Iguana Mama has been offering action tours since 1992. When Pearsons isn't behind the bar at the popular Onno's or guiding tourists, she's surfing at Playa Encuentro, a couple of miles west of Cabarete. Some say Encuentro is the best beach in the country for surfing. The most popular ones are near the beachfront restaurants and bars. The restaurants are laid-back, catering to a beer and sandwich crowd that also likes an occasional lobster with wine.
Musicians roam through the restaurants playing Dominican bachata love songs for tips.
Nightlife centers on New Wave, a beach-front bar that has live music almost every night. Many other bars feature local bands, and concerts on the beach are common. Another attraction is cheap lodging. The beach-front hotels on the commercial strip can be a bit like New Orleans' Bourbon Street, noisy all night long. But for instant access, they can't be beat.