Despite its growth and growing popularity, Las Terrenas still retains its funky vibe. This is the type of place where no shirt, no shoes…no problem goes at local restaurants. You can enjoy a cold Presidente (the national beer) with your toes in the sand…dance the night away to the sounds of the local Latin music style, bachata…and still get the daily catch from fisherman who head out each morning—just $3 dollars for a pound of mahi-mahi at the co-op right on the beach in the heart of town.

There are no big resorts or hotel towers here. Just forest-covered mountains cascading down to the water, fronted by a low-slung skyline of ramshackle beach huts, brightly colored restaurants, modern condos, and beachfront homes. It’s a walkable town, although many expats do get an ATV or motor scooter to get around. If you plan to do many out of town trips, to Santo Domingo or elsewhere in the country, a car would be useful.

It’s quite possible to be sipping strong Italian espresso while enjoying a buttery French croissant…all while watching palm trees swaying in the breeze and the azure Caribbean waters beyond them. For a bit of local flair join the locals playing dominoes and drinking cuba libre (rum and coke) at a storefront, or the beachfront park.

One of the top Dominican Republic kitesurfing spots, Las Terrenas offers some of the best wind in the country for kitesurfing, between 15 – 20 knots from December to September.

It’s also a great spot for learning to kitesurf in a safe environment. Advanced riders and kitefoilers will also love it in Las Terrenas

One of the main attractions for kitesurfers in Las Terrenas is that it is relatively quiet on the water, certainly, when compares to the much better know kitesurf resort of Cabarete (just 3 hours drive away)

The wind in Las Terrenas is a super steady thermal wind, starting around 1 pm and ending at around 6 pm.

Kitesurfing spots in Las Terrenas:

El Portillo - here there is side shore wind and flat water, so El Portillo is good for all levels but especially beginners. It is also a perfect place to try kitefoiling. It is a 15-minute drive from Las Terrenas centre, and home to the 4-star resort all inclusive Bahia resort. There is a kitesurf school right by the hotel so this is an especially great location for a family Kitesurf holiday. The beach there is beautiful and pretty wild, it’s also a good spot for snorkeling off the shore.

Punta Popy - In Punta Popy, you’ll find side on-shore wind, with the sea a bit wavy. It’s a good Dominican Republic kitesurfing spot for intermediate to advanced levels, where you can ride downwind and try kite foiling as well. The spot is easily accessible, right in Las Terrenas city center with many restaurants, bars, and small hotels around it.

One of the top Dominican Republic kitesurfing spots, Las Terrenas offers some of the best wind in the country for kitesurfing, between 15 – 20 knots from December to September.

It’s also a great spot for learning to kitesurf in a safe environment. Advanced riders and kitefoilers will also love it in Las Terrenas

One of the main attractions for kitesurfers in Las Terrenas is that it is relatively quiet on the water, certainly, when compares to the much better know kitesurf resort of Cabarete (just 3 hours drive away)

The wind in Las Terrenas is a super steady thermal wind, starting around 1 pm and ending at around 6 pm.

Kitesurfing spots in Las Terrenas:

El Portillo - here there is side shore wind and flat water, so El Portillo is good for all levels but especially beginners. It is also a perfect place to try kitefoiling. It is a 15-minute drive from Las Terrenas centre, and home to the 4-star resort all inclusive Bahia resort. There is a kitesurf school right by the hotel so this is an especially great location for a family Kitesurf holiday. The beach there is beautiful and pretty wild, it’s also a good spot for snorkeling off the shore.

Punta Popy - In Punta Popy, you’ll find side on-shore wind, with the sea a bit wavy. It’s a good Dominican Republic kitesurfing spot for intermediate to advanced levels, where you can ride downwind and try kite foiling as well. The spot is easily accessible, right in Las Terrenas city center with many restaurants, bars, and small hotels around it.