According to experienced travelers, Cabarete is one of the few places in the Caribbean island paradise with a reputation for being a center of action sports and adventures. The once so small fishing village rapidly transformed into a world-known water sports destination, adding all kinds of daredevil sports and adrenaline rush adventures throughout the decades following the early 80s.

To this day, the development of Cabarete keeps steady course, with expansion of real estate and tourism and displaying a market unlike any other in the Dominican Republic and the surrounding island communities. Beyond its adventure capital status, traditional tourism with very normal activities and services flourish, just like those found in other beach towns in the region—with daytime relaxation, family-friendly surroundings, wining and dining and a hectic nightlife. It is all there, with a bit more in Cabarete.

Over the past few years, it’s become visibly noticeable that besides the Dominican Republic undergoing changes with respect to tourism, Cabarete is too, and perhaps more than the rest of the country.

Cabarete is evolving from its former “underground backpacker” type of tourism, to what some local businesses compare to the trendy Miami lifestyle tourism. At first glance, this impression might be true. But given a second glance, one discovers that Cabarete is nothing like Miami. Cabarete is uniquely Cabarete.

Local business owners and event organizers a few months ago launched the nonprofit project Promotions Cabarete to inspire and motivate the community to make Cabarete visible to the world. The area is on the threshold of not only being known, but also widely recognized, as “The Adventure Sports Capital of the Caribbean.”

Establishments such as Hotel Villa Taina have set an excellent example to fit the needs of travelers who come to enjoy all that Cabarete offers. Located right in the heart of this kite- and windsurf mecca, Villa Taina offers great value for its comfort. It features its own Kite- and Windsurf Center right on the premises in addition to free internet throughout the hotel, and a great beachfront restaurant where visitors may savor international cuisine.

Villa Taina, www.villataina.com