Ecotourism in the Dominican Republic: A Guide from Cabarete Maravilla
Published 2026-06-22 · Cabarete Maravilla Ecolodge
The Dominican Republic is best known internationally for its all-inclusive resorts, but the north coast around Cabarete and Puerto Plata has become one of the country's strongest hubs for a very different kind of travel: ecotourism built around wind sports, rainforest, and small, low-impact properties rather than large-scale development.
How Cabarete Maravilla approaches sustainability
Cabarete Maravilla Ecolodge runs on solar power, uses rainwater harvesting, and sources food organically wherever possible, with a farm-to-table, vegetarian-friendly kitchen. The property avoids single-use plastics, and 10% of every stay goes toward local coral reef restoration — a direct link between the guest experience and the coastline it depends on.
Nature to explore nearby
El Choco National Park, a short drive from the lodge, protects rainforest, caves, and freshwater lagoons, and is a popular spot for hiking and mountain biking. Further along the north coast, the 27 Charcos de Damajagua — a series of natural waterfalls and swimming holes — is one of the region's best-known eco-adventures (read our full guide to the 27 Charcos). Whale watching in Samaná Bay, from January to March, is another seasonal highlight for travelers who want to combine wildlife with the beach.
Traveling with a lighter footprint
Choosing smaller, independently-run eco-lodges over large resorts, eating locally-sourced food, and supporting community-run tours are some of the simplest ways travelers can make their trip to the Dominican Republic's north coast lower-impact — while usually getting a more personal, memorable experience in the process.
Wildlife to Look For
The Dominican Republic's north coast is home to a surprising amount of biodiversity for such a compact area — from iguanas and the native hutia (a large rodent found almost nowhere else in the world) to a wide variety of tropical birdlife around El Choco's lagoons and rainforest. Offshore, humpback whales migrate to nearby Samaná Bay every year between January and March, making it one of the most accessible whale-watching destinations in the Caribbean.
Supporting the Local Community
Ecotourism works best when it channels money back into the places and people that make the destination worth visiting. That's the thinking behind directing 10% of every stay at Cabarete Maravilla toward local coral reef restoration, and it's the same reason we point guests toward community-run tours and local guides rather than larger, outside-owned operators whenever there's a choice — it keeps more of what you spend in Cabarete itself.