When people think about a vacation in the Dominican Republic, they typically think of Punta Cana with its white sand beaches and huge all-inclusive resorts. It’s easy to see the appeal of a convenient vacation fully planned for you, but the all-inclusive Punta Cana vacation may not be for everyone.
A vacation in a small, action-packed beach town like Cabarete may be a better option for some people…for quite a few reasons!
Wondering which one is right for you? We’re going over the 3 major Punta Cana vs. Cabarete differences in this blog post so you can make an informed decision about which Dominican Republic vacation is the best fit for you and yours!
You Will Stay More Active During Your Vacation in Cabarete
Here in Cabarete, we fully believe that movement is life — and we act like it, too!
Cabarete is famous worldwide for its water sports scene, which makes it a great destination for people who want to stay active during their vacation and learn a new sport (or a couple!).
Kitesurfing
Kitesurfing is probably the first thing that comes up when you talk about Cabarete with someone. Kitesurfers from all over the world come to Cabarete to practice because of our nearly-perfect conditions all year round.
If you’ve never tried kitesurfing, Cabarete is home to some really great IKO-certified kiteboarding schools, such as Cabarete Kite Point Kiteboarding School and AGK. It’s a great family activity to do together with your loved ones — so get ready for some unforgettable moments!
In contrast, Punta Cana’s kitesurfing scene is pretty non-existent. There are a few schools here and there (that you’ll have to spend a lot of time traveling to from your hotel), but what makes it really hard to learn how to kitesurf in Punta Cana are the bad wind conditions.
Sometimes there is no wind for weeks — it’s impossible to kitesurf without the wind! — and then you and your instructor are stuck waiting for it to come back until it’s pretty much time for you to go back home!
Pretty disappointing, huh?
Surfing
Cabarete also has a great surfing scene. Encuentro Beach is a picturesque beach (no less pretty than Punta Cana’s beaches and WAY less touristy) just a 10 minute drive from Cabarete Palm Beach Condos.
The conditions are stable all year round, with bigger waves in the winter and smaller waves in the summer. If you’re a beginner, there are great schools right on Encuentro where you can take lessons or enroll your kid in a surf camp.
Punta Cana also has a surfing beach, Macao. However, if you’re staying in an all-inclusive hotel in Bavaro or Punta Cana (where most all-inclusive resorts are), it’ll take you around 30 minutes to drive to Macao.
Surfing schools on Macao also have more of a touristy vibe than the ones on Encuentro. You’ll get professional photos and videos you can buy, “tropical” snacks (from the nearest supermarket LOL), long breaks and other “cultural” experiences that are actually not authentic at all and are just business.
At Encuentro you get surf lessons with real locals and no touristy distractions. Just you, your instructor, and your surfboard!
Other Sports and Activities
In addition to kitesurfing and surfing, there are also a TON of other sports and activities you can try out in Cabarete, such as SUP (Standup Paddleboarding), windsurfing, horseback riding, canyoning and cascading, and more!
In contrast, Punta Cana vacations typically consist of migrating from your hotel room to the beach, settling on your sunbed with a cocktail in hand, and staying there until it’s time to go to an all-inclusive restaurant.
There are some activities in Punta Cana that you can try, but they’re typically way less active and significantly more touristy!
You Will Experience More Dominican Culture in Cabarete
It’s no secret that all-inclusive resorts in Punta Cana are very far removed from the local Dominican culture. They’re typically foreign-owned large chains that offer a very Western and curated experience of the Dominican Republic, its culture, and people.
Why go to the Dominican Republic if you’re not ACTUALLY going to experience it?
Cabarete has virtually no all-inclusive hotels and when you stay there, you’ll be interacting with the locals and local culture every day. The businesses you’ll visit, such as restaurants, coffee shops, and water sports schools, are small businesses owned by locals or expats who’ve been living there for years, not big corporations.
Dominicans are friendly, welcoming people with the funniest sense of humor. You’ll laugh, pick up a few words in (Dominican) Spanish, and make new friends!
The food is also simply AWESOME and very different from what you’d typically get even in the most expensive Punta Cana all-inclusive. Plus, would you rather buy freshly caught fish and seafood from a local fisherman or stand for 15 minutes in line at an all-inclusive resort restaurant only to realize there’s only one lobster left and have a Karen fight you over it? Thought so!
If you want a super “safe” and curated experience of the Dominican Republic, then a Punta Cana all-inclusive is for you. But if you want to discover a new culture, make unforgettable memories, and open your eyes to new perspectives, then Cabarete is a much better choice!
You Will Get Healthier During Your Vacation in Cabarete
This one kind of goes along with staying more active during your vacation in Cabarete vs. Punta Cana, but there’s SO much more to it than that!
All-inclusive vacations in Punta Cana typically revolve around sugary cocktails, unlimited food all the time, and doing very little — with a couple of touristy + overpriced excursions thrown in there.
It can be fun to indulge for a couple of days, but when you spend two weeks in the booze-food-sunbed-repeat cycle you come back from your vacation…needing another vacation!
When you spend two weeks in Cabarete, you actually REST and get healthier. In addition to staying active, you also eat healthier food because restaurants here are very health-conscious, get naturally sucked into good-for-you activities such as yoga or even more spiritual events like New Moon Circles, and easily form community connections (community is good for the soul!).
Cabarete offers a body, mind and soul experience to go back home energized and full of good memories. In contrast, Punta Cana sells you a certain idea of rest that is actually way less healthy and can ultimately make you feel more tired!
Ready to experience Cabarete to the fullest?
Cabarete Palm Beach Condos is a beach front getaway in the heart of Cabarete, just a few minutes away from the top activities and offering awesome amenities such as a private pool, spacious condos, and daily housekeeping.
Combine the convenience of a Punta Cana vacation with authenticity and adventure — book your ocean-front condo now!