such great demand for the clinic that people were travelling long distances to see the doctors, who gave their care without charge. Every Saturday, around 60 patients were seen, and the numbers kept growing. The HADAC team knew they needed some income to pay for medicine and equipment. They got to work planning a commercial tourist attraction. And so, Monkey Jungle was born. Many of the patients had known little medical care in their life and had often never seen a dentist before. In 2013, HADAC opened a dental clinic dedicated to Dr. Gerry Pinsonneault, a Canadian dentist who served the community until his death in 2014. Chuck and Candy flew medical supplies and food to Haiti in 2016, after Hurricane Matthew. Sadly, their sea plane did not make the journey home to Puerto Plata. The HADAC mission continues and their dream lives on through the efforts of the clinic’s volunteers and physicians. How to get there Take the main road from Cabarete to Sosua (the next town), heading West along the coast. You’ll see the sign for Monkey Jungle after you pass the Sea Horse Ranch, a landmark equestrian centre. Don’t get too distracted by the Ranch’s horses that you miss the left turn! The turn should also be signposted, so keep your eyes pealed. Follow El Choco road for 9km and you’ll arrive at Monkey Jungle. From eXtreme, it’ll take you under half an hour. Our friendly concierge staff will be happy to arrange transport if you need. Lend a hand The clinic gratefully accepts donations of basic medical supplies from visitors to Monkey Jungle. So, have a look at their wishlist and consider popping something in your suitcase to gift to the team. You can also support them financially, the information is all on their website. Monkey Jungle could just be that extra outing that takes your adventure vacation in Cabarete to the next level. Come and experience the thrills for yourself!
All About Caribbean Carnivals – Part 1
What comes to mind when you hear the words Caribbean Carnival? Probably parties, costumes and a general great time. Beyond a colorful party, Caribbean Carnivals have a strong cultural history and influences that range from country to country. Here’s what you should know if you book your stay in the Caribbean during Carnival season: Diverse history Carnival celebrations had a complicated start. They might be known as joyful parties but their inception is a combination of colonialism, enslavement and religious conversion. Carnival translates to “farewell to meat”, originating from a Catholic tradition of giving up meat during Lent and brought over by European colonizers. Modern iterations are a blend of Christian traditions and the small creative freedoms that African slaves were able to find in an oppressive state. Carnivals represent a time to let loose, release stress and celebrate liberty. Fun Fact: As the Caribbean diaspora has spread throughout the world, so have Caribbean carnivals. The city of Toronto boasts a massive carnival celebration, called Caribana due to its Caribbean immigrant population. Trinidad & Tobago There seems to be a conflict between historians who claim that the oldest Carnival was started in Trinidad & Tobago and those who claim that it is actually from the Dominican Republic. We’ll talk more about the Dominican Carnaval in part 2 of this series but we can settle this debate here and now. Carnival in Trinidad and Tobago dates back to the 18th century, while the Dominican carnival in La Vega goes all the way back to the 16th century. It might not be the oldest carnival but it is certainly one of the largest and most iconic. The festivities start after Christmas celebrations and culminate on the Monday and Tuesday before Ash Wednesday. The days are filled with events and competitions. Most notably, participants walk the streets in traditional and elaborate costumes—visitors can join in, if they book and purchase their costumes in advance! Jamaica Beginning in February all the way until May, the festivities including beach parties, marches and beautiful costumes, occur in the major resort areas of Kingston and Ocho Rios. Rum is a big part of the culture of this carnival and since Jamaica is the home of Reggae, expect amazing concerts. Puerto Rico Celebrated in the city of Ponce, the Puerto Rican carnival lasts a week culminating on Fat Tuesday (day before Ash Wednesday). The Grand Parade features costumes, dancers and lots of music. Vejigantes, or horned demons are similar to the Dominican, Diablo Cojuelos, even carrying cow bladder balloons to hit spectators. The Bahamas Known as Junkanoo, this celebration occurs right after December 26th until New Years Day. Although there is debate about it’s true origins, the modern carnival often has a theme and is known for the musical parades down the streets of downtown Nassau. Like many Caribbean carnivals, the costumes and dances take months to prepare and are a sense of pride to natives. While these are just a few highlights, most Caribbean countries have a carnival or carnival-like celebration. Each country and festivity offers a range of cultural value immensely important to the region. Have you ever attended carnival? The energy is like no other party you will ever attend.
