MOVING TO CABARETE?

MAKING CABARETE HOME COST OF LIVING REAL ESTATE GROCERY SHOPPING & EATING OUT HEALTH CARE

INSURANCE & LEGAL NEEDS

FRAN AFONSO

PHOTO More people from all over the world are calling this beautiful country home. Since the early 1990’s, the population of Cabarete has tripled, growing from a small beach town with just a few hundred people to a thriving beachside community with thousands of residents and tens of thousands of visitors every year.

Whether you’re a snow bird or planning to make Cabarete your permanent home, here are some important things and pro-tips for making the move.

PHOTO JIANCA LAZARUS LOCATION MILLENNIUM RESORT & SPA

Making Cabarete Home

One of the things that makes Cabarete a great place to live is the diversity. In this little town, you’ll make friends with people from all walks of life from all over the world! The town has developed rapidly over the past 20 years and there’s a wide variety of housing, food and activity options available for all income levels. Whether you’re living a life of luxury or balling on a budget, making Cabarete your home is affordable for anyone. From economical shared living spaces to apartment complexes with all the amenities, small quaint homes to sprawling estates, Cabarete is for everyone!

General Safety - Cabarete is a small, friendly town, but as with any place, it’s important to keep your wits about you as you would in New York City. In general, be aware of your surroundings and stay in well light, populated areas after dark. Everything is pretty casual here so be mindful about flaunting expensive items or drawing attention with large amounts of cash.

The road is by far the most dangerous thing in the Dominican Republic. Always use extreme caution when crossing the street and look both ways several times before you step out. Many of the traffic signals are newer and not always strictly obeyed. Follow the rules of the road, but also be observant of other drivers and pedestrians! Traveling in the Dominican Republic - From beautiful beaches to scenic mountains, bustling cities, five star resorts and incredible natural wonders, there’s so much to experience in the Dominican Republic. If seeing more of the country is something you would like to do, heading out on a road trip is an epic way to explore your surroundings.

Renting a car is easy and affordable and can usually be done on short notice. Driving can definitely be an adventure all in itself, so if you’d prefer to leave it to the professionals, hiring a driver is highly recommended. For all of our road travel needs, we go with JoJim Tours, a trusted local family owned and operated business that’s been shuffling around the children at The Mariposa DR Foundation for years.

Heading to the big city for a bit? Caribe Tours or Metro Bus departs several times daily from their stations in Sosua. The coach buses have all of the amenities for a comfortable ride but definitely bring a sweater as air conditioned Caribe Tours or Metro buses are known to be one of the coldest places on the island.

PHOTO JIANCA LAZARUS LOCATION SOSUA BAY

Cost of Living - Depending on your preferences, your dollars can go a long way here in Cabarete. You will be able to afford many of the luxuries you might not be able to in your home country. Things like regular childcare, home help, eldercare, and personal care services can easily become a part of your regular lifestyle. Fresh food, transportation and entertainment are extremely reasonably priced.

DOÑA LUZ, ALWAYS AT HER FRONT DOOR WITH A SMILE. PHOTO FRAN AFONSO

PHOTO AMY S. MARTIN LOCATION BLISS RESTAURANT

Grocery Shopping & Eating Out

You can find pretty much anything you would at home in Cabarete. From fresh produce stands to dry goods to meat, dairy and seafood, pretty much everything is available either locally or imported from all over Europe and the United States.

Between the produce trucks and fruit stands, local colmados and the two main supermarkets in Cabarete, Janet’s and La Rosa, your needs should be covered. If you’re looking for a specialty item, head just 15 minutes west to the neighboring town of Sosua where you’ll find some larger stores with an even greater selection.

One of the best parts about living in Cabarete is

the food! In this little town there are more than 50 different restaurants serving up globally inspired cuisine. From fine dining to fast casual and bar food to local specialties, you will never get bored of the food options in town. You may also find that eating out is much more affordable than it is in your home country. Frequenting your favorite local restaurants is one of the best things you can do to keep the Cabarete economy thriving!

ALEJITO, A CABARETE ORIGINAL. PHOTO FRAN AFONSO

Fitness & Recreation

Of course Cabarete is a water sports lover’s dream. However, if being on a board out on the water isn’t your thing, there are endless ways to keep your body moving while visiting or living in Cabarete.

Cabarete has a number of gyms and fitness studios offering every kind of fitness class you can imagine. Yoga, tennis, dance, boxing, martial arts, spinning, weight lifting, functional training and more. There are also a number of fitness professionals in town that offer private studio or in-home services. However you like to get moving, you’ll have plenty of options here. Of course, there’s always a swim or a long walk on the beach. Can’t beat that.

PHOTOS AMY S. MARTIN

Health Care

Whether you are traveling back and forth or making Cabarete your permanent home base, knowing where to get care is extremely important! The closest full service hospital is Centro Medico Cabarete (CMC) which is about a 10 minute drive west of downtown, just before the town of Sosua. This modern facility with multilingual doctors and staff are well equipped to handle most of your primary care and emergency needs.

