If Cabarete Beach is known for one thing, it’s kiteboarding. The combination of waves and wind makes the area ideal for both first-timers and veteran kiteboarders, and you’ll find a plethora of kiteboarding schools clustered along the sand between Cabarete and the aptly named Kite Beach. You can check swell direction and wind through the attached URL.

Surfing is another popular way to spend the day in Cabarete, but you’ll find the best surf and surfing schools just north of Cabarete along a pretty stretch of palm-lined sand called Encuentro Beach.

If surfing and kiteboarding are a little intense for your taste but you still want to get out on the water, try stand-up paddleboarding! You’ll find plenty of rental options and lessons along the beach in Cabarete, all within easy walking distance of the resorts.

Walk along Cabarete Beach, and you’ll have your pick of ocean-front dining right there in the sand, which is just oh-so-romantic.

Some favorite spots are Drifter’s (get the burger), Ojos (try the nachos), Bahia Bazaar (order everything, especially dessert from Cabarete Bakery), and Yalla (the arepas!).

Do you hate sandy feet? Is dining with gritty toes your worst nightmare? Your secret is safe here. Skip the beachside eateries and head to Pho King for what "the best pho we’ve ever had," according to an American travel expert, or to Hotel Ultra Infinity for the Caribean-style chicken curry or the chicken pineapple bowl, which is literally served inside a pineapple.

Take advantage of the calm waters and colorful marine life. Only 25 minutes away, there are plenty of snorkeling opportunities in Sosúa as well for novices.

What’s a vacation without a massage? Massages in Cabarete cost a fraction of what they do in the US, making a 90-minute massage a delightfully affordable splurge. Natura Cabana is highly recommended and you can book using the attached URL. However, most resorts along Cabarete Beach offer spa services if Natura Cabana is too far for you.

The curvature of Cabarete Beach and the constant activity along the shoreline make this a great spot for a walk on the beach. Head out early in the morning to avoid the crowds if you’re running or power walking, or enjoy a leisurely evening stroll and watch the colorful kites floating along the horizon.

Are you feeling adventurous? And have you rented a car? Head to Wilson’s La Boca! This vibrant, rustic eatery dishes up tasty, fresh, wood-fired seafood right on the beach. The last stretch of the road to get to the beach is on the dicey side, so I don’t recommend going after a heavy rain, and you’ll catch the motorboat ferry across to the restaurant from the parking area- which is all just part of the charm.

However, I wouldn’t plan to hang out on the mainland beach, as the ocean plastic situation is pretty gnarly and depressing.