The 2006 Kiteboarding World Cup will give visitors the opportunity to experience the golden beaches, luxurious hotels and unique restaurants of the Dominican Republic’s trendy, vibrant North Coast. This year’s competition, being held for the 5th consecutive year in the energetic town of Cabarete, will take place June 28 - July 2.

The annual kiteboarding event will feature the world’s best competitors battling for a win on the notorious waters of Cabarete, a small, laid-back Caribbean beach village. Known as the kiteboarding capitol of the world due to the area’s perfect combination of wind, water and waves, Cabarete will provide the ideal location for competitors to perform innovative tricks as they use a power kite to pull a small surfboard on water.

During down time from the event, the DR’s North Coast offers plenty of fun, whether visitors want to get “r & r,” stimulate taste buds or see some of the country’s finest attractions. The cities of Cabarete, Puerto Plata and Sosua frame the coast, each bringing forth their own unique characteristics.

Cabarete attracts a hip crowd with its environment and conditions ideal for adrenaline-rushing wind and adventure sports. The lively town is also popular for its nightlife, featuring several areas dedicated to bars and dance clubs. When it comes to properties, famed favorites in Cabarete include the Azzurro Club, the official hotel of the 2006 Kiteboarding World Cup ( http://www.starzresorts.com/azzurro ), Villa Taina ( http://www.villataina.com/ ) and Viva Wyndham Tangerine ( http://www.wyndham.com/ ). While hotels in Cabarete feature fine cuisine, a recommended off-site restaurant is the Blue Moon Retreat, where guests are served Indian cuisine while seated beneath a thatched hut ( http://www.bluemoonretreat.net/ ).

Puerto Plata is the north coast’s largest city and is famous for its Victorian houses and narrow streets. It features one of the world’s most lavish boutique hotels, Casa Colonial, which is frequented by celebrities like Donatella Versace ( http://www.casacolonialhotel.com/ ). Puerto Plata and neighboring Cofresi also have numerous eclectic restaurants and bars as well as the Brugal Rum plant where visitors can tour and sample their infamous rum ( http://www.brugal.com.do/ ). Also nearby is Ocean World Adventure Park ( http://www.oceanworld.net/ ), a unique attraction where visitors interact with dolphins and sea lions.

Sosua, known as one of the most breathtaking spots on the North Coast, sits on a Caribbean bay complete with white sand and a mix of chic boutiques and resorts. The charming town boasts lots of tasty restaurants and bars and features an exceptional all-inclusive hotel, the Sosua Bay Club ( http://www.starzresorts.com/ ).
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