Looks amazing huh? So there’s two ways you can do this trip to Cabarete, Dominican Republic. One is cheap, and one is ridiculously cheap. My husband does this trip more in the ridiculously cheap category.
If you are willing to rough it, you can stay at Ali’s surf camp for just $28 a night. This includes continental breakfast and a great dinner. The rooms are very basic, no a/c unless you pay extra, but they do have a fan, bathroom, and mosquito net around the bed (yes, you will be battling it out with mosquitos, insects and intense heat and humidity in the DR). You may also encounter power outages. It’s more like a hostel with private rooms, a beautiful pool, and an excellent outdoor restaurant. There is also a beginner surfing class in the mornings for $20 extra if you are interested. However, the best part about it is that It’s a great place to meet other interesting world travelers who like extreme sports and traveling on a budget.
If I lost you at mosquitos and insects, I don’t blame you, especially with all the concern about Zika and chikungunya, dengue fever and malaria. It’s not my cup of tea either but my husband has some beautiful photos from his recent kitesurfing trip there. He actually takes malaria pills before he goes. This year he is also using a blend of essential oils in a spray bottle, which seems to be keeping those pesky little guys at bay. The mixture is chemical free and uses NO deet. It is made mostly with an “outdoor blend,” but I altered it with a few additional drops of arborvitae, eucalyptus and cedarwood.
If you prefer luxury, there are also plenty of nice beachfront resorts with a/c and less mosquitos because they are oceanfront (Ali’s camp is 10 minutes walk from the beach). You will be paying more than $28/night, but the DR is still one of the cheapest islands in the Caribbean.
The water is clear and it’s almost always sunny out, so it’s also a beautiful place for snorkeling and diving. The sun can be terribly draining though, so there’s plenty of vacationers just lounging at the beach with a book and a mojito. Be sure to try a shot of mamajuana, a favorite Dominican drink made by soaking rum, wine, and honey in a mixture with bark and herbs. Also be sure to enjoy an hour long massage at the beach for only $20.
It’s also probably the cheapest and best place to learn to kiteboard. It’s windy year round, and lessons cost only $60/day vs. over $400/day in the US. On any given day there, you can see 100-200 kites sailing across the water, many of them hurling themselves 30 feet into the air.
After a full day of kiting, you can enjoy 2 for 1 Cuba libres (rum and coke) for about $4. It’s very hard to beat the price and atmosphere of a day at the beach in caberete. The town is swamped with friendly and adventurous tourists, many from Europe (the Germans love this town). The locals are also very friendly and welcoming despite their beach being overrun with tourists crashing kites. Nightlife can be crazy, so you definitely need to be safer and smarter at night in the Dominican Republic.
The town of Cabarete, about 30 minutes from Puerto Plata airport, is quite small so you don’t even need a car once you are there. The main beach, bars, restaurants, and nightlife are all on one short stretch of beach maybe a mile long. The roads are actually quite dangerous though, and so my husband doesn’t recommend a car. He also avoids the motorcycle taxis (motoconchos) and associated “Dominican tattoo” (a common burn tourists get on their calf from touching the hot engine while hanging onto the back of their motoconcho driver). If you need to go somewhere, either walk or take a large taxi the size of a van. The drivers on the roads make extreme kitesurfing look like child’s play.
Here’s a breakdown of the costs for a two week trip in Cabarete (done the “ridiculously cheap” way):
Total cost of trip:
Airfare from San Diego – $650
14 nights at Ali’s surf camp including breakfast and dinners – $392
Lunches and drinks – $300
Transfers/Incidentals – $100
Click HERE for PART TWO… with more tips and photos!
looks like a great place
Some day I’ll get there… But likely the “cheap” route. Haha
Wow! You got a great deal! I can’t believe you were able to stay for so long for so little. Amazing!
Right?! So cheap. This is the 3rd year he has done it, so it’s not a fluke. ? I’m sure he will be plan in next years trip ASAP. Haha.
I hadn’t really thought as much about heading to the Dominican Republic, but that sounds like a great bargain. Your photos are gorgeous.
