Travieso Cabarete is a CONFOTUR approved, eco focused condo project between Cabarete town and Playa Encuentro. It offers affordable luxury, strong rental potential, in house management, and pre construction pricing with developer financing. For North American buyers, it is a practical way to own near world class surf with major tax savings.
Travieso Cabarete at a Glance
Travieso Cabarete is a master planned condo community on the North Coast of the Dominican Republic. It sits between Cabarete town and Playa Encuentro. The project focuses on walkable design, mature trees, and a car free interior park. It is built by an experienced team with CONFOTUR approval and long term rental strategy in mind.
Core Features
- Location between Cabarete Bay and Encuentro surf beach
- CONFOTUR approved with 15 year tax benefits for first owners
- Affordable luxury finishes imported from Spain and Italy
- Large shared pool, park like interior, and commercial plaza
- In house property management and furniture packages
- Developer financing for a limited number of units
Location and Lifestyle
The Travieso site sits in the natural growth corridor between Cabarete town, Kite Beach, and Playa Encuentro. The developers chose this area because the in town beachfront is already dense, and the next ten years will link Cabarete and Encuentro into one continuous lifestyle strip.
Why This Part of Cabarete Matters
- Walk or bike to Kite Beach and Encuentro surf breaks
- Short drive to Cabarete restaurants, schools, and nightlife
- Future vision of a continuous sidewalk from Cabarete to Encuentro
- Less traffic inside the project due to perimeter parking
Everyday Life Inside Travieso
The lifestyle concept is simple. You park at the edge, then move inside a car free interior filled with trees, walking paths, and pools. Children can run and play without crossing roads. Adults can move between pool, home, and the Travieso Plaza with coffee shop and coworking space.
The design encourages surfing or kitesurfing in the morning, remote work during the day, and social time under the large shade trees in the plaza in the evening.
Design, Construction, and Finishes
Travieso is designed by Luxea Labs, an award winning architectural firm with more than 100 projects across the Dominican Republic. The construction partner, Impulsa Capital, has delivered millions of square meters of hotels and apartments across the island.
Key Design Principles
- Car free interior. Parking rings the project so residents see trees, not cars.
- Cross ventilation in units. High ceilings and large glass keep air moving.
- Shade and nature. Mature almond and native trees are preserved and integrated.
- Park feel. The central area acts like a community park, not a concrete yard.
Finishes and Materials
- Porcelain tile (porcelanato) from Spain in interiors
- Premium fixtures designed to resist coastal rust
- Balcony surfaces planned as real wood or wood look premium porcelain
- Appliance package included (white line) plus air conditioning in the main bedroom
The development team pre purchased tile and finishes for the full project and stored them on site. This reduces risk of delays and cost jumps from supply chain issues.
Units, Layouts, and Rental Potential
Travieso offers several unit types that target both lifestyle buyers and investors. The focus is flexible layouts that work for owners who want to live part time and rent part time.
Main Unit Types
- Wind unit one bedroom with lock off option that can function as two studios or a full one bedroom.
- Ocean unit three bedroom layout with a flexible third bedroom that can act as a studio, office, or media room.
- Penthouses larger units on upper floors with ocean views and expanded outdoor space. Most are sold.
Why the Wind Unit Stands Out for Investors
- Lock off design lets you rent two studios separately
- Multiple use cases. Live in one side and rent the other, or rent both.
- Strong fit for digital nomads and couples who want a long stay
Rental Strategy Highlights
- In house management so owners are not hunting for a manager from abroad
- Turnkey furniture packages from the developer team
- Design aimed at surf and kite guests who value style and walkability
- Early buyers already show equity gains from pre construction price increases
CONFOTUR Tax Benefits Explained
Travieso Cabarete is fully approved under the Dominican Republic CONFOTUR law. This is a tourism incentive program that gives major tax breaks to qualified projects and their first buyers.
What CONFOTUR Gives Travieso Buyers
- No 3 percent title transfer tax at closing
- No 1 percent annual IPI property tax for up to 15 years
- No tax on rental income generated from the unit during the CONFOTUR period
- No capital gains tax if you resell within the CONFOTUR window
Example Savings
On a mid range Travieso unit, the 3 percent transfer tax savings alone are about 7,500 USD. That is equal to roughly 15 round trip flights from New York to Puerto Plata. Over 15 years, skipping IPI and capital gains can add up to the price of a car.
