Laurel has chosen Cabarete, one of the best kiteboarding spots in the world as her personal playground and as the location of her first kiteboarding center.

The other part of the island is Haiti, which as most people know is the poorest country in the entire Western Hemisphere.  It's poverty rivals even South East Asia or most of Africa.  Haiti is a highly publicized nation, and most of the news is bad.  However the problems in Haiti are far removed from a kiteboarding vacation in Cabarete, and there is no need to worry.

How to get to Cabarete ?
Getting around

The good news is that getting to Cabarete is pretty easy!  Fly to Puerto Plata airport (POP) and take a taxi 20 minutes to Cabarete, a ride that costs $40 each way.

There are direct flights from the East Coast USA: American Airlines from Miami (MIA) and Jet Blue from New York (JFK).  For folks coming from the West Coast it's a bit longer, either a red-eye over to Miami/New York, or a layover night.  It's ideal (if it's possible) to tack on a Cabarete trip when out East, as the flight time from Miami is less than 2 hours.

From Europe there are charter companies flying to Puerto Plata: Thomas Cook from England, Jet Air Fly from Brussels, Tui from Germany.

There are other airports in the Dominican Republic, and many of them offer better fares than into Puerto Plata, but when planning your trip take into consideration that the cost and/or time it takes may make it not worth it.

Santiago (STI) is the next best option.  The taxi fare from the airport to Cabarete is $100 each way, if you are in a group this can save money, as the taxis are big and can take quite a few people and their kite gear without any problem.  The taxi trip takes about 1 and 1/2 hours (90 minutes) and goes over a beautiful (but winding) mountain road.

Santo Domingo (SDQ) is the famous capital of Dominican Republic.  Arriving here you take a taxi to the bus station located in the city (about $30-40) then hop on Caribe Tours Bus to Sousa, about 4.5 hours and 10$. From Sosua hop into taxi and 15 minutes/$20 later you are in the heart of Cabarete.  It's a long mission of a trip.  Taxi fare is around $200 one way.  There are no scheduled flights from SDQ to POP, however chartering a plane may be possible, email us if you are considering this option.

Our kiteboarding school is very easy to find from both the beach and the road. For sure the easiest is from the beach. If you are standing in Cabarete just head to your left (downwind) until you see a stunning white resort building with an infinity pool, you should also see our LEK flags and the kite school.

From the road from POP airport you pass Kitebeach, and go about 1/2 a mile further.  Pass the Esso gas station on ther right, when you see the signs for Tropicoco Restaurant on the left you are almost there.  Next you should see a beautiful sign for "Millennium Resort & Spa",  turn left and you will meet our friendly security team - let them know you are going to the kite school (or "Laura Kite").  Once inside the resort find parking and walk down to the left of the building (you will see the sign saying Laurel Eastman Kiteboarding.  Pass Aqua Restaurant and you will hit the beach.  Turn right and we are there, just past the infinity swimming pool and grove of palm trees.

One of our favorite things about Cabarete is that once you are here a car is not necessary. The common form of transportation is on the back of a motorcycle taxi, called a motoconcho. These trips are exciting and risky, and not recommended.  We also do not recommend renting a car, driving in the DR is best left to the Dominicans who know the "system".

We recommend a combo of taxis and walking.

From Laurel Eastman Kiteboarding/Ocean Dream/Millennium Resort you can walk on the beach to town.  In the evening after a fun dinner/drinks/dancing we recommend you take the taxi home, the cost is around $7.

If you are up for a cultural experience and adventure you can try the public transportation, a shared van or car system that packs an entertaining number of passengers inside then races like wildfire.  If you don't mind zero personal space and no seatbelts then it can be really funny for short distances.  

To get to the surfing in Encuentro we recommend taking the transfer service from the local surf school, we work with Markus at 321 Take Off, he also organizes the famous Master of the Ocean contest each year and has been in Cabarete for almost 20 years.  His team picks you up at your condo each morning, takes you to surf, and drops you back in time for breakfast or brunch, all for $5 per person.

For more tips about getting around in Cabarete just talk to the LEK team either by email, or when you are here.