Cabarete is the DR's action sports capital and has the most active digital nomad scene in the country. The town is built around kitesurfing, surfing, and an international social scene that makes it easy to meet people within days of arriving. Energy levels are high and the cost is moderate.
Is Cabarete right for you?
Cabarete is ideal for kitesurfers, windsurfers, surfers, and anyone who structures their life around water sports. Digital nomads who want a social, international environment find it easy to plug into the community. It is less suited to retirees who prefer quiet, families with school-age children, or anyone who needs consistent long-term social bonds rather than the transient community that characterises the town.
What the scores mean
Cabarete is slightly cheaper than Las Terrenas but more expensive than the interior. A furnished studio or one-bedroom near the beach runs $500, $900 per month. Eating at beach bars and tourist restaurants adds up quickly; those who cook at home and use local spots keep food costs under $300 per month. The score of 7.0 reflects moderate value: better than the capital for lifestyle per dollar, and cheaper than Las Terrenas for comparable living.
Cabarete is relatively safe in the main expat and tourist zones. The beach strip and central areas are busy and well-monitored. The same caution that applies anywhere in the DR applies here: do not leave valuables on the beach, use a safe for passports, and avoid unfamiliar areas after dark. The score of 7.0 reflects a town where expats generally feel comfortable but basic awareness is required.
Cabarete has basic medical clinics but no significant hospital. Sosua, 10 minutes west, has slightly better private facilities. For serious care, Puerto Plata (45 minutes) or Santiago (2 hours) are the options. Most active-sports residents carry good health insurance. The score of 5.5 reflects limited local capacity, appropriate for a small beach town with an active population that accepts some medical risk. Named facilities nearby: CMC (Centro Medico Cibao) in Sosua is a full hospital about 15 minutes away. Bournigal Hospital in Puerto Plata (20 to 40 minutes) has full facilities and many specialists. Santiago (1.5 to 2 hours) handles the most complex cases. Emergency: 911. Tourist police (POLITUR): 809-200-3500. Pharmacies are on the main strip and in Sosua, with Carol's Pharmacy well known.
Internet quality in Cabarete is genuinely good for a small beach town. Several co-working spaces offer fibre with speeds consistently above 50 Mbps. Most long-term apartments are wired or have reliable routers. The score of 8.5 reflects above-average connectivity that supports remote workers well, which is why the nomad scene has taken root here.
Cabarete's lifestyle score is built on one thing above all: the water. If you kitesurf, windsurf, or surf, there is almost nowhere in the world that offers this combination of consistent conditions, warm water, and easy land infrastructure. Beyond the sports, the social scene is vibrant, international, and easy to enter. The score of 8.5 reflects high lifestyle value for active, social people.
Monthly budget breakdown
Map of Cabarete
Neighbourhoods in Cabarete
Cabarete Centre →
Main beach strip with restaurants, bars, kite schools, and the highest concentration of expat life.
Caleta / La Punta
West of centre, quieter residential area popular with longer-term residents and remote workers.
Encuentro →
Surf beach a few minutes east. More local character, cheaper rent, preferred by the surf crowd.
Sosua
10 minutes west. Larger town with more services, lower rents, and a different expat demographic.
Jamao al Norte
Inland agricultural area behind Cabarete. Cooler, very local, rarely visited by expats.
Neighbourhoods in Cabarete
Cabarete is stretched along a coastal strip with distinct character at each end. Where you live shapes your daily experience significantly.
Cabarete Town Centre / Beachfront
The social and commercial heart of Cabarete. The beach strip is lined with restaurants, bars, surf shops, and kite schools. Lively at all hours and the best location for meeting people quickly. Noise levels are high, especially near the main road. Best for those who prioritise social access over quiet.
Caleta / La Punta
West of the main strip, quieter and more residential. Home to some co-working spaces and longer-term expat rentals. Still within easy reach of the town centre but noticeably calmer. Popular with digital nomads who want proximity without being in the noise.
Encuentro
A short drive east of town, Encuentro is a surf beach with a more laid-back, local character. Less expat infrastructure than the main strip but quieter and cheaper. Popular with surfers and those seeking a break from the tourist scene. Requires transport to access most amenities.
Sosua (nearby)
Not Cabarete itself but frequently considered alongside it. Sosua is 10 minutes west and has a significant long-term expat community, lower rental prices, more services, and a different atmosphere. Less kitesurfing-focused, more mixed. Worth considering if Cabarete prices are too high or if you prefer a less nomad-centric environment.
Living in Cabarete: the honest picture
What works well
- Best kitesurfing and surfing in the Caribbean
- Strong digital nomad community
- Easy to meet people quickly
- Reliable internet for remote work
- Moderate cost compared to Las Terrenas
Watch out for
- Electricity is the No.1 cost surprise: properties on private sub-grids run 0.30 to 0.35 USD per kWh and heavy A/C can reach 500 to 700 USD a month, so ask before signing
- Noisy main strip
- Transient community means friendships are short-lived
- Limited grocery options
- Requires transport for most errands
- Tourist-heavy in peak season
Photos from Cabarete
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, it is one of the best setups in the DR. Claro and Altice both offer fibre to most of the main areas, and there are two coworking spaces if you need a desk outside the house. Electricity goes out regularly, so every serious remote worker has an inverter and battery backup. Most expats sort this in the first month. Between Kite Beach and Encuentro you have plenty of cafe options with WiFi as backup.
It depends what you want. Cabarete centre (around Kite Beach) is social, walkable, and noisy on weekends. Encuentro Beach is quieter, surf-focused, and more nature. Lomas Mironas is hillside with sea views, cooler temperatures, and more privacy. Seahorse Ranch is the main gated option for those who want security fencing and a pool. Most long-term expats end up somewhere between centre and Encuentro.
Safe in the main expat areas during the day and early evening. Common sense applies at night: stick to lit streets, take a local taxi rather than walking unfamiliar routes after midnight. Petty theft happens; keep valuables out of sight. The expat WhatsApp groups share real-time local safety updates, which is more useful than any general guide.
Dr. Brugal's clinic in Cabarete handles minor issues, prescriptions, and basic care well. Puerto Plata (30 minutes) has a better-equipped private clinic. Santiago (1.5 hours) is where you go for anything serious, surgeries, or specialist care. Most expats carry international health insurance and have done the research before they need it. Do not rely on public hospitals.
November through July is the main kite season, with the strongest and most consistent trade winds from January to April. The Cabarete Race Week in June draws a big international crowd. August to October the wind drops, which is when Cabarete gets noticeably quieter and accommodation prices drop. Surf at Encuentro is year-round, with the biggest swells from November to March.