Kitesurf in Dominican Republic : all you need to know
The Dominican Republic is a large Caribbean island that has great potential for organizing beautiful kitesurfing stays.
Kitesurfing is done under the trade winds regime from January to August, in different areas of the island that offer diverse practice spots.
Among the most famous spots are Cabarete and Las Terrenas.
High Season
Required level
Best suited for
Budget
Spots
Other activities
Why kitesurfing in Dominican Republic is a good choice ?
At the heart of the Caribbean Sea, the Dominican Republic is a well-known tourist destination for kitesurfers.
While mass tourism is concentrated in the south of the island, it is the North coast that is exposed to the trade winds, around the famous spot of Cabarete.
White sandy beaches and turquoise water just a few hours flight from France (about 8 hours on a direct flight): the Dominican Republic is an accessible kitesurfing destination, suitable for all levels, and ideal for family vacations.
Indeed, the landscapes are magnificent, the non-kitesurfing activities are numerous and the caliente atmosphere sets the tone for both relaxing and entertaining vacations.
Best period and spots to kite in Dominican Republic
The best season for a kite stay in the Dominican Republic is from January to August, with an optimal period between June and August.
In the Dominican Republic, there are several practice spots spread out along its Atlantic coast.
Generally, the further north you go along the coast, the stronger the wind will be. Thus, Las Terrenas will provide less wind than Cabarete. This is a bit unfortunate since there are great bodies of water to be found around Las Terrenas.
Discover the kite spots in Dominican Republic
Cabarete
Las Terrenas
What we love most
Drawbacks
- Cheap compared to the rest of the Caribbean
- Caliente atmosphere
- Mass tourism in high season
- Mosquitoes
- Choppy
Our best advices to travelers
How to get there ?
Travel time: historically, it was easy to connect Paris to Santo Domingo in 9 hours for direct flights (Air France, Corsair, Air Caraïbes). However, since 2023, most airlines like Air France and Corsair have stopped their direct flights. Now, only Air Caraïbes offers direct flights on Wednesdays and Fridays.
However, a minimum of 15 hours is required for Puerto Plata (POP), including a layover. Direct flight: yes
Time difference: UTC-4
Airlines: Air France – XL Airways – United – Lufthansa – Delta
Main airports: Puerto Plata (POP) – Santo Domingo (SDQ) – Punta Cana (PUJ)
Flight price: 500 / 1000€ depending on the season
Formalities
- Mandatory vaccines: None required
- Visa requirements: No visa required for stays up to 30 days for American and British nationals. Tourist card must be purchased on arrival for $10
- Electrical adapter: Type A and B sockets, same as in the US and UK
- Official language: Spanish
- Currency: Dominican Peso (DOP)
Additional tips
The conditions for kiting are good from January to September, and ideal in June-July-August, due to the wind stats and water temperature which allows you to sail in boardshorts.
To rent a car, you can expect to pay around €35 per day. Otherwise, you can manage with moto-taxis and guagua (minibuses) which are very cheap, but always more complicated with kite equipment.
Take what you need to protect yourself from mosquitoes (long sleeves, repellent creams…).
What are the best non kitesurfing activities ?
The Dominican Republic is a great destination for outdoor activities on windless days.
Among the most popular activities are:
- Scuba diving
- Horseback riding on the beach
- Hiking (especially to Limon waterfall)
- Natural parks
- Mountain biking