Punta Cana vs Cabarete (1st visit to DR)

I dont know much about the hotels in particular.

But about Cabarete and Punta Cana, Im sure no matter what place you pick, you will have a blast.

Punta Cana is more AI-oriented than Cabarete (although Cabarete has some AI hotels too) The beaches are nicer in Punta Cana too (not to say they are ugly in Cabarete)

Cabarete is the perfect place if you wanna do watersports (kitesurfing, windsurfing, wave surfing) and has a good nightlife too, but dont expect any big clubs; they are more like dancing bars right on the beach (all next to eachother) The restaurants are pretty good in Cabarete too

In Cabarete you are more likely to meet Dominicans (outside of the ones working in your hotel). With just English you will be fine in both places.

You can do golfing in both places, but I think it might be better in Punta Cana (i've never golfed)

Oh and by the way, most condo's have a pool too

I'll go with most of what princess has said.
A lot has to do with your wallets. YOu can have a lot of fun, more activities on less money in Cabarete than in Punta Cana. Golf is cheaper (both Playa Grande and Playa Dorada are less expensive than any of the course in Punta Cana) and there are a lot more singles on the North Shore. Plus, there are more places to go. You can go to Puerto Plata in 30 minutes, Sosua in 15 minutes or less, or east to Gaspar Hern?ndez. Each place is different...

For five hectic days, I'd go North, young men, go North...

HB

i second Hillbilly, go north lads! you will DEFINATELY have more fun up there than in Punta Cana [no offense to anyone here]. As a matter of fact, your group and what you are looking for sounds like a perfect fit for the beaches of the north. have a look

Cabarete Hotels, Hotel list of Cabarete

lots of good places to stay here, if you want get yourselves a big enough suite and or just rent a big apartment for the week and have a blast! this is a no brainer, some of these places do have pools
where are you guys coming from? if you fly into Santiago you can all cab it to the north, or just fly into Puerto Plata [POP] and some of these places have airport transfers that can come get you. good luck!

I have been to both places, and love them both, but I think for young men, Cabarette is the best. I am going back for a month in 2009

If a couple of you don't mind sharing a room, you could rent a three bedroom apartment which would be a lot cheaper than going to an all inclusive resort and in my opinion, (biased obviously!) is that being outside of an AI is much more interesting & fun!

For example, my apartment in Cabarete (as advertised on DR1) split between five people would leave a lot of cash to spend at the bars and restaurants... And it's got a pool!

Royal Residence Cabarete
Cabarete

i am on the east,
but in your case with single guys i would point you towards the northshore,
you have more nightlife activities there nearby as singles, the better surfing/kiting anyways.
you mentioned that Golfing is a main point,
you have to make your decision 'how important that is compared to the other points', the 7 present golf courses in PC are outstanding, golfing here compares to world top classes, but it depends how important one point over an other is over all for your crowd of guys.
here on DR1 we have a great Golfing section, use the search function on top of the page, Robert has a ranking/rating list of the golf courses all around the island.

in case of single women on nighttime:
they are all single during nighttime,
even most are not on their 'time off' during nighttime, ha ha

for a bunch of single guys looking for the caribbean fun,
take the north shore,
join in the north coast/living/aso section of this bord,
you will soon run in guys like Rocky aso,
they will point you to the "way of life" for 5 days.
have a blast
Mike

In Cabarete some recommendations... all on the beach side of the road, and within walking distance of nightlife. Some accomodations are oceanview, others you can't see the beach but you're 'right there'.

My advice for a group of guys - go for a condo or two. You can find them in 2, 3, & 4 bedroom units & typically for same per person price as a lower quality room in a hotel. You can fix sandwiches during the day & eat out at the many restaurants. Some very nice ones in Ocean Dream, Ocean One, and Harmony. Check vrbo.com for condo rentals.

Below are your choices unless I forgot something on the bay, east to west... all nice places to stay in their own way for their price points.

Google for their websites & if you have specific questions, ask away. I put in bold the ones I'd check first.

east point of the bay
El Magnifico - condos
Velero resort - condos. great view of the bay, nice units, but have a hotel feel to me in terms of room size as opposed to the newer condos a little further west on the bay.

WINDSURF LAUNCH AREA OF THE BAY
Sans Souci - pretty nice & not very expensive. not all units with a/c
Tropical Casa Laguna Beach Club - Older all inclusive (Casa Laguna is across the road, Beach club is on the beach)
Palm Beach Condos - older but nice 2 bedroom condos
Villa Taina - hotel, 'beachfront' rooms are newest

KITING LAUNCH AREA ON THE BAY
Ocean One - high end luxury condos
Harmony - high end luxury condos
Ocean Dream - high end luxury condos
Olas de Oro - villas/condos
Viva Wyndham - probably nicest All Inclusive in town
Nanny Estates - condos
(west point of the bay)

There are other nice places... Cabarete East, Victorian, Ocean Point... but further out and you wouldn't want to walk to town at night for sure, possibly not even during the day... it's a fair distance on foot.

Again, any questions I or someone else will be able to give you an idea & steer you pretty reasonably in the right direction.

if you want guest friendly, try the hotel alegria on the beach in cabarete....

Punta Cana is nice, but you will be stuck in your AI Hotel, unless you take tour. In Cabarete your in the city, you'll have way more fun there.

Neither Velero nor Ocean Dream would be considered extremely guest friendly. Ocean Dream in particular has a lot of full time residents, many with kids. If you & your visitors are discrete & respectful of your neighbors, you shouldn't have a problem.

If you're looking to be loud & boisterous or hang out with your working girl at the pool all day, neither place will be especially welcoming. Perhaps Sosua is more your type of place if you're looking to party with your chicas all day/night.

check vrbo.com also
some ocean dream, ocean one, and other nice condos listed there.

if question about exact location of a condo vs center of town, safety, quality whatever just ask

KeithF said:

If a couple of you don't mind sharing a room, you could rent a three bedroom apartment which would be a lot cheaper than going to an all inclusive resort and in my opinion, (biased obviously!) is that being outside of an AI is much more interesting & fun!

For example, my apartment in Cabarete (as advertised on DR1) split between five people would leave a lot of cash to spend at the bars and restaurants... And it's got a pool!

Royal Residence Cabarete
Cabarete

Click to expand...

Illwill:

R. Residencial is your best bet in Cabarete, Velero, and O.D. are not for you guys, you will tick off other guests/residents, even if you are able to sneak in your novias!

If you are looking for a frat party, go to Sosua.

t'