In keeping with its expat-dominated culture, Las Terrenas's restaurants have a fully international flavour with Italian, Spanish, French, Mexican and even Indian options available. Most of the hotels along the beach have their own restaurants and bars and these tend to cater as much for passing trade as they do for residents. The social scene, too, tends to be based around the beachfront joints, with most of the action close to the main road.

Baro Latino Calle Playa Cacao. Bustling café with a huge menu including good breakfasts and pizzas. Good for people-watching too.

Casa Azul Calle Playa Cacao. Part of the redeveloped fishing shacks, serving terrific, if pricey, seafood.

Casa Boga Calle Playa Cacao. Another of the beachside shacks that serves the best fish in town.

Casa Coco Calle El Portillo. Reasonably priced pizzeria with a candlelit outdoor seating area.

Comedor Jahaira The only place to go for comida criolla in Las Terrenas, and incredibly inexpensive. From the town centre, head up the Carretera Las Terrenas and take the second dirt track on the right after the Centro Commercial.

Kanesh Beach Hotel Calle Playa Cacao tel 809/240-6187. Excellent Indian food that needs to be ordered at least one day in advance.

Nuevo Mundo Carretera Las Terrenas. This is the place to party in Las Terrenas, an insanely popular disco a few metres south of the main crossroads.