Tipping and Haggling: A Guide to Money in Cabarete
No one wants to be ripped off on vacation. Here’s a handy guide on how to handle your money in Cabarete. Read up before your trip, so you can focus on enjoying your adventure when you get here. It pays to be prepared! Carry cash Cash, or ‘efectivo’ in Spanish, is the norm pretty much everywhere in Cabarete and the nearby area. I’ve only ever been to one restaurant that took credit card in Las Galeras, down the coast. Suffice it to say, there were some extra charges. It’s best to pay with cash. When I say cash, I mean Dominican pesos. Almost everywhere will take USD, but beware of bad exchange rates. Stick to banks, exchanges and supermarkets to buy your pesos, anywhere else will likely not give you a very good rate. (I’m talking to you, guy in the photo.) If you’re coming from Europe, don’t bother to buy dollars before you leave home. You can bring cash in euros or pounds and exchange it here just as easily. There are a good few banks around town, all with ATMs. They all charge steep withdrawal fees, so plan a little in advance according to what you need. Stick to Dominican pesos (DOP) and always pay in cash. Around town, you’ll see prices written as ‘150RD’ or ‘RD$200’. Don’t be thrown, this is pesos ‘Republica Dominicana’. Carry a mixture of notes. Keep remembering to break your 1000RD bills at supermarkets and dinners to avoid paying a 30RD moto trip with a 1000RD bill! Coins are useful for small tips and street vendors, as well. © Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism Know yo’ stuff Take some time to learn what prices to expect for common things. Breakfasts, taxis, sun loungers, fruit – that kind of thing. It’s good to at least know a ball-park figure. You’ll quickly find in local places that prices are not fixed. They depend on how polite you are, whether you make an effort to speak Spanish, and how savvy you seem. So, take the time to be friendly! Who knows, you might stop for an interesting chat with a Dominican. Here’s a few basics to get you started: Moto across town: 50RD per person. Sometimes more by night. 1.5 L bottled water: 30RD Black coffee: 45-100RD Milky coffee: 75-130RD Presidente beer (small): 85-135RD Presidente beer (large): 135-160RD Cuba libre: 100-135RD Pina colada: 120-200RD Bunch of limoncillos (green little ball fruit): 20-40RD Sun lounger for the day: 35-100RD – they will also watch your stuff while you swim © Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism Day trips and excursions (caving, waterfall jumping, ziplining, boat trip) cost $40-100 USD per person. This is pretty pricey, but usually includes food and drink and transport, as well as a guide. If you want to be more independent in your exploring, we can help you find a cheaper option. At eXtreme, our friendly concierge staff will take care of arranging your trip for you. They know how to find the best price! Just let the team know where you want to go, and they’ll make the calls. Prices in cafes and comedors vary quite a lot. In a more Western-style spot, you can pay 250-500RD for breakfast, and 400-700RD for dinner. In a comedor, it’s more like 75-150RD for a lunch plate of chicken, rice and beans. I’d recommend exploring local and more ‘Westernised’ options in Cabarete, but take care that you have around the right bills to hand over. Be aware that everything costs a lot more on the beach. That ocean view will cost you! Also, imported goods are way more expensive than local products. It is an island, after all. Haggling Once you know the rough prices to expect, you can haggle to your heart’s content! Haggling is part of the culture in the DR. Apart from supermarkets and banks, pretty much every price is up for negotiation. Look out for flattery and classic lines like ‘This item costs $25, but for you I’ll do $17’. It’s all part of the game. Be wary of