Would like some info on Cabrera - family with 1 year old

Cabrera is about as laid back as you can get...and beautiful!!If it was anymore laid back, the town would probably fall into a self-induced coma, but i love the place. William Webster--a member on this site lives there (as do many other people) and can probably answer all of your questions.

On a side note, every time i visit Cabrera, i fall into a deep, restful sleep--sometimes slipping into a coma--but i always wake up just in time to make the next curve while i'm driving down the road. Look, the place induces narcolepsy and psychosis...that's a fact. so i always feel very rested and at peace when i pass through the town or spend any amount of time there.

Cabrera is sort like going down into the Rabbit hole in Alice in Wonderland...there are a lot of very eccentric characters--funny, intelligent, unique and different (which i love)--and it seems to be in its own world--not really attached to anything...almost like its own Fantasy island---minus Tattoo and Ricardo Montalban. I like the place...but you'll need good internet to stay in touch with the rest of the world.

Frank

It is quaint

PJT had the pleasure to visit Cabrera last month. It is quaint. Good beaches nearby, Playa Grande, El Breton, and Cabo Frances. However, be mindful if you are used to living with the amenities of the big cities you will have to sacrifice in small town Cabrera.

It you have not been to the location it would be suggested you visit for a few days, at least get a feel for place. The Autopista del Nordeste from Santo Domingo will get you there in a few hours.


Regards,

PJT

cabrera is very peaceful and beautiful. as frank says, so much tranquilo it's like a spa
but why not consider a visit to POP where i could chain you up in my kitchen, making chocolate filled empanadas? it was you, wasn't it? don't try to deny

Here is a little video of the North Coast...Cabrera is at the beginning, at the 34 second mark--the oldest lighthouse in the New World is in Cabrera.

[video=youtube_share;lJZq4D38Dus]http://youtu.be/lJZq4D38Dus[/video]

Cabrera is also in this video at the 8:56 to 9:01 mark.

[video=youtube_share;168Ogm_AgEk]http://youtu.be/168Ogm_AgEk[/video]

Cabrera is a very quaint, oceanfront community that has an "aura" an "ambiance" or something those that I just cannot quite put my finger on. One of the keys to its essence is that it is not either a beachfront town or a tourist town. There are many local beaches, all amazing in their way, so the town has no beach in the town. Tourists do not flock to Cabrera for casinos, all-inclusive hotels, or really for any other typical tourist reason.

These elements of the town make this a much more residential community than most. With the reduction in transient visitors (domestic or foreign) into the town, the culture of the town is more more what a typical middle class town would be elsewhere. Agriculture is the primary income source.

The town has a healthy mix of foreigners. Americans, Britons, Germans, Swiss, Austrians, Canadians, French and more all live within the town or scattered into the surrounding hills. The Cabrer?os enjoy sharing this slice of paradise with others without a qualm. Everyone here seems to really, truly "get along" virtually all of the time. I never see the type of "have/have nots" I seem to see in other towns.

But the best way to find out is just to come and stay for a week. Grab a local Dominican hotel or splurge and get a condo at Hotel La Catalina for the week, meander around, talk to the locals and foreigners. You'll "get it" but I don't know if you can explain it any better than I did.

positives of POP? my chichis are here!

I would highly recommend staying at Hotel Catalina in Cabrera, and then using that place as a homebase to investigate the rest of the area. I love the hotel and stop there for lunch and dessert every time i pass through Cabrera. The owners are American and good people--full of good information about the area. Their Pumpkin/squash soup in their restaurant is the best!

Frank

dv8 said:

cabrera is very peaceful and beautiful. as frank says, so much tranquilo it's like a spa
but why not consider a visit to POP where i could chain you up in my kitchen, making chocolate filled empanadas? it was you, wasn't it? don't try to deny

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She has me chained up to our kitchen, so it would be nice to see her chained up for a change. I think we will head over to POP to meet you as soon as we've bought a decent car. Keep the gas burning on the stove ...

Chennifer said:

Thanks guys, I'll check the videos out too! Yes I'm a bit concerned it might be too quiet...

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One of the sweetest things about Cabrera these days is the location. We are 90 minutes from Las Terrenas, 2 hours from SDQ, and only 60 minutes from Cabarete/Sosua. If I want to go out to let down my hair, visit a 5 star restaurant or just check out the sights in any of these cities I can do so very easily. Then, when I'm tired, I return home to this unspoiled paradise in Cabrera!

Makinater said:

She has me chained up to our kitchen, so it would be nice to see her chained up for a change. I think we will head over to POP to meet you as soon as we've bought a decent car. Keep the gas burning on the stove ...

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you got it, babe

I live here in Cabrera with my husband and our 1 1/2 year old... and we are always excited to hear about other families interested in moving to the town, especially with little ones close in age!! I have another friend here in town with two little boys... one who just turned 1... so I am sure she and her husband would be excited to hear you are looking at this area as well. If you would like to PM me, I would be happy to chat with you about our experience living here. We live right in the town and just love it here. It is truly our home now. My friend with the 2 boys and my husband and I both run small schools here in the town and we have even had a 'mama and baby/toddler' group before for ages 0 -3, so just a couple more things making it a great place for a young family.

If more peaceful than the capital is what you are looking for, Cabrera could certainly be the place for you. It is a small, peaceful town with a very close-knit community.

Anyway, send me a PM and we can chat! I would also be happy to help you in finding an apartment or house to rent here in town.

Look forward to hearing from you soon, Jen!

Most of this video is of the Northeast and Samana Peninsua not specifically the North Coast in terms of POP or Carbrara. You ought to check out Las Terrenas as a place to live. It has a small town feel but with many different nationalities and a large number of business. You can find almost anything you need here. There is also an International school for the kids. With the new highway it is only about 2 hrs to Santo Domingo.

LTSteve