Cabarete, Puerto Plata and the Samaná Peninsula — where the trade winds blow every afternoon, the beaches stay uncrowded and the property market is still finding its ceiling.
Cabarete is one of the world's great wind-sports destinations. The trade winds build between midday and 2pm almost every day of the year. Playa Encuentro is the country's premier surf break; Kite Beach is the kitesurfing centre.
From January to March, thousands of humpback whales gather in Samaná Bay to breed and calve — one of the most reliable whale-watching seasons anywhere, roughly two hours from Cabarete.
El Choco National Park sits fifteen minutes inland from Cabarete. The 27 Waterfalls of Damajagua are 45 minutes away, and Los Haitises is reachable from the Samaná side.
Puerto Plata (POP) takes direct flights from New York in about 3.5 hours, Miami in 2, and Boston and Toronto in around 4. Samaná El Catey (AZS) serves the peninsula.
Foreigners can own titled Dominican property outright, with the same rights as citizens. CONFOTUR-approved tourism projects add exemptions of up to 15 years on transfer and property tax.
We live here, run hotels here, and have bought, built and sold here. You deal with people who know the lawyers, the notaries, the builders and the neighbourhoods.
Two of our four properties sit on this coast — one on the beach at Cabarete, one in the hills above Playa Rincón.
A beachfront eco lodge with five room types, solar power and organic farm-to-table food. Three surf breaks within walking distance, Kite Beach a 12-minute drive.
A renovated holiday home with a private infinity pool overlooking Las Galeras Bay, steps from Playa Rincón — regularly ranked among the top ten beaches in Latin America.
When is the best time to visit?
It is warm year-round. Trade winds peak from June to August, best for kitesurfing and wing foiling. The biggest surf runs November to March. February to April are the driest months, and whale season in Samaná is January to March.
How far is Cabarete from Puerto Plata airport?
About 25 minutes by road. Private transfers cost around $35 and can be arranged in advance.
What is Cabarete known for?
Cabarete is one of the world's leading kitesurfing and windsurfing destinations, thanks to reliable side-shore trade winds that build every afternoon. Playa Encuentro is the premier surf beach in the Dominican Republic.
Can I combine the North Coast with other parts of the island?
Yes. Santo Domingo is about three hours from Cabarete, Samaná around two, and Punta Cana roughly five. We run properties in all four and arrange private transfers between them.