anyone trying to rush you into buying something right now. Some cheeky taxi drivers like to open the car door and try to rush you into the vehicle, as if traffic is building up by the second. It’s not. Don’t fall for it. Negotiate a fair price with the driver before you get in! Start by offering about half of the seller’s first price, then barter up to meet him somewhere in the middle. If they won’t play ball, you can always try walking away to look somewhere else. You’ll often hear the seller shouting lower and lower offers at your back as you leave! Above all, have fun and be good-humoured. © Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism Tipping Sales tax in DR is 18%, and many hotels and restaurants will add an additional 10% service charge to the bill. These taxes are required by law, which is why you’ll often see them labelled on the bill as ‘Ley’, Spanish for law. If you’re North American, this probably won’t alarm you. Everyone else, be warned that the price you imagine could well increase by nearly 30% when the bill comes around. You might have read that you should always tip above the 10% service charge because this money is split between the employees, so your server would lose out. This is misleading. Remember that your server will get a cut of the charge from all the tables they didn’t serve that night, as well. Also, surely the chefs and bartenders deserve part of the tip for preparing your meal? Of course, it’s up to you to use your own judgement. If no extra charge is added onto the bill, tip 10-20%, depending on the quality of the food and service. Taxi drivers are a bit different because they tend to own their business. Just negotiate a price for the journey before you get in, and pay that amount when you leave, with a smile. Those little things Don’t
Spanish lessons in Cabarete
The Dominican Republic is a Spanish-speaking country. Although it’s just about possible to get by only speaking English, your vacation will be so much more comfortable (not to mention fun!) if you have a few phrases in Spanish at your disposal. Overcoming the language barrier is essential to fully benefiting from the cultural experience available to you here in Cabarete. For instance, it helps to know the local ‘what’s up?’ greeting is que lo que? You don’t need many words to navigate the restaurant/bar situation, and it is definitely useful to know what to say to keep those mojitos coming. A supportive community There’s definitely nothing to be embarrassed about, all the foreigners are on the same journey towards communicating effortlessly in Spanish. Everyone has to start somewhere, and the bravest thing you can do is try and speak as much as you can in public. It’s scary, but this is a supportive community to learn in. It’s okay to make mistakes here, and the Dominican locals in Cabarete are very patient. They might even correct you and teach you some new words and phrases, if you take the time to stop and chat. Importantly though, the locals will most likely really appreciate your efforts to connect with them in their native Spanish. A little effort goes a long way! Spanish lessons in Cabarete If you’re feeling at all nervous about the prospect of speaking Spanish in Cabarete, taking a couple of lessons can make a big difference to your confidence. Lessons aren’t just for beginners either. You can take refresher classes, or conversation classes to get you back into the swing of speaking. This can be a great activity for the first couple of days of your vacation, as you get over your jetlag and settle into town. The team at eXtreme can help you find a good teacher, just ask at reception and we’ll put you in touch. You can take lessons right in the restaurant, by the beach. The ocean air helps with memory, I hear. You’ll be shouting orders at the empanada stand with the rest of them in no time!
What is Ecotourism?
