Aside from spectacular day trips to the surrounding countryside, the beach, which stretches uninterrupted 2km in either direction from town, is the focus of daytime entertainment. Just west of the Carretera is the less lively beach area, which stretches a full 2km to Playa Las Ballenas - a section of the beach named for three oblong islands in the waters just beyond it that resemble breaching humpback whales - before ending in a patch of swamp. The beach east of the intersection has just recently been built up, and has a slightly funkier feel, dominated by low-end cabañas and bars until the construction peters out entirely.

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.