Overall6/10Less English-friendly than about 65% of cities
Good to know
Good to Know
- Expats in Cabarete often find the language barrier to be the most challenging aspect of the local culture, as Spanish is the primary language spoken and not everyone is fluent in English outside tourist-focused areas.
- Dominican Spanish presents some unique challenges for learners due to the rapid pace of speech, the use of slang and colloquialisms, and the distinct accent.
- English is most widely available in the tourist district and hospitality businesses; reliability decreases in residential neighborhoods and local establishments away from the main beach area.
Recommendations
While English is widely spoken in touristy areas, knowing a few Spanish basics—like hola (hello) and una cerveza, por favor (a beer, please)—goes a long way, as the locals appreciate the effort and might even share their best insider tips.
Official Language
Spanish is the official language of the Dominican Republic, specifically Dominican Spanish, which has evolved over centuries, drawing influences from various sources, including Andalusian and Canarian Spanish, as well as contributions from indigenous languages like Taíno and African languages.
Other Languages Spoken
- French
- French is also widely spoken in Cabarete.
- German
- German is also widely spoken in Cabarete.
- Haitian Creole
- Haitian Creole is among the most common non-Spanish languages spoken in the Dominican Republic.
National English Proficiency
- Ranking
- In the 2025 EF English Proficiency Index, the Dominican Republic is ranked 63rd in the world with a 'moderate' proficiency level.
- Context
- Tourism, American pop culture, the influence of Dominican Americans, and the country's economic ties with the United States motivate other Dominicans to learn English.
English Proficiency In Cabarete
- Tourist Areas
- English is widely spoken in touristy areas.
- Overall Friendliness
- English is widely spoken in Cabarete, making it easier for expats to communicate and integrate.
- Context
- The culture is a vibrant mix of Dominicans and European, Canadian and American expatriates who have made Cabarete their home, with the main languages spoken being Spanish and English. The international scene in Cabarete gives it a distinctly international vibe; it's not uncommon to hear a half-dozen languages spoken just walking through town.
AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026
Sources cited for this category
These are the sources cited in this language & english friendliness research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.
More About Cabarete
Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.