Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
and instructors vary considerably in personality, so spend some time finding one where
you feel comfortable.
Surfing
According to many, the very first person to surf in the Dominican Republic was an Amer-
ican Army colonel, part of the US occupying force in Santo Domingo in 1965. Before
leaving he sold his board to locals and the sport grew steadily from there. Until the late
1970s, specifically October 31, 1979, when hurricane Daniel struck the southern coast, the
waves around Playa Guibia on Santo Domingo's Malecón were some of the best in the
country. The exact explanation of the storm's impact is unclear. What is known, Sosua ex-
perienced its first tourism boom when surfers began flocking to nearby beach breaks soon
after.
The north coast, especially Cabarete's Playa Encuentro, has grown into the capital of
surfing in the DR. Of course, with nearly 800 miles of coastline, there's nary a region
where adventurous surf gypsies can't find gnarly sets. In addition to the specific breaks
listed here, the independent-minded can explore waves in Rio San Juan, Playa Grande,
Playa La Preciosa, Cabrera and Nagua along the north coast; Playa Coson and Playa Bon-
ita near Las Terrenas on the Península de Samaná and Punta Cana and Macao in the east.
The best season is December through March, when waves can get up to 4m high.
There are a number of surf shops in Cabarete, Playa Encuentro and Las Terrenas where
you can rent boards or take surfing lessons. Rentals cost US$25 to US$30 for half a day;
courses vary from three-hour introductory sessions (US$45 to US$50) to a full-blown
five-day surf camp (US$200 to US$225 per person). Surfboards can be rented at a handful
of other beaches including Playa Grande.
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La Borja
Near Santo Domingo's Las Americas airport and large shipping terminal at Boca Chica. A right,
reef break with long lines; not for beginners.
»
Pato
West of Santo Domingo near the town of Nizao. A long, left break near a river mouth good for be-
ginners.
»
Tankline & La Puntillo
Class A breaks, the former a right and the latter a left, both in front of Puerto
Plata's fortress along the Malecón. Best time is November to March.
»
Playa Encuentro
This, the epicenter of Dominican surf culture, is just 4km west of Cabarete with five
separate breaks.
