TOURISM IS STRONG, BUT CABARETE HAS ITS OWN STORY
The Dominican Republic closed 2025 with approximately 11.6 million visitors, making it another record year for the country’s tourism industry.
That is an important signal for the Dominican Republic as a whole.
But it does not mean every tourism market in the country performed the same way.
Punta Cana continues to handle the majority of international air arrivals, while Puerto Plata — the airport serving Cabarete and the North Coast — represents a much smaller share.
Puerto Plata’s air arrivals also softened during part of 2025, even while national tourism totals continued to rise.
That does not mean Cabarete is underperforming.
It means the North Coast operates differently.
Cabarete attracts a more specialized type of visitor: kiteboarders, surfers, repeat travelers, longer-stay guests, second-home owners, and an established international community drawn to a more authentic connection with the Dominican Republic. Many are looking for a place that feels more local, familiar, and culturally integrated — less like a highly structured resort destination and more like a real town where international residents can become part of the community.
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR BUYERS
The national tourism story is positive, but rental projections should still be based on:
- The exact location of the property
- Seasonality
- Property management
- Nightly rates
- Historical occupancy, where available
- Competition from nearby inventory
- The type of traveler the property is designed to attract
A strong property in the right location can perform well without Cabarete needing to behave like Punta Cana.
WHAT DOES PROPERTY IN CABARETE ACTUALLY COST?
One of the biggest challenges when discussing Cabarete property prices is that the market does not have the same level of public transaction transparency found in North American MLS-driven markets.
That means asking prices are easy to see.
Actual closing prices are much harder to verify publicly.
With that caveat, the current market has a few noticeable bands.
UNDER $200,000
Inventory exists, but options close to the beach are limited.
At this price, buyers are more likely to find:
- Smaller condos
- Older buildings
- Properties farther from the water
- Units requiring renovation
- Smaller pre-construction opportunities
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$200,000–$500,000
This is one of the broadest and most competitive parts of the market.
Buyers can find:
- Modern 1–3 bedroom condos
- Nueva construcción
- Beach-access properties
- Smaller villas
- Investment-oriented units
- Properties in Kite Beach, Downtown, Encuentro, and surrounding communities
For many international buyers, this range offers the most flexibility.
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$500,000–$750,000
The market becomes more selective.
Inventory often includes:
- Larger beachfront condos
- Higher-end villas
- New luxury developments
- Larger units with better views
- Properties in premium communities
$750,000+
At the top of the market, inventory is much thinner and pricing varies considerably based on land, beachfront position, architecture, finishes, views, and community.
This segment generally requires more patience and a much more property-specific comparison.
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EXPLORE CURRENT CABARETE LISTINGS
CONFOTUR CAN MAKE A REAL DIFFERENCE
One of the most relevant incentives for real estate buyers in the Dominican Republic is CONFOTUR.
Under Law 158-01, qualifying tourism projects can receive significant tax incentives.
For buyers, the most important potential benefits include:
- Exemption from the Impuesto sobre la transferencia de propiedades 3%
- Exemption from the 1% annual IPI property tax for the applicable incentive period
These savings can be meaningful, particularly on higher-value properties.
But there is an important distinction:
CONFOTUR does not apply automatically to every property in Cabarete.
Approval is granted to specific developments and projects.
If a property is being marketed with CONFOTUR benefits, buyers should confirm that the specific unit and project are covered before including those savings in their financial calculations.
WHAT TO ASK BEFORE BUYING
Ask for:
- The CONFOTUR approval or resolution
- Confirmation that the specific unit qualifies
- The applicable exemption period
- Written verification from your attorney
EXPLORE CONFOTUR PROPERTIES
INFRASTRUCTURE COULD RESHAPE THE NORTH COAST
Two projects are especially relevant to the long-term Cabarete real estate outlook.
Autopista del Ámbar
The proposed Autopista del Ámbar is designed to improve the connection between Santiago and Puerto Plata.
The project has been awarded and is expected to significantly reduce travel time between the Cibao region and the North Coast once completed.
For Cabarete, better access from Santiago could eventually mean:
- Easier domestic travel
- Stronger weekend traffic
- Better connectivity for owners and visitors
- More attention on the North Coast
The important point is timing.
This is a long-term infrastructure story, not something buyers should treat as an immediate benefit when valuing a property today.
