And some people just end up throwing their clothes away. 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 beachfront bar that has live music almost every night. Many other bars feature local bands, and concerts on the beach are common. Puerto Plata's airport is only 20 minutes from Cabarete, and Cabarete is a four-hour drive from Santo Domingo, the capital. For people unfamiliar with the country, it's probably easier to take a Caribe Tours bus from Santo Domingo to Sosua and a taxi from there. The trip will take an extra 30 minutes to an hour by bus.