The lively north shore outpost of Cabarete: The Coolest Beach Town...
THE TOP 5 LIST
1. Water Sports
In Cabarete, water sports are the no-brainer. Whether you're a novice or a seasoned pro, you'll find rental and instructional facilities for a host of sports like windsurfing, kiteboarding, surfing and wakeboarding lining the beaches. For the best surf instruction, head to nearby Encuentro Beach where you can take a lesson as well as rent boards, water shoes and surf apparel from 321 Take Off.
Surf lessons from $40 per person all day, or $180 per person for a week of instruction; Board rentals from $25 per day.
2. Rio Yesica Boat Tour
Venture just east of Cabarete to under-the-radar Isla Bon, where an unmarked road winds its way to the mouth of the Rio Yesica. Hop on a wooden skiff and take a guided river tour, then head back to the end-of-the-road hideaway of La Boca Grill to feast on the day's catch. The adventure outfitter Iguana Mama can arrange mountain biking trips - or for the less inclined, a quick van ride - to the secluded spot for half-day excursions.
Bike tour including river tour from $60 per adult ($50 per child).
809-571-0908; iguanamama.com
3. Waterfall Cascading
The truly fearless vacationer shouldn't miss this guided tour that treks over, under and through a series of 27 cascades in the Damajagua area. Guided by adventure outfitter Iguana Mama, you'll hike, climb and swim your way to the top of the waterfall chain, then cliff-jump your way back down - sometimes leaping over falls of 30-feet or more. No experience is necessary, though you'll need to be at least 12 and a capable swimmer to join in. And don't forget a change of clothes for the end – you won't stay dry here.
Tours operate on Tuesdays and Saturdays; From $79 per person.
4. Golf
The Dominican Republic is one of the hottest golf destinations in the Caribbean, and you'll have your choice of challenging courses within easy driving distance. Just 30 minutes west of Cabarete, the Playa Dorada resort complex is home to a tough par-72 course by Robert Trent Jones, and an hour away you'll find Playa Grande – also designed by Jones, and considered to be one of the D.R.'s most spectacular oceanfront courses. Even better, greens fees on both tracks are a fraction of the cost of courses in more-popular Punta Cana.
Playa Dorado greens fees from $52 per person in summer (May 1 - October 30); Playa Grande greens fees from $100 per person year-round.
5. Dining and Nightlife
If you find yourself hungry on Cabarete beach, you won't have to wander very far for a delicious bite to eat. The beach is peppered with a variety of open-air restaurants offering eclectic cuisine from Spanish, Japanese, Caribbean, even French influences, and in the evenings patrons of the properties spill out onto the adjoining patios and beachfront seating areas to enjoy island cocktails and live music. Among the best hotspots are LAX, Miró, Bambu Bar and Jose O'Shay's, all of which fringe the same half-mile crescent of sand, so you won't have any trouble beach-bar hopping from one to the next in the same night.
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