Punta Bergantín
Punta Bergantín is another major development to watch.
Located west of Cabarete, the state-backed tourism project is expected to include hotels, residential development, entertainment, and significant new tourism infrastructure.
Major international hotel brands have already been connected to the project.
For the North Coast, this could mean:
- More international visibility
- Additional airlift over time
- More tourism investment
- Increased demand for services
- More residential and hospitality inventory
That final point matters.
More investment can increase demand, but it also creates more competition.
For Cabarete, the long-term effect will depend on how successfully the town maintains the lifestyle and identity that make it distinct.
Strong infrastructure can improve a market. It does not automatically make every property a good investment.
REASONS YOU MIGHT WANT TO WAIT
Not every buyer needs to rush into the market.
There are legitimate reasons to take more time.
Limited Public Transaction Data
Cabarete does not offer buyers the same transparent public comparable-sales data available in some international markets.
That makes local expertise and property-level comparisons more important.
Luxury Inventory Can Be Difficult to Price
Above roughly $750,000, properties become increasingly unique.
Comparing a beachfront villa, an ocean-view estate, and a luxury penthouse by price per square meter alone can be misleading.
Infrastructure Benefits Are Still Future-Facing
The Autopista del Ámbar and Punta Bergantín are important, but neither should be treated as guaranteed short-term appreciation.
Pre-Construction Requires Due Diligence
New construction can offer attractive pricing and payment structures, but buyers should evaluate:
- Developer history
- Construction progress
- Delivery timeline
- Escrow structure
- Contract terms
- Penalties and protections
- CONFOTUR status
Rental Income Is Property-Specific
Buying in a tourism destination does not guarantee a specific return.
Rental performance depends heavily on location, management, unit quality, amenities, pricing strategy, and seasonality.
WHO DOES 2026 MAKE SENSE FOR?
For some buyers, 2026 presents a very reasonable opportunity.
2026 May Make Sense If You:
- Plan to hold the property for several years
- Are buying partly for lifestyle
- Want access to Cabarete’s beach and watersports culture
- Are shopping in the $200K–$500K range
- Are comfortable comparing individual properties rather than relying on market averages
- See the North Coast as a long-term growth story
- Want to take advantage of qualified CONFOTUR projects
You May Want to Be More Cautious If You:
- Need to resell within 12–18 months
- Are relying on aggressive appreciation assumptions
- Need a guaranteed rental yield
- Are buying at the very top of the luxury market without strong comparable properties
- Are relying heavily on infrastructure projects that are not yet completed
SO, IS 2026 A GOOD TIME TO BUY IN CABARETE?
For the right buyer, yes.
But the reason is not simply that tourism is breaking records or that new infrastructure is coming.
The stronger case is more specific:
Cabarete still offers a relatively small coastal market with international demand, active development, established lifestyle appeal, and a wide range of inventory in the mid-market segment.
For buyers planning to hold long term and choosing strong locations, 2026 can make sense.
For short-term speculation, the case is less clear.
The best decision starts with the property itself.
What are you buying? Where is it? How is it priced? How will you use it? And how long do you plan to own it?
Those questions matter more than the year on the calendar.
Preguntas frecuentes
Is 2026 a good time to buy property in Cabarete?
It can be, particularly for buyers with a multi-year ownership horizon. The strongest opportunities tend to be property-specific rather than based on trying to perfectly time the market.
¿Pueden los extranjeros comprar propiedades en la República Dominicana?
Yes. Foreign buyers can own property in the Dominican Republic without being residents or citizens.
Does every property in Cabarete qualify for CONFOTUR?
No. CONFOTUR benefits apply only to qualifying projects that have received the appropriate approval. Buyers should verify the specific development and unit with their attorney.
Is Cabarete a good market for rental properties?
Cabarete has established tourism and long-stay demand, but rental performance varies significantly by neighborhood, unit quality, amenities, management, and season.
Is Cabarete cheaper than Punta Cana?
The markets are difficult to compare directly because they serve different types of buyers and offer different inventory. Cabarete is smaller and more lifestyle-driven, while Punta Cana operates at a much larger tourism and development scale.
THINKING ABOUT BUYING IN CABARETE?
Tell us what you’re looking for — budget, location, lifestyle, rental goals, or preferred property type — and the Equipo de Cabarete Properties can help you compare the options that actually make sense.
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