Whether you’ve never heard the word ‘ecotourism’ before, or you’ve been travelling sustainably your whole life, it’s useful to check in with the principles behind this important concept. More than a rigid format, ecotourism is a set of principles for how to travel responsibly. It involves recognising the impact you have as a tourist on the environment and local communities of the places you visit. Ecotourism is about more than packing a reusable straw for beach mojitos, though that is great. Being an ecotourist requires you to research the culture of a destination and consider how your leisure travel experience will affect others. Let’s take a closer look. The International Ecotourism Society (TIES) officially defines ecotourism as ‘responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment, sustains the well-being of the local people, and involves interpretation and education.’ TIES identifies 3 key strands that ecotourists should factor in when planning their travel experience: 1) Conservation High up on the ecotourist’s priority list is how our travelling impacts the planet. We want our individual footprint to be as minimal as possible, and leave as little trace as possible that we were there. Check out our post on what to pack on your Caribbean eco trip for local tips before you travel. We also want to support facilities that are operating conscientiously, with a view to preserving natural heritage and using resources sustainably. Ecotourism creates financial incentives for protecting natural biodiversity and building more low-impact facilities. Tourism is a massive industry and only a fraction of it is invested in ecotourism. That beautiful tropical scenery might be priceless, but keeping it unspoiled means making it more profitable to conserve it than to destroy it. Economics, eh? Eco facilities will educate and raise environmental awareness among its visitors. We rely on our planet for so much. Now, it needs our help to continue flourishing. 2) Communities Ecotourism considers the livelihood and dignity of local communities. It tries to build employment opportunities that empower locals, rather than trapping them in oppressive structures. Money that comes in should be used by the communities to sustainably develop the region and take control of their lives. It is your responsibility as a visitor to treat your host culture and community with the utmost respect. Let’s face it, tourists have a bad reputation. Often seen as loud, rude and culturally insensitive, they are resented by many locals. Ecotourism seeks to change the way visitors and hosts interact. The ecotourist tries to find a way to observe and understand a place without being disruptive or insulting. Those developing ecotourist facilities should prioritise connecting with the indigenous history of the region, and work to empower and partner with the native peoples. From start to finish, every measure should be taken to ensure local communities are involved and respected, never ignored or exploited. 3) Interpretation: The Ecotourist Learns Proponents of ecotourism believe in the power of travel experiences to change lives. For guests and hosts to have the fullest experience, there must be room for genuine cultural exchange. Travellers see the value in immersing themselves in a situation that is different to their own. Some parts are clearly enjoyable, like tasting new food and discovering new sights. But being surrounded with people from another culture, perhaps with different languages, beliefs and traditions from you, can be deeply instructive and valuable in ways you might not have imagined. Human connection is arguably what makes travelling so very fulfilling. You might not remember a particular meal too vividly, but the warm smile from that sweet old man selling empanadas will stay with you forever. You can also act as a considerate representative of your home country. Sharing your own culture and stories with your hosts is an important part of the reciprocal experience. Ambassadors of ecotourism will hopefully contribute to improving the international tourist’s reputation, and promoting friendly, respectful cultural exchange. For this to happen without harm, visitors must cultivate an awareness of the culture and history of the region. Ideally, you want to come away with a deeper understanding of the country’s political and social situation, for instance, recognising how the effects of colonial rule are still felt years after independence. This understanding enriches you as an individual, but you can also take it back home and tell others what you have learnt. You can be a part of building global cultural awareness and spreading responsible tourism practices. An Eco adventure! As an adventure eco hotel, we know full well that being a responsible tourist doesn’t mean you have to pass up on amazing activities. In Cabarete, we play hard. You can thrill-seek considerately, just make sure you do your research. The ocean is a playground that keeps giving. You can explore it scuba diving or snorkelling, as long as you respect the coral reef and marine life. You can harness the power of the wind and waves in watersports, like surfing, kitesurfing, windsurfing, SUP. Local social business Kiters for Communities even upcycles old kites into beach bags! Swim freely, fly on the trapeze, jump into lagoons, scale waterfalls, zipline through the jungle, cultivate your zen on a yoga mat. When there is so much on offer, there’s just no need to compromise on fun.
