From city life to the warm Caribbean waters & palmtrees without hassles
Cabarete sits on the north coast, an easy hop from North America and a single connection from most of Europe. No island-hopping, no nervy little planes — you land, we drive.
Alongside Hawaii, the Dominican Republic ranks among the world’s top watersports destinations: morning surf and afternoon trade winds, all in a single epic day.
Flight > Taxi Jump in our pool
Puerto Plata (POP) takes nonstop US flights from Miami, New York, Newark, Charlotte, Boston and Atlanta, and from Canada, Toronto, Montreal, Calgary, Ottawa, Quebec City, Moncton, and Winnipeg. Some are seasonal flights but most operate year-round. From the terminal we are a twenty-five minute drive down the coast road — and we’ll be waiting for you at arrivals.
Puerto Plata (POP) is the easiest way in, but it isn’t the only one. Two more international airports sit within an easy drive: Santiago (STI) is about an hour and a half away, and Santo Domingo (SDQ) around three and a half — both worth a look if the fare or the timing happens to land better on the day you want to travel.
Whichever you choose, we’ll help you line up the transfer so the final leg is sorted before you touch down.
How to get here?
Fly into Puerto Plata (code POP), a twenty-five minute transfer down the coast road, and you are with us. An arrival as effortless as the week itself.
A very close airport,
and two backups.
Arrival at Puerto Plata (POP) is ideal. Santiago (STI) and Santo Domingo (SDQ) are reliable alternatives if fares or the schedule are better.
The quick way to get to Swell. 25 minutes by our taxi shuttle which is included in all stays.
A reliable backup with more regional routes. We can arrange your arrival at Swell (extra charges apply) or grab an Uber.
More flights from more countries. Add some city culture to your beach holiday. We can arrange your arrival at Swell (extra charges apply) or grab an Uber.
We’ll be
at arrivals.
We send you a form to give us your flight details and a driver will be waiting for you at the airport. The 25 minute drive winds east along the coast road and drops you at our door.
- Met by nameA driver waiting at arrivals with a sign — if you share, it's only with other Swell guests
- Door to doorStraight to Swell — no detours
Good to know.
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Transfer to and from Puerto Plata Included
A pickup from Puerto Plata (POP) is arranged for every guest — our trusted driver is waiting at arrivals with your name on a sign
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Saturday to Saturday
Most retreats run weekly. If you need to arrive on another day, we’ll line your transfers up around your dates.
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No car needed
Access everything — beach, breaks, restaurants — on foot or a short ride away in our own transport.
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Easy entry
The Dominican Republic is visa-free for most visitors for short stays. A passport and a tourist card purchased on arrival for US$10 is all it takes.
Cabarete,
corner to corner.
Getting here,
answered.
Airports, transfers and entry — the practical bits you need to know. Anything we’ve missed — write to us, Clare replies within a day.
Puerto Plata International (POP) ideally — it’s just 25 minutes from the door. Santiago (STI – 1.5h) and Santo Domingo (SDQ – 3.5h) are reliable backups if the fare or schedules are better. Extra charges apply for STI and SDQ.
We include the Puerto Plata (POP) airport pickup and drop off in our package prices. Once you have booked, you will receive a link to fill in a form so we can set up your pickup. A trusted driver meets you at arrivals with your name on a sign. The drive to Swell winds along the coast road straight to our door in 25 minutes.
For Santiago (STI) or Santo Domingo (SDQ) we have to charge extra since they are longer journeys. Uber also operates in the Dominican Republic these days; you don’t need to use our transfer services.
For most visitors the Dominican Republic is visa-free for short stays — your passport (and a tourist card bought in the arrivals hall of the airport for a few USD) is all it takes. Check the rules for your own nationality before you fly.
No — you definitely do not need a car. The beach, breaks and restaurants are all on foot or a short ride away, and your transfer covers the POP airport run both ways.
Most retreats run Saturday to Saturday. If you need to arrive on a different day, just let us know. We line transfers up around our guests’ arrival and departure days.
It is definitely an option, if you don’t mind renting a car and driving up to the North coast. It’s approximately a 6 hour drive from Punta Cana to Swell, a drive with pretty scenery.
Watersport paradise
Tell us your dates, how many people you are thinking about coming with, and we’ll send you a custom price and availability quote; almost instantly. Hasta pronto, see you soon.