If you have US health insurance, most things will be covered through submitting a claim. Dominican health plans are also extremely affordable. Although most out of pocket costs are extremely lower than they may be in your home country, it is still recommended for nationals of other countries to have a travel insurance plan to cover any medical needs that may arise in the country.

Child & Elder Care

Kindness and care are deeply embedded in Dominican Culture. This is one of the best countries to raise small children or to bring your older relatives who need inhome care. From a young age, Dominican girls are often called upon to be the main caregivers in their families. Many grow up in multigenerational homes, taking care of younger siblings and aging relatives and bring this same attentiveness and loving energy to their work. Full time care positions are highly sought after jobs and hiring help at a fair wage is likely way more affordable than your home country.

Welcome to our Beach!

CONDOS FOR RENT | RENTAL HOUSES

Unit B1

Unit A5 Unit C3

Unit A4 Visit our website. Here you can find out everything about our prices and open dates.

Make a reservation by E-Mail or use the form on our Website.

PHONE: +1 (849) 876 4533 The Cabarete Beach Houses Select of Nanny Estates are an insider tip for all water sports enthusiasts. Kitesurfers will hardly find a more suitable location for their sport in Cabarete. You can set up your kite in their meadow and start immediately. Of course, every guest has his own free storage. But the Cabarete Beach Houses offer much more. The facility is designed in such a way that you can relax perfectly. The gardens and the breathtaking view of the Atlantic Ocean are also unique. www.cabarete.de

PHOTO AMY S. MARTIN

Insurance & Legal Needs

Buying a home or a car? Starting a business?

Navigating the process in a different country can be overwhelming. There are some great local professionals to turn to for all of your insurance and legal needs. We recommend Gratereaux Delva & Associates, Guzmán Ariza and Guido Perdomo to assist you with your affairs. For home, car or business insurance, contact Angie Wolff at Seguros Universal.

Buying Real Estate

Ready to invest?

There is no MLS (multiple listing service) in the Dominican Republic so to find what you’re looking for, the options are to look online, become familiar with an area on your own, or choose a professional, knowledgeable real estate agent to expertly guide you through the entire process of finding your dream home.

PHOTO MARTÍN PENNER PHOTO AMY S. MARTIN

PHOTO FRAN AFONSO

PHOTO AMY S. MARTIN

Education

Planning to relocate with your family?

There are some wonderful options if you have school aged kids. For elementary school, our top pick is 3 Mariposas Montessori. Founded by US educator and longtime Cabarete resident, Sarah Ludwig-Ross, 3MM has a brand new, gorgeous indoor/outdoor campus that serves children ranging from infancy to 12 years old. The International School of Sosua and ISLA Academy offer international, student-centered education for pre-k through high school.

PHOTO SEBASTIANO MASSIMINO

PHOTO JIANCA LAZARUS Cell phones and Internet access - Whether you’re working remotely or just need to stay in touch, technology and wifi access are widely available. Most restaurants and businesses have free internet and it’s easy to get your residence set up with a high speed connection.

If your residence already has internet access, but you want your own network or to be able to connect on the go, mobile hotspots are easy to purchase. Stop into Altice in the Ocean Dream Plaza for all of your wireless communication needs.

If you’re looking for fiber optics in your home in Cabarete, Cable Del Norte is the place to go.

Get on WhatsApp - WhatsApp is a messaging app that uses the internet to send text or audio messages and make phone or video calls. It’s attached to your phone number and much cheaper than traditional phone plans that include text messages. Communicating through WhatsApp is the norm in the Dominican Republic and the majority of individuals and businesses handle most communications using this platform.

From making appointments to ordering takeout from a local restaurant, you’ll likely find that WhatsApp is the best way to get in touch! The best part - you don’t need a local Dominican phone number to use it and it works all over the world!

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Retirement

In the past decade, the retiree community in Cabarete has grown exponentially, making this town a wonderful place to spend your golden years. Many people are on a fixed income and the lower cost of living affords many a more comfortable retirement than in their home country. Aside from the obvious benefit of living so close to the beach, Cabarete offers an active and engaging social life, tons of ways to stay physically active and many volunteer opportunities for retired professionals to put their invaluable skill sets to good use.

Meet Sherry Herdman

Longtime Mariposa Volunteer

Sherry is a retired nurse practitioner, originally from upstate New York, who now spends most of the year at her home here in Cabarete. Sherry’s volunteer work at Mariposa for the past ten years has been a true gift. She has been instrumental in founding our successful sewing program, mentoring several girls to create income for themselves as well as supporting them in pursuing higher education. Sherry has generously donated so much of her time and talent to Mariposa that she’s affectionately known as our fairy godmother!

