Cabarete and the Monkey Jungle!

We finally made it to Cabarete last weekend. It's known as the kite-surfing capital of the Caribbean and a hip, laid-back beach town. I was thrilled to find sushi and Mexican food in our condo complex, though the town is known for its beachside restaurants. We stayed in a lovely condo right on Cabarete beach, a wide, clean beach with gentle waves (last weekend, anyway). I think normally it's rougher and windier, but we lucked out.

I felt like I was in Miami Beach or Melrose Place

Yes, there is an Irish pub on the beach. I don't know why.

We got M his first boogie board, and the waves were gentle enough to allow him to play the whole time in the surf. I think he's hooked.

The highlight of our weekend was the trip to the Monkey Jungle outside of Sosua. Visitors are given a plate of fruit and nuts to feed the squirrel monkeys, who are not shy at all about stepping onto your arms and shoulders to get the food. There is also a zip line with 7 stations. The best part is that all of the proceeds go to fund the medical and dental clinics that serve hundreds of rural residents each week.

L was afraid to hold her own plate, but was enchanted by the monkeys, especially the babies clinging to their mothers' backs.

 

 After feeding the monkeys, Daddy and M tried the 4400 foot zipline. M was so brave- he didn't hesitate at all.

On our way home, we stopped for one minute at Playa Grande, outside Rio San Juan. It's listed in Lonely Planet as one of the prettiest beaches in the country, but you don't hear much about it. I wish we had stayed longer...the sand was so soft, white, and cushiony. I hope we'll be back.