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 our 2nd immersive surf and culture experience in Cabarete, Dominican Republic from September 2 - 7, 2026. This intimate, low-cost, and all-inclusive 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 & tips: 5 nights lodging, all meals, daily surf coaching, all listed activities, and local transportation. We encourage participants to leave between $200 - 500 Dominican pesos in tips for Instructors each day.
Limited to 10 participants to ensure an intimate, personalized experience.
Traditional Dominican Style Wooden Room (fans, no AC) with 2 Twin Size Beds that sleeps two people
$1,200
Modern Room with Queen Size Bed
Single Occupancy $1,600
Double Occupancy $1,200 per person
SOLD OUT
Modern Room (with AC) with 3 Twin Size Beds (for three people)
$1,300
SOLD OUT
Modern Apartment with Full Kitchen and Bedroom with Queen Size Bed
Single Occupancy $1,900
Double Occupancy $1,500 per person
SOLD OUT
Traditional Dominican Style Wooden Room (fans, no AC) with Single Bed (1 person or 2 people)
Single Occupancy: $1,300
Double Occupancy: $1,000 per person
Modern Room with Queen Size Bed + Twin Size Bed
Single Occupancy $1,750
Double Occupancy Full Bed: $1,350; Twin Bed: $1,300
SOLD OUT
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:
Phone/WhatsApp: 1-809-802-7493
Instagram: @yemayasurf @dominicansurfschool