Developer Financing and Pricing
Travieso offers limited developer financing on selected units. This is unusual in Dominican pre construction and is attractive for buyers who cannot or do not want to use local bank financing at higher rates.
Current Financing Structure
- 50 percent paid during construction period
- Remaining 50 percent financed over 5 years at 8 percent interest
- Financing pool is limited and offered case by case
Local bank mortgages for foreigners usually start above 11 percent and require heavier documentation. Developer financing gives a clear timeline and removes the risk that a bank refuses the loan at the last minute.
Price Movement Over Time
- Early buyers have already seen 10 to 20 percent paper gains as prices rose
- Further staged price increases are likely as phases complete and common areas open
- Waiting typically means higher entry price and fewer unit choices
Travieso vs Typical Cabarete Pre Construction
| Feature | Travieso Cabarete | Typical Cabarete Pre Construction |
|---|---|---|
| Tax status | CONFOTUR approved, 15 year tax benefits for first owners | Often no CONFOTUR, buyer pays transfer and IPI taxes |
| Interior design | Landscape architect, preserved mature trees, car free core | Trees often cleared, higher concrete feel, visible parking |
| Developer team | Luxea Labs design plus Impulsa Capital construction track record | Varies. Some have limited history or small portfolios |
| Finishing materials | Imported Spanish and Italian tile and fixtures pre purchased | Local mix, sometimes value engineered during construction |
| Rental setup | In house management and turnkey furniture packages | Buyer must find manager and furnish independently |
| Financing | Limited 5 year developer financing at 8 percent | Usually construction schedule only, no post delivery terms |
| Lifestyle focus | Surf, kitesurf, remote work, community plaza | General resort living, less targeted to active lifestyle |
Step by Step: How to Buy in Travieso
Buying in Travieso follows the standard Dominican process for foreign buyers, with extra focus on CONFOTUR compliance and construction milestones.
- Explore the project Take an in person or virtual tour with a RealtorDR agent. Review site plan, views, and unit types.
- Select your unit Choose floor, orientation, and layout. Ask about remaining units in each phase and which qualify for financing.
- Reserve the unit Place a reservation deposit, typically 3,000 to 5,000 USD, to hold the unit while contracts are prepared.
- Hire an independent attorney Select a Dominican real estate lawyer who is not the developer’s counsel. RealtorDR can refer vetted options.
- Sign the Promesa de Venta Your lawyer reviews the preliminary contract. You pay the standard 10 percent deposit only when you are satisfied.
- Follow the construction payment plan Make staged payments tied to construction milestones, or structure 50 percent during build plus 50 percent on developer financing.
- Closing and final contract When construction is near completion for your phase, you sign the final sales contract before a Dominican notary.
- Delivery and rental setup You receive keys, complete furniture package installation, and onboard with the in house rental management team.
- Title registration Your lawyer registers the title at the Registro de Títulos. CONFOTUR benefits are confirmed as part of the due diligence process.
Best Choice Based on Your Situation
If You Are a Near Retiree Planning a Move in 2 to 5 Years
- Travieso fits well if you want time to wind down work while your unit is built.
- Pre construction schedule matches a planned relocation date.
- Lock in pricing now and use rental income to offset costs later.
If You Are a Superhost Style Investor
- Focus on Wind and Ocean layouts with strong lock off potential.
- Use in house management and furniture to launch fast.
- CONFOTUR shields you from key taxes that eat into ROI.
If You Are a Digital Nomad or Remote Professional
- Travieso gives walkable access to surf plus cowork friendly spaces.
- Choose a one bedroom or lock off that you can live in part of the year.
- Rent the unit when you travel to other countries.
When Travieso May Not Be Ideal
- If you need to move into a finished unit in the next few months.
- If you prefer a fully urban Santo Domingo or Punta Cana setting.
- If you want a standalone villa with private yard instead of condos.
