We are scheduled for a trip to Puerto Plata(Cabarete Bay) in Dominican Republic this coming winter. Is there topless sunbathing and/or thong bathing suits allowed/prevalent on the beaches ?

yes...you'll definately see some thongs & topless women.

We just returned from Punta Cana. The majority of people staying there were Europeons. I think it is the same in Puerto Plata. Very few Americans and a few Canadians. Wherever there are a lot of Europeans you will see topless and thongs. Check out your hotel and see if it is an American hotel or a Europeon hotel.

If it's the Cabarete Bay Hotel, it was recently bought (and renovated in Winter '04) by an Italian company Starz Resorts.

Thank you BigBadTea and ShirleyK for replies about topless and thong bathing in D.R. My wife has fully recovered from two life saving abdominal surgeries and will happily be on the beach in the skimpiest thong bikini for two weeks this February.