How can my family join this retreat?

Review the information on the accommodations page, and choose your preferred room (maybe have 2 choices ready)

• Text Betsy at 203-506-4564 to confirm your preferred room is available.

• Send room deposit via Zelle, check, or credit card (4% fee for credit card) to secure your room. This trip is expected to sell out quickly; spots are very limited. Deposit is required to hold your room. There is only one cabana of each type.

• Please see the Payment Policies page for more information and schedules.
  

Is Cabarete, Dominican Republic safe for my family?

🌴 At the hotel:
Natura Cabana is located within a gated expat community with its own 24-hour security and a semi-private beach shared only with local residents. It’s safe to walk within the community, which also has a small brick-oven pizzeria.

🌊 In town:
Cabarete is a tourist-friendly beach town known for its restaurants, shops, and relaxed vibe. Our first visit will be as a group, with a reserved section at Villa Taina Watersports where you can partake in sports, food, and drinks (not included). The craft market is also happening that afternoon, so we can go in small groups.

🏄 Surf beach:
Encuentro Beach is popular with both expat and local families. Expect friendly surfers, smoothie stands, and a casual beach-school atmosphere.

☀️ General safety:
As anywhere, avoid walking alone after dark, but otherwise Cabarete — and especially Natura Cabana — are considered very safe. Each room includes a safe for valuables.

Would you like me to create a matching short “Travel Tips” section next (for things like currency, language, or tipping)? It would round out this set nicely.

How do we get there?

✈️ Flights:
Fly into Puerto Plata (POP) — flights are not included. The direct flight from JFK to POP is recommended (about 3.5 hours, often shorter on the return).
If you fly another route, your final destination is POP.

🚗 Transfers:
Natura Cabana is about 25 minutes from the airport. Roundtrip transfers between POP and Natura Cabana are included on April 11 and April 19.
If your travel days differ, we can help coordinate transportation (additional fees may apply).

✨ Arrival details:
We’ll send detailed arrival instructions and contact information closer to the trip so your arrival feels smooth and easy.

What to Pack

This is a very casual trip: think beachy and relaxed.

🌊 Everyday essentials:
Bring several swimsuits, shorts or skirts, t-shirts, casual dresses, and flip-flops. A light cover-up is useful for walking around the hotel.

☀️ Beach bag for daily outings/pool time.

🐚 Reef-safe sunscreen and soap (available locally as well).

🐚 Evenings:
There’s a DJ at the hotel on Thursday night and live music on both Saturday nights (6–9 pm). Dress is casual, but you’re welcome to dress up a bit for those evenings. People come from all over Cabarete to enjoy the parties. You’ll also want something a little nicer if you decide to go into Puerto Plata for a day or evening (30 mins away).

🌊 Towels:
The hotel provides pool and beach towels for on-site use. For beach days away from the hotel, bring a lightweight microfiber towel. Please don’t take hotel towels off property — they’re expensive to replace.

☀️ Footwear:
Sneakers (ones you don’t mind getting wet) are recommended for hiking, horseback riding, and walking. Closed-toe water shoes are required for surfing, waterfall hikes, and more. Each person should bring a pair, even if you don’t plan to surf.

🌊 Optional gear:
If you prefer your own snorkeling equipment, feel free to bring it. You can snorkel right from the hotel beach, at Cabarete Beach, and on the catamaran trip (gear is provided onboard but may be well-used).

✨ Packing tip:
No need to overpack; you’ll re-wear clothes and can easily find beach and grocery stores nearby if you need anything. Keep it simple! Kids will live in swimsuits and play clothes, usually without shoes.

Travel Tips

✈️ Passports: Valid passport required with at least 6 months before the expiration.

💵 Currency:
The local currency is the Dominican peso (DOP). U.S. dollars are accepted in many places, but it’s helpful to have some pesos for small shops, craft markets, and smoothie stands.

💳 Payments:
Most restaurants and larger businesses accept credit cards. Taxis are cash only, and many smaller purchases require cash. There’s an ATM in town, but it’s wise to bring U.S. cash with you as well.

🗣️ Language:
Spanish is the official language, though English is widely spoken in Cabarete’s restaurants, hotels, and shops. English is fluently spoken at Natura Cabana.

💧 Water:
Drink (and to be safest, brush teeth with) only bottled or filtered water. Filtered water is provided at the hotel and available for purchase everywhere.

💰 Tipping:
Many restaurants include a 10% service charge, but it’s customary to leave a little extra (5–10%) for great service. Tips are appreciated by not required.

📱 Connectivity:
Free Wi-Fi is available at Natura Cabana and in most restaurants and cafés. You can also add an international plan to your cell phone for calls and data while abroad. WhatsApp is the easiest way to communicate locally.

Weather & What to Expect

☀️ Sunshine & warmth:
April in Cabarete brings beautiful tropical weather: warm days, ocean breezes, and lots of sunshine. Expect daytime temperatures around 85°F (29°C) and evenings in the low 70s (22°C).

🌴 Humidity & rain:
It’s generally dry this time of year, but brief tropical showers can pass through; often refreshing and short-lived. A light rain jacket or quick-dry cover-up is plenty, or just let any rain cool you off!

🌊 Ocean & surf:
The Caribbean waters are warm, typically in the low 80s (27°C), ideal for swimming, surfing, snorkeling, and surfing.

🕶️ What to expect overall:
You’ll spend much of your time outdoors and barefoot, relaxing, exploring, and connecting with nature. Evenings are casual and comfortable, with music and ocean air all around.

🏄‍♀️ Surfing

We are partnering with Cabarete legend Chepe and his team at Pauhana Surf for our surf experiences.

🚐 Getting there:
Chepe’s crew will pick us up at Natura Cabana, take us to Encuentro Beach (about 8 minutes away), and bring us back after the lesson.

🌊 Lessons:
Surfing is optional and not included in the retreat cost. Participants can choose how many lessons to book and on which days.

• Cost: $50 per lesson

• Duration: ~90 minutes

• Instruction: In English, for both kids and adults

• Gear: Boards available for rent; water shoes required

📸 Extras:
Photos and videos are included for each participant, and non-surfers are welcome to come along, relax, take pictures, and enjoy the beachside smoothie shops.

🐋 Fun fact:
April is whale season in the Dominican Republic — you may spot humpback whales breeching just offshore at Encuentro Beach!

💦 Betsy surfed with Pauhana in October — the water is clear, warm, and easy to surf, perfect for all levels.