What to Expect

Surf culture on the north coast of the Dominican Republic lives at Playa Encuentro.

It lives in early mornings in the water, coffee from the greca before the sun is fully up, coconut water shared after a surf, and big pots of sancocho by the ocean. It lives in dominoes clicking under the almendra trees, music playing somewhere close, and stories told without rushing.

We truly love our life here and want to share it with our friends and community who have an interest in experiencing our island through our lens of surf, local community, and ancestral culture. 

Yemayá Surf and Dominican Surf School, invite you to join us for an all-inclusive 5 day immersive surf and culture experience in Cabarete, Dominican Republic from March 19 - 24, 2026. This intimate, low-cost retreat is designed for anyone who wants to experience authentic Dominican surf culture — guided by local surfers, community leaders, and ocean lovers. We will surf daily, eat & play together, explore rivers and beaches, and gather at sunset to build community.

Who This Experience is For…

This retreat is open to anyone curious about Dominican surf culture. Whether you’re a beginner touching a surfboard for the first time or an intermediate surfer looking to ride with locals, you are welcome here. We center respect, cultural exchange, and the shared joy of the ocean. This experience will center respect, cultural exchange, and community care.

We move with the ocean, the weather, and the group energy. Island time applies. Si no hay prisa, mejor. 

What’s Included

Surf & Ocean

  • Daily guided surf sessions at five breaks in Playa Encuentro

  • Coaching from Dominican Surf School for all levels

  • Yemayá Surf meet and greet with the women shaping the local surf scene

  • Snorkeling and paddleboard river trip through mangroves

  • Daily surf photography and video analysis

Culture & Community

  • Traditional sancocho cooking experience after a river day

  • Guided Cabarete tour rooted in local history and lived experience

  • Mangrove planting in Laguna Cabarete as community care

  • Waterfall trip or horseback riding along the beach

  • Dominoes and drinks at the beach, sin prisa

Comfort & Connection

  • Five nights at Gipsy Ranch, steps from Playa Encuentro

  • All meals included, shared family-style

  • Fresh coconut water daily

  • Sunset BBQ at Playa Alicia

  • Night out in Cabarete

  • Transportation to all activities

  • Surf workouts and yoga

LODGING

Participants stay at Gipsy Ranch, a locally-owned surf lodge directly across from Playa Encuentro.

Everything you need is close.

Surf breaks, colmado’s (mini supermarkets), restaurants, atm, gas station, etc.

Retreat Pricing

Prices below include everything except your flight: 5 nights lodging, all meals, daily surf coaching, all listed activities, and local transportation.

Limited to 10 participants to ensure an intimate, personalized experience.

Traditional Dominican Style Wooden Room - Twin Bed $1,100 Traditional Dominican Style Wooden Room - Twin Bed $1,100

Traditional Dominican Style Wooden Room (fans, no AC) with 2 Twin Size Beds that sleeps two people

$1,100

Modern Room (with AC) with 3 Twin Size Beds (for three people) $1,200

Modern Room (with AC) with 3 Twin Size Beds (for three people)

$1,200

Modern Apartment with Full Kitchen and Bedroom with Queen Size Bed $1,800

Modern Apartment with Full Kitchen and Bedroom with Queen Size Bed

$1,800

Traditional Dominican Style Wooden Room - Single $1,200

Traditional Dominican Style Wooden Room (fans, no AC) with Single Bed (1 person or 2 people)

$1,200

Modern Room with Queen Size Bed + Twin Size Bed $1,650 Modern Room with Queen Size Bed + Twin Size Bed $1,650

Modern Room with Queen Size Bed + Twin Size Bed

$1,650

  • Day-by-Day Schedule

    Pre-Retreat · Wednesday, March 18

    (Optional early arrival)

    Evening: Informal welcome for early arrivals at Gipsy Ranch.

    Dinner on your own, suggestions provided.

    SWIPE TO SEE THE REST OF THE SCHEDULE

  • Day 1 · Thursday, March 19

    2:00 PM – 4:00 PM: Check-in at Gipsy Ranch. Settle into rooms, relax by the pool.

