Santo Domingo, considerably larger and more cosmopolitan than most Caribbean destination cities, offers its visitors the same sun and surf as other islands plus sophisticated nightlife and world-class sports facilities. Extensive rain forest and mountain regions lie close to the city, ideal for the eco-adventurer.

Beaches
Visitors flock to the Caribbean for the beaches, and Santo Domingo, located in the south of the Dominican Republic is no exception. The city lies close to over 400 kilometres of the island's most beautiful stretches of sand. The best nearby beaches include Boca Chica, Juan Dolio, La Romana and Bayahibe. Visitors not only have access to white and golden sand beaches and sparkling sea, but can also participate in innumerable water sports. The many coral reefs, wide varieties of fish, crustaceans and dolphins combine to present an underwater wonderland, perfect for both snorkelers and scuba divers. To the north is the Bay of Samaná, where if luck is on your side, specially at Cayo Levantado, you might just catch a glimpse of the humpback whales that mate in the bay in the winter months. Visitors can rent boats for deep-sea fishing, as well as jet skis, wave runners, other small boats and other water sports equipment.

Outdoor Activities
The Dominican Republic is home to three of the world's most beautiful golf courses, with 9- and 18-hole tracks among them. The La Romana golf course is the most famous of the three, known for its beachside greens. Other popular sporting activities include tennis, polo, horseback riding, sailing, bicycling, bowling and parasailing.

The country also has lots to offer in the growing areas of eco-tourism and adventure travel. You can trek and hike in protected areas such as the parks José Armando Bermúdez and José del Carmen Ramí¬rez, both sharing the highest mountain in the Caribbean, the Pico Duarte. Also, you can opt to explore caves located amidst the country's mountainous regions and tropical rain forests, such as such as the Cabarete Caves. The adventurous can enjoy as well canoeing, rafting, tubing, mountain biking, camping and paragliding, and no place is better for these activities than Jarabacoa, in the north part of the island.

If you do not wish to leave the city there are some options for the outdoors lovers within the confines of Santo Domingo. The Mirador Sur park is one of the largest green areas of the city. Also, you will be able to admire the endemic fauna at the interesting Botannical Garden, while the National Zoo is one of the largest in Latin America.

Spectator Sports
If you are not the athletic type, but like to watch, Santo Domingo has much to offer. Leading the way is baseball, the island