A Lesson in Surf Slang
Cabarete has gained its reputation as the kiteboarding capital of the world. Our beaches get consistent, world-class wind, and you’ll see loads of kiters and windsurfers at play. You may not have heard that you’ll also find world-class surf in Cabarete. I’m talking about Encuentro beach. The varied reef breaks make Playa Encuentro a great place to surf, no matter your experience level. You’ll see the pros going at it right next to the first-timers! On any surf vacation, it can help to have some fresh vocab to hand. Use it on the beach to chat with fellow wave-seekers, and take it home to impress your friends! Here’s our run-down of essential surf slang, so you can rave about the waves to your heart’s content. Wave Basics Barrel, keg, tube: the tube-like hollow part of a wave Break: when the swell or wave turns into white water Crest: top of a wave Curl: the most powerful part of the wave, the bit that you can see curling over, just before it breaks. Surfers aim to stay as close as possible to the curl Face: unbroken section of the wave Green room: the inside of a barrel. So called because the water is clear and green in there Soup: white, foamy water Types of Wave A-frame: a wave that breaks on the left and right, in the shape of a peak Ankle busters: small waves, too small to ride properly Beach break: area where waves break over sand Bomb: a massive wave Foamies: waves made of white foamy water Groundswell waves: waves that are brought in by storms offshore, making them big and powerful Hollow: a wave that has a great barrel, and surfing in it feels like you’re inside a tube Novelty waves: fun, unpredictable waves that might catch you off-guard. Not technically great, but super fun Nug: a good wave Overhead: a wave that is higher than head height Party wave: a wave that multiple people are surfing Point break: area where waves break around a bit of land that juts out from the shore, often at angles Reef break: area where waves break over rock or coral on the seabed Catching a Wave Aerial: leaving your board and getting some air Bailing: general term for jumping off your board to avoid a bad situation Barrelled, locked in, slotted, pitted, shacked: surfing in the barrel of the wave, surrounded perfectly by the hollow of the curl. All these terms try to express the amazing feeling of getting it just right, so you feel you’re in a cosy home in the wave Carve: a sharp turn or move on a wave Charging: attacking a wave with aggression Dawn patrol: going surfing very early in the morning. A sign of commitment Goofy foot: riding with your right foot forward and left foot back on the board Hang five: surfing with one foot at the nose of the board, five toes hanging off the front Hang ten: surfing with both feet on the nose of the board, ten toes hanging off the front Hang eleven: a surfer who rides naked. I’ll let you do the maths Lineup: the orderly queue of surfers waiting for waves, must be respected Snaking, cutting off, dropping in: taking a wave out of turn, or stealing it from someone else who might have been closer or more deserving of the wave. Bad etiquette Stuffed: pushed underwater by a wave Washing machine, worked, battered: getting rolled around underwater by a wave, generally getting owned by the waves Wiping out, grubbing, heading, mullering: falling off the board while surfing Surfer’s Who’s who Barney: a beginner surfer, an uncool surfer Benny: a non-local surfer, tourist. Not a poached egg on an English muffin, with hollandaise sauce Frube: a surfer who fails to catch a single wave in the whole session Grom, grommet – young surfer, usually a child. Gidget: contraction of ‘girl midget’, a small female surfer Hodad: someone who hangs out on the beach and doesn’t surf Jake, quimby: someone who gets in the way of other more experienced surfers Junkyard dog: a surfer with bad technique or style. Not enviable. Kook: an annoying surfing newbie, or someone who is disrespectful or arrogant out on the water. Men in gray suits, Noahs: sharks Namer: someone who spills a secret surf spot to others Quasimodo: a person with a hunched surfing stance that makes you look like the Hunchback of Notre Dame Shubie: someone who buys into the surfer look and attitude but does not surf Wave hog: a surfer who can’t share a wave Raving about your surf trip Epic, far out, rad, radical, sick, tubular: awesome Going off, firing, cranking: the waves were great and you had a lovely time. ‘It was going off yesterday!’ Shaka: the surfer’s sign of goodwill, made by making a loose fist with extended thumb and pinky finger. Referred to as ‘hang loose’ and a sign of friendship and solidarity in the surfing community. Skunked: you had a bad time as there were no good waves. ‘You got skunked out there.’ With these terms, you’re ready for any conversation with a surfer. Well, most. But, at least you can be sure you won’t be washing machine rinsed on the beach by your bros on vacation! (Side note: Kiters and aspiring kiters, check out our Kiteboarding Lingo for Beginners!) Join us in Cabarete this autumn for some seriously epic waves. Surf’s up!