Easter Week, called Semana Santa in the Dominican Republic, is a weeklong celebration of religion and partying.

And partying means music. In Cabarete it means lots of it.

“It is the time of the year where all locals,” says Claudia Schwarz, the manager/owner of Villa Taina, “entire families, their friends and vacationers celebrate life at the beach, eat, drink, and stay in the ocean all day. Being at Semana Santa allows tourists to participate in one of the big Dominican traditions. The whole beach turns into a party zone with Merengue and Salsa tunes, cheerful crowds and lots of local rum and beer. “

Various sponsors, like Presidente beer, set up five band stands playing Latin music day and night. Really. The music lasts four days, starting on Thursday night and Friday morning.

At noon on Good Friday all entertainment stops for religious observance. It starts again at midnight on full volume. The best part is the music is free.

“Semana Santa is,” says Claudia, “an opportunity to get sun, beach and different and great music in one vacation— an excellent value.”

Room rates in this 57 room and suite boutique hotel during Semana Santa range from $111 for standard double rooms to $175  for a penthouse suite overlooking the palms toward the ocean—double occupancy, including an all-you-can-eat breakfast and all local taxes. Villa Taina is in the center of Cabarete beach famed for windsurfing, kite surfing and surfboarding. It has a spa and one of the oldest surfing schools on the island. The restaurant has an international range of food. It and the open-air bar are next to the beach.

Villa Taina, www.villataina.com