PHOTO AMY S. MARTIN PHOTO FRAN AFONSO

“I am old enough to have experienced gender discrimination in school and in the work place. As a result I have become a strong believer in women’s rights. Working with the Mariposa girls inspires me and makes me want to do more to make a difference. Collaborating with the leaders of Mariposa is inspiring, invigorating, and emotionally rewarding.” - Sherry Herdman

PHOTO FRAN AFONSO Bringing your pet overseas can be a difficult, costly process depending on the animal. However, leaving your furry friend behind while moving to the Dominican Republic can be hard for many families to imagine. With careful planning, veterinary care and consultation, and frequent monitoring of guidelines (outlined by the US CDC), it is possible. It is highly recommended to thoroughly research both travel to AND from the Dominican Republic, because returning a pet back to your home country can be equally, if not more challenging than entrance into the country.

Once your pet safely arrives on the North Coast, there are various veterinarians that are qualified to continue recommended care. Several of the local offices carry quality pet food and products that you may be looking for. Online networking platforms are a great way to learn about the local resources to ensure a safe, successful experience for your pet.

Shipping

Whether it’s shipping your belongings, a container for your business ordering a few things off of speedy online delivery services, shipping to and from the Dominican Republic can be confusing and costly.

Timeless Studios, CPS and EPS are two trusted companies that can help streamline the process.

PHOTO SEBASTIANO MASSIMINO

“If we keep producing and failing to properly dispose of plastics at predicted rates, plastics in the ocean will outweigh fish

pound for pound in 2050.” - World Economic Forum

If we do nothing else, reducing the use of disposable plastics is the single most important thing we can individually do to combat climate change.

People across the globe are using 20 times more plastic in the past 50 years. In fact, by 2050, it’s estimated that if we stay on this same path, we’ll be making triple the amount of plastic stuff as we did just ten years ago!

The problem is that plastics are forever here to stay and about a third of it ends up floating in the ocean or in the stomachs of birds and other sea creatures. That’s about 8 million tons of plastic per year or five bags of plastic for every foot of coastline in the entire world.

This is a problem that none of us can afford to ignore. Here are some simple steps we all can take to do our part in keeping plastic out of our oceans. It’s the seemingly small, every day decisions that make a huge impact! • Say no to plastic straws. Order your drinks “sin sorbete” and sip directly from the glass.

• Fill a reusable water bottle to take on the go.

If you can avoid using 1-2 water bottles a day, imagine how that adds up!

• Think twice before you grab that plastic bottle

of soda. Perhaps there’s a drink in a glass bottle or paper carton that would be just as refreshing.

• Picking up food to go? Bring your own

tupperware! Many restaurants in town would be happy to box up your order in a reusable container. You will definitely see this in practice when picking up sushi at Yamazato in Ocean

Dream Plaza.

• Notice the restaurants committing to sustainable materials and give them your

business! Many establishments are choosing to spend a bit more money on eco-friendly disposables to help protect the environment.

Cabarete Coffee Company, Gorditos Fresh Mex,

Natura Cabana, Fresh Fresh, The Beach Club at

Sea Horse Ranch, Bliss and Blue Moon are a few of our favorites on the list.

PHOTO CIOLKO ARTS ECO-BRICK BUILDING AT THE MARIPOSA DR FOUNDATION

Eco-bricks are made by filling plastic bottles with thin single-use plastic materials like plastic bags, chip bags, wrappers, etc. and densely stuffed to form a singular object as hard and dense as a brick.

Plastic is a material that never decomposes. It’s critical that we find ways to repurpose this material in constructive ways. Ten years ago, the team at The Mariposa DR Foundation worked with a group of volunteers from Lawrence Academy (Groton, MA) to construct a prototype.

Once again The Mariposa DR Foundation is at the forefront of environmental awareness and change in our community. With our eco-brick project, we have, with the help of our community, prevented over 4,000 pounds of plastic and trash entering the sea!

More than 9 years ago we worked together with volunteers on a proto-type sustainable construction project with eco-bricks at a local preschool. We are now taking this project full circle as the Mariposa girls motivate our community members by teaching them about this amazing, local resource. And we’re cleaning up the environment at the same time!

PHOTO AMY S. MARTIN

Our environmental activism group led workshops about how to create eco-bricks (stuffing trash into 16oz plastic bottles) and how we plan to use them in building at the Mariposa Center for Girls. To motivate community members to get involved, the Foundation offered 25 pesos per bottle for those that passed quality control tests.

Community members from all walks of life with a driving spirit of entrepreneurship came with their eco-bricks. We were overwhelmed with the incredible response and it is safe to say that this has been the most massive single-use plastic clean up in the neighborhoods of Cabarete ever! (Possibly the entire island!) We surpassed our original budget and goal of 2,000 bottles and ended up receiving over 4,000 bottles total.

With the completed eco-brick bottles we first created a bench prototype using about 500 bottles. With the rest of the ecobricks we began the the construction of a music/art space at the Center.

PHOTO JIANCA LAZARUS