Isla Verde Beach Hotel

meet the locals

by sunshinenow

when i arrived, my friends had already been in town a few days. they'd already made friends. i had ten minutes to get ready. we were being picked up and going to a dominican's house for dinner. sure enough, we went.

he had trained in switzerland as a chef. three of us joined he, three of his friends, and his two daughters for dinner. it was a feast of fish (something bright green i can't remember the name of - but very good), potatos (they're yellow and richer tasting than in the states), carrots and califlour, rice, and a deep-pink-milky looking sauce that i didn't recognize for the fish and rice.

afterwards, our host opened up a bottle of brugal (the rum that comes in a brown bottle with gold netting around it). we drank it on ice and then tried it cubre libre (with coke). then we all walked down to the beach behind his house and talked awhile. it was a lovely evening...except we later found the motive was an attempt to scam on one of our friends.

Windsurfing Capital

by e_crowe

"Windsurfer's Paradise"

Cabarete is a great place to go to catch some wind and do a bit of windsurfing. People come from all over the world to do it. Many of the hotels are directly on the beach and offer equipment rentals and lessons.

If you're not a windsurfer...like myself...worry not. There is plenty to do in town and in the neighboring cities. Booking day trips are also convenient, which is a great alternative.