    4:30 PM: Official Welcome Circle & Orientation. Meet your guides from Yemayá Surf and Dominican Surf School. Overview of the week, safety, and community intentions.

    6:00 PM: Sunset walk to Playa Encuentro. First feel of the sand and surf.

    7:30 PM: Family-style Welcome Dinner at Gipsy Ranch.

    Evening: Chill social time—dominoes, stories, fresh coconut water.

  • Day 2 · Friday, March 20

    7:30 AM: Breakfast at the ranch.

    8:30 AM: Morning Surf Workout + Session at a beginner-friendly break in Encuentro. Local coaches assess levels and provide instruction. Daily surf photography begins—our photographer captures your waves.

    11:30 AM: Video Analysis Session. Review morning footage with coaches for personalized feedback.

    12:30 PM: Lunch at a local comedor (eatery).

    1:30 PM: Rest time / free siesta. Optional pool time.

    3:00 PM: OPTIONAL Guided Cultural Tour of Cabarete. Learn local history, visit our 5 communities, and understand the area’s water sports evolution.

    6:00 PM: Dominican Bachata Lesson! Learn the basics of this iconic dance with local instructors.

    8:00 PM: Group Dinner at a beachfront restaurant in Cabarete.

    Evening: Optional night out in Cabarete center for music and vibes.

  • Day 3 · Saturday, March 21

    7:30 AM: Breakfast.

    8:30 AM: Morning Surf Workout + Session at a different Encuentro break. Photography continues.

    11:00 AM: Yemayá Surf Meet & Greet. Meet the girls of Yemaya Surf 

    12:00 PM: Video Analysis & Progression Workshop. Review footage and focus on technique.

    1:30 PM: River Afternoon & Traditional Sancocho Lunch. A traditional river day where you can paddleboard, play dominos, jump off small cliffs, and/or chill. 

    6:00 PM: Return to Gipsy Ranch

    8:00 PM:Dinner on your own, petty cash & suggestions provided.

  • Day 4 · Sunday, March 22

    8:30 AM: Late start breakfast.

    9:30 AM: Mid-Week Video Analysis Review. Watch highlights and see your progress.

    10:00 AM: Leave for Rio San Juan & Waterfall Excursion

    11:00 AM: Waterfall

    12:30 PM: Lunch & Beach at Rio San Juan 

    4:00 PM: Depart Río San Juan 

    7:00 PM: Dinner 

    Evening: Free time

  • Day 5 · Monday, March 23

    7:30 AM: Breakfast.

    8:30 AM: Final Guided Surf Session at the group's favorite break. Final photo & video capture.

    11:00 AM: Comprehensive Video Analysis & Feedback Session. Celebrate your week's progress.

    12:30 PM: Lunch.

    2:00 PM: Mangrove Planting in Laguna Cabarete. A meaningful community care activity.

    4:00 PM: Free Time / Choose Your Adventure: 

    Relax

    Horseback riding

    6:30 PM: Sunset & Farewell BBQ at Playa Alicia.

    8:30 PM: Closing Circle & Reflection

  • Day 6 · Tuesday, March 24: Hasta Luego

    8:00 AM: Final breakfast together.

    9:30 AM: Check-out of rooms. Luggage storage available.

    10:00 AM: Photo & Video Share—receive a digital gallery of your surf week highlights.

    11:00 AM: Optional last swim/surf (no formal coaching) or goodbyes at the beach.

    12:00 PM: Group transport to Puerto Plata Airport (POP) for afternoon flights.

  • IMPORTANT DETAILS

    𓆝 Fly into Puerto Plata Airport (POP)

    𓆟 Arrive by March 19

    𓆝 Depart after 2 PM on March 24

    𓆟Schedule flows with ocean and island rhythm

    𓆝Extensions welcome, we’re happy to help plan

    𓆝Bring reef-safe sunscreen, a rash guard, a reusable bottle, and an open heart.

READY TO JOIN US?

Scroll up, choose your room & make your deposit.

Te Esperamos.

Once you make your deposit we will email you to schedule a quick intro call and get to know you! 

Have Questions?

We’d love to chat: