10/99

My wife & I just returned from spending 5 days at the "Sosua by the Sea" hotel in Sosua (just east of Puerto Plata). We walked their beach daily and saw many topfree women and many women & men in thongs only (my wife included). She and a few other Germans staying at the Resort even went topless at the pool at the hotel. The rule of thumb at Resort/Hotel pools in the Dominican Republic seems to be if no one is topfree, try it yourself and many times others will follow suit. Management rarely will approach guests to put on a top unless some prudish American objects. I've even heard the management defend the topfree guests' rights. Other personal experiences of topfree use include Sosua's main beach which is very nice, but loaded with vendors.

--Tom Fernstrom, Eden Bay Homeowners Association