Key Entities Explained
CONFOTUR
CONFOTUR is the Dominican Republic’s tourism incentive law for real estate and hospitality projects. Projects that qualify and are approved receive tax exemptions. First buyers in those projects gain personal tax benefits on transfer tax, property tax, and sometimes income and capital gains.
Registro de Títulos
This is the national Title Registry. It is the government office that issues and records the official property title, called the Certificado de Título. Once your Travieso condo is registered here in your name, your ownership is secure under the Dominican Torrens system.
Developer and Architect
- Luxea Labs The architectural firm behind Travieso’s design. They have designed more than 100 projects across the Dominican Republic.
- Impulsa Capital The construction partner with a large portfolio of hotel and residential projects built across the island.
What This Means for US and Canadian Buyers
Travieso Cabarete directly addresses the main questions North American buyers ask about pre construction in the Dominican Republic.
- Trust and track record The developer team has delivered large projects before and has already secured CONFOTUR approval, which requires strict vetting.
- Taxes CONFOTUR reduces the friction that many US and Canadian buyers feel when comparing closing and holding costs to their home market.
- Financing Developer terms at 8 percent can be simpler than arranging local bank loans or tapping home equity lines.
- Management In house property management and furniture packages reduce the stress of setting up a rental from abroad.
- Lifestyle Surf, kitesurf, and remote work access give you a clear story for your own use and for marketing to guests on Airbnb and similar platforms.
For many US and Canadian buyers, Travieso can function as a hybrid. It can be a future retirement landing pad, a present day investment, and a vacation home that pays its own way through rentals.
Frequently Asked Questions about Travieso Cabarete
Travieso is already CONFOTUR approved. The project appears on the national list of approved tourism projects. This means buyers can rely on the published tax benefits instead of hoping for future approval.
The project is very close to the beach. From the main entrance, you cross the road and reach the ocean in roughly 100 to 150 meters. Kite Beach and Playa Encuentro are both nearby for kitesurfing and surfing.
Yes. Travieso is designed with short term and medium term rentals in mind. The in house management team can handle bookings and guest services. Units like the Wind lock off are especially strong for Airbnb because they can be used as two studios.
Key risks include delays, changes in finishes, and underfunded developers. Travieso reduces these risks by pre buying materials, partnering with experienced builders, and securing CONFOTUR early. You still need an independent lawyer to protect your interests.
Phase one, including the first buildings and main pool, is planned for completion around the end of the current year. Phase two should follow by next summer, and the commercial plaza is scheduled to close out the project. Timelines can shift, but major structures are already up.
Travieso focuses on consistent high quality finishes rather than heavy customization. Some minor choices may be possible if you buy early, but the big advantage is that finishes are already specified, purchased, and coordinated across the project.
Yes. CONFOTUR does not replace legal due diligence. You still need a lawyer to review contracts, confirm title status, request the No Debt certificate, and register your ownership at the Registro de Títulos. Think of CONFOTUR as a tax tool, not a legal shield.
Travieso is well suited for families. The car free interior, pool, and park like design make it safer and more relaxing. Cabarete has access to international schools, water sports, and a strong expat community, which many families appreciate.
You can close remotely using a Power of Attorney. Your lawyer prepares this document, which you sign and notarize in your home country, usually at a Dominican consulate. They then attend closing on your behalf.
RealtorDR agents walk you through unit selection, pricing, and rental strategy. The team coordinates with the developer, updates you on construction progress, and connects you with English speaking attorneys, mortgage contacts, and tax advisors when needed.
Key Takeaways
- Travieso offers CONFOTUR approved condos between Cabarete and Encuentro.
- Design focuses on car free interiors, mature trees, and park style living.
- Lock off layouts and in house management support strong rental performance.
- CONFOTUR cuts transfer, property, and capital gains taxes for first buyers.
- Limited developer financing at 8 percent eases entry for foreign buyers.
- RealtorDR provides on the ground guidance from selection through closing.
To explore current Travieso availability, pricing, and floor plans, connect with a RealtorDR advisor Michelle Bourdeau who specializes in Cabarete pre construction projects or you can learn more at https://realtordr.com/property/rdr-52766/.