Thank you! You can definitely go for super cheap if you are up for it!!! Luckily it’s a fairly reasonable trip even if you step it up a little.
We love the Dominican Republic! We splurged because we rarely get a kid free vacation but I think it’s pretty no matter where you stay! I’m not sure about mosquitos though…I’m a total mosquito magnet! Maybe it was the time of year we went but luckily we didn’t run into many.
They’re usually not as bad closer to the ocean so I’m sure that helped. I’m guessing you were on the water if you “splurged.” I am a total mosquito magnet also. Thankfully that essential oil blend/spray has been amazing! Plus I love that it’s chemical and deet free. ?
2 weeks for that cheap? Daaaaang! Awesome write up I wanna go now!
I know, right?! That’s why it is the “ridiculously cheap” way to do the DR. 😉
Wow, what an incredible vacation, the pictures are gorgeous, and it’s a lot more affordable than I would have anticipated. I can’t believe you paid $390 for 14 days, and it included food, amazing!
If you can handle the accommodations, it’s a smoking deal. But there are a ton of great deals to be had.
It’s amazing how much you can save if you approach things with some preparation. It’s a pity that air travel for us from Europe will still make the journey way too expensive… :((
That is definitely too bad… Although I can bet you can find different deals. ? Let me know if you do. And watch for sales on DR flights. ??
This isn’t bad at all!!
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Stunning picture! Deals are good too! http;//www.fashiondues.blogspot.com
Thank you! and yes. Deals are AMAZING!!!
This is so PERFECT! I can’t believe it’s so cheap!! Seriously, a major bucket list item for me.
Awesome!! It’s def a very cheap vacation!!
The trip is very affordable but I’m not really good with directions so I always stick with tour packages.
Oh. We usually don’t do tour packages. My first priority is saving money!!! ?
You guys know how to save money! I like to save money, but I don’t think I’d be able to brave no A/C in that humidity and heat, lol.
Haha….that’s how I feel. I’d do the cheap version… I leave the ridiculously cheap to my husband. ?
Pretty sure you just gave me the travel bug! I literally just got back from a vacation in Hawaii and already you have me trying to plan a fun (and cheap) trip to the DR. Thanks for sharing!
I know the feeling!!! Hope you make it there. If so, let us know.
Where in Hawaii were you?
I definitely will. We were in Waikiki on the island of Oahu. Did not want to leave haha
Fun. I haven’t been to Waikiki in years! My husband did a Maui kiteboarding trip earlier this year. I’d love to visit the Big Island. ❤️
Thanks for sharing this article!! As I am sometimes working from places where I can relax and stay for cheap, this looks as an amazing option. 2 cuba libres for 4$, cheap massages and kitesurfing and surfing lessons sound like that place u really want to go!! It there a good internet connection at most places?
There is internet where my husband stays but it might not be quite good enough for “working”… He often uses the Internet more at the beach. ? If you upgrade a little and go the “cheap” route vs the “ridiculously cheap” the nicer hotels have great service.
Ahh, that’s true. Love that way how u call it ridiculously cheap vs cheap haha 🙂 Thanks for info!
Well, we do everything the “frugal” way. ?
Oh wow the price is excellent. Especially the airfare. I would probably safe a lot flying out of DC.
Oh. Totally. Flights from the east coast are even cheaper!! Lucky you!
Great article! I wanna visit the D.R. soon but it seemed so expensive!
Ah. I hope you can make it there!!!
What a gorgeous place! I’ve always wanted to tour the entire Caribbean. I love the cuisine, the culture, the music and the cricket. Maybe one day.
That would be an amazing trip!!!
This looks amazing! I’d definitely be eaten alive by the mosquitos, though haha.
Ah… Then you need some essential oils. ???
I have wanted to visit Dominican for some time, even Haiti to discover more about their culture (I will wait until Matthew leaves for good). Thanks for the fab photos and motivation to bring this place up to the top of the bucket list 🙂 the budget tips helped as well!