Cabarete
for Mountain Adventure!
Cabarete
is the ideal base to get adventurous and explore the mountains
of the Dominican Republic. Cabarete is positioned between
the Atlantic Ocean, and the Cordillera Septentrional, the
mountain range that extends from near the border with Haiti
to the east of the island of Hispaniola.
Canyoning
is an excellent way to explore these mountains. As the name
suggests, canyoning involves exploring the canyons and ravines
of the mountains, and can include a mixture of climbing,
abseiling, and swimming – prepare to get wet! There
are plenty of centres offering canyoning excursions from
Cabarete, which is, as mentioned, within easy reach of the
northern mountains. Guides will provide the appropriate
safety gear of harnesses, ropes and helmets; and most importantly,
tuition – but it’s up to you to bring appropriate
footwear. If you don’t own a pair of mountain boots,
training shoes will suffice – just don’t attempt
this activity in your sandals!
Cascading
is a close and crazy relative of canyoning, and basically
involves a lot of downward motion – a lot of jumping
down ravines into the water. Again, there are plenty of
opportunities to sign up for this exhilarating (but wet!)
adventure in Cabarete.
The
Cordillera Septentrional offers a variety of top class mountain
biking trails, with routes for those of all abilities. From
the expert to the novice, you’ll be able to find a
trail to suit you. Good quality mountain bikes and safety
gear can be hired in Cabarete, and there are several places
that can offer a guided excursion around the mountains.
However, it’s best to keep bike riding for the off
road trails, as it is inadvisable to go cycling on the roads
of the Dominican Republic.
If you’re
looking to explore the hills and mountains around Cabarete
whilst expending a little less effort, and at perhaps a
more leisurely pace, try a horse riding excursion. There
are several ranches close to Cabarete who offer a variety
of horse riding trips; into the mountains for the experienced
and adventurous rider, or perhaps along the beach for a
relaxing little trot. Again, all necessary equipment can
be provided on ranch – just ensure you have some sturdy
footwear.
There
are flights available from across the US and Canada to the
Puerta Plata International Airport, just 20 minutes from
Cabarete. I found my airline
tickets on cheapflights.com, and my British buddy found
cheap flights on cheapflights.co.uk.
