I am looking into a trip to Cabarete with my husband the end of January (we fly into puerta plata). How far is Cabarete from the airport? Since it looks like you need to eat off premises mainly, is it safe to walk around the town? Also, is the beach too windy to sit out at?
Has anyone stayed at Velero Beach hotel? From what i've seen and read it looks great. thanks!

Cabarete is about 25 minutes drive from the airport. I think you should be fine during the day, but Velero is not too far from the center, you will be fine. We lived closed to the hotel there for 2 years and I was walking my dogs on the beach close to the hotel. I haven't stayed there, but looks really really nice, and people were happy with the rooms and service. You will have a great choice of the restaurants on the beach and in town (love the food there!!!) You can sit outside, during the day will be still hot, at night I would suggest a light jacket or a sweater.
Have a great stay, you will love it.
Denise

You can see a virtual tour of Cabarete beach on http://vtbyt.com/cabarete/coastal_line/00.html
Have a nice trip

Many restaurants on the beach and also a few restaurants around Velero. Highly recommend Otra Cosa (across the street; French/Caribbean cuisine); it's by far the best restaurant in Cabarete (pricey). Also Toma la Luna has an entrance from Velero (French/Italian). Velero has a restaurant too. I ate there a couple of times. It's okay, but much better choices elsewhere.

It's very safe to walk around town. Yet, you have to take precautions like you'll do anywhere else. There's so petty theft but it's rare. No flashy expensive jewelry, and don't carry too much money on you (use the hotel safe). To go to the beach restaurants at night, you can walk safely on the beach (about 5 minute walk). As a safety precaution, I just walk close to the ocean, not to the palm trees.

Hope you have a great time in Cabarete.

Hi, I wrote a review recently on Velero and thought I would share it and hope it is useful.

I stayed for a week last week during "hurricane season" but we had perfect weather for the entire stay. It was quiet, as it is the low season, meaning we had the resort to ourselves and all the wonderful care of the employees- who are Dominicans who attend to your every need in a truly caring, attentive, warm, respectful and friendly way, while being very professional- very different from the US. The rooms were clean, charming, comfortable, although simple with all the amenities I needed- kitchen, cable TV, wireless internet. The price was very reasonable. Usually I think of the DR as all-inclusive resorts but this was a refreshing alternative to that type of stay. Security was great- I never thought twice about leaving my ipod out for hours on the property - the guards will help you, watch you, I felt like I was a child again being taken care of and watched over. The property was prestine, natural, extremely well maintained. Units have beautiful views- I just kept saying in any direction I looked- that is beautiful, and that is beautiful.. over and over. The food at Velero was good. but what I liked is leaving the property and finding local dominican restaurants with great food, great locals to talk to, and unbelievably inexpensive prices ($3 , $4 a meal). Because it is on the Atlantic you have surf! body surfing, sailing, windsurfing, surfing.. and kite surfing for the adventurous- combo of snowboarding, sailing, trapeze, surfing.. The craziest sport I have ever seen. The town is very cute- lots of shops. At nite the restaurants on the beach pulled out tables w/ very beautiful lighting- it was a magical scene with food ranging from local to italian, Japanese, Irish, All American. (but I still like the local restaurants the best!). A combination of cultural experience, beauty, new cuisine, relaxation, pampering, and great music and dancing at nite for those who like to stay up late. Velero is on the point of Cabarete bay and has the best view and location in the area. Hope you get a chance to experience this- it is unmatchable.