Cabarete Attractions and Other Activities.Cabarete attractions: If you travel with a non windsurfing/kitesurfing spouse or children there are many other activities that can keep them happy especially since you can easily join them. (The wind sleeps all morning in Cabarete, remember?) There are a few suggestions on how to spend a quality family time there.
Please, be a compassionate traveler! Do NOT use the service of Dolphin and Shark Swims Programs that hold these wild animals in captivity. The capture and transportation process causes the death of thousands of these animals before they reach the destination. Also the average life span of a dolphin in the wild is 45 years; yet half of all captured dolphins die within their first two years of captivity. The survivors last an average of only 5 years in captivity more
Adventure trip to 27 Waterfalls of Rio Damajagua (27 Charcos) 
Leave Cabarete early in the morning (the wind will wait for you don’t worry) and head to what is locally called 27 Charcos for an awesome adventure experience. However, you have to be fit and adventurous to make this tour. The waterfalls by themselves are not the most spectacular in the world (in fact there are only about 7-10 of them which are really tall) but it's an experience you will never forget. You will start by swimming against the river and some body rafting; proceeded with rock and rope climbing as well as some interesting hiking. On the way back you will be jumping off the cliffs and sliding down the waterfalls. The river banks are beautiful and quite dramatic with some amazing formations, limestone caves and gigantic tropical plants. You will reach the waterfalls entrance by car in 20 min after you passed Puerto Plata. Total time travel from Cabarete is about 45 min. Check their website for detailed directions. The entrance fee of US$13 (460 pesos) this includes a life jacket, helmet, and trained guide. We do NOT recommend booking a tour with any of the tour companies. They will charge you US $79 for simply brining you there and taking you to the first 7 waterfalls. Also, being in a large tour crowds is not the best way to enjoy nature. Make sure you don’t leave any valuables in the car! If you are in a small group (up to 4) the waterfalls tour will take about 2 hours. Therefore, if you left Cabarete at 7:30 a.m. you will be back in time for a lunch and some good wind.
El Choco National Park and Cabarete Caves National park (also called Area Protegida Cabarete y Goleta) has a lagoon, tropical plants, exotic birds, caves, fresh water springs and abruptly jutting hills. The park's main attraction is its caves with sub-terranean water systems and underground pools, as large as soccer fields. The park has geological formations unique to the Dominican Republic, called the "Caribbean Karst", as well as 862 species of flora, 12 species of bats, and 36 species of birds. A visit can last from just a few hours to the entire day; it's up to you.
They offer 1.5 hour tours suited for all ages, and may give you tours into the National park as well.
Snorkeling and Scuba diving in Sosua All tour companies take people to Sosua to snorkel. However, tourtists who pay US $60-70 per person for this trip don’t know that you can do it on your own FOR FREE. 
Take your snorkels (you can buy or rent them in Sosua if you don’t have any) and drive to Sosua. It is only a 10 min drive from Cabarete. The best time is early in the morning before all the tours arrive. Park around Sosua Bay Hotel area and go down to the beautiful beach beneath the hotel. (Make sure you don’t leave any valuables in the car.) There is a big bazaar of local crafts on your way to the beach as well as along the beach itself. The beach is not as big as in Cabarete but it is completely sheltered and the water is clear and turquoise. Swim for a few meters and you are reached. The huge yellow corral gardens lying underneath those waters are amazing. There is not many fish but it is still worth it. If you are a good swimmer you can explore the entire bay. The sheltered beach with such turquoise calm water can be a nice alternative to Cabarete beach for a few hours. On your way back you will see tour crowds just arriving on the beach. Scuba diving can be also arranged here in any of the local scuba shops.
Puerto Plata: sightseeing, shopping, promenade Spend a morning in Puerto Plata and head back to Cabarete in the afternoon. Puerto Plata is the major town on the north coast located only 20-25 min drive from Cabarete. Here is a list of things to do to make this trip short but interesting. If you rented a car you probably got a map which includes Puerto Plata. Start with Fort San Felipe, the oldest fort in the New World built in 1564, located on the top of a small cliff. It costs only 75˘ to get in and about 10-15 min to explore the building. There is a nice promenade right around the fort with the panoramic vistas along the way. From there you can easily get to the Central Park with many shops and San Feliper Cathedral. (Both places are located on calle Separacion.)
Mount Isabel de Torres The mountain located at the end of Puerto Plata town and may be explored as a separate trip. A cable car takes you on the pinnacle which is 780m (2,558 ft.) above sea level. In the 10 min ride you will see the amazing panoramic view of what is called the Amber Coast.
You can leave anytime you are ready. The cable car runs every 10 min. Normally, the trip would take you about 2 hours. The round-trip costs US$10 (350 pesos). The aerial ride runs Thursday to Tuesday 8am to 5pm. Once you passed Puerto Plata’s downtown look for “Teleférico” sign on your left which means “cable car” in Spanish. Another way to do it is to simply drive on top of the mountain (there is a road recently finished that goes to the very top). This is the way locals do it, skipping the part where they have to pay for the cable car ride. This way it is free and you do not depend on the schedule but you will miss the best part of the experience.
Ocean World Ocean World is 5km (3 miles) west of Puerto Plata. It claims to be the largest entertainment complex in the country. A big portion of the Ocean world's business revolves around Dolphin and Shark Swims. Please, do NOT use the service of Dolphin and Shark Swims Programs that hold these wild animals in captivity. Truth Behind The "Swim-With-Dolphins" Industry The complex also has a big Casino with weekly tournaments. Bravissimo -a big dancing show is staged at Ocean World almost every night (You will have to pay extra for the show). Go any evening after the wind is gone for the night of entertainment.
|
Both the National Park and the Cabarete Caves may be accessed from the same entrance in Cabarete. (The entrance fees are separate.) Just past the Tigermart on the right is a sign for the Cuavas del Choco. From there it is about a 15-minute walk or a few minutes drive down the dirt road to the "Cabarete Caves" office. 
Official admittance fee is US $1.50 (50 pesos). If you have problem finding the entrance ask for directions in any shop in downtown. Most locals know how to get there and may personally accompany you to the park entrance for only a few dollars tip. (The private tour company in Cabarete will charge you about US $39 per person and will try to convince you that booking a tour with them is the only option to see the park or the caves.) Again once you parked your car make sure you don’t leave any valuables inside. 
After that, go see the Museum of Dominican Amber located just a few block from the Centeral park. (Admission is only US $1.20).
They have a good display of these semi-precious gems with insects, leaves, flowers, preserved perfectly in the prehistoric resin called Amber. You can do some shopping right there in the gift shop of the Amber Museum or around the Central Park. 
