There’s a moment on the Yásica River—paddle in hand, jungle on either side, the Atlantic breeze tugging gently at your back—when you understand what this is really about.
Not just paddleboarding or yoga, not just the beach cleanups or the pool parties, not even the wind that powers the kites above Cabarete.
It’s about something deeper.
From July 2 to 5, Cabarete hosted the 17th edition of the Cabarete Butterfly Effect, an annual convergence of women from around the world, drawn here by the promise of movement, connection, and courage. This year, it was more than a gathering—it was a record-breaking celebration, with 160 women participating, the highest number in the event’s history.
Founded by Michelle Bourdeau, the Butterfly Effect began as an idea—a way to connect women through the outdoors, to create a space where confidence could bloom and sisterhood could thrive. What it has become is something that now spans oceans and cultures, a movement that fuses adventure with empowerment.
And Cabarete is its spiritual home.
A New Kind of Energy
The 2025 edition pulsed with purpose from the very beginning. The opening registration party at Hotel Villa Taina felt less like check-in and more like a reunion—music, kits full of surprises, laughter that floated over the pool deck like wind over water.
But the tone shifted the next morning, as participants headed to La Boca for a community beach cleanup led by Corito Sostenible. There was work to do—plastic to gather, conversations to spark, a coastline to care for.
And then, that same afternoon, they listened.
At Ojo Lax Club, some of the Dominican Republic’s most inspiring female voices took the stage. Women like Dr. Raysa Perrone of Green Garden, Martina Holzach, Laura Peña, and others shared raw stories, insights, and tools. It wasn’t a panel. It was a transfer of energy. Of knowing.
Because the Butterfly Effect isn’t just about doing brave things. It’s about becoming brave—together.
The Hybrid Day: Motion and Stillness
Saturday was the centerpiece. The morning started slow, intentionally, with yoga led by Lorena Medina, grounding breath and body on the soft Cabarete sand. Then came the paddle—the symbolic journey down the Yásica River, boards slicing through emerald water under a cathedral of mangroves.
It was silent but powerful. Dozens of women moving as one. And at the end of it all: a pool party at Millennium Resort & Spa, a celebration of the journey, a release.
Michelle and her team could feel it—something had shifted this year. The vibe, the scale, the community impact. The Butterfly Effect had always been about transformation. But now, it was multiplying.
There’s already talk of new editions in other Dominican destinations, expanding the mission of empowerment and outdoor sisterhood beyond Cabarete.
And it wouldn’t be possible without a wide circle of local supporters, from RealtorDR to The Beach Club at Sea Horse Ranch, Andari Spa, Fresh Fruit Dominicana, and dozens more. These aren’t just sponsors—they’re believers in the mission.
Next Year: July 8–11, 2026
The dates are set. The wind will blow. The butterflies will return.
And if you’re looking for more than a vacation—something with heart, movement, and meaning—Cabarete will be waiting.
You don’t just come here to participate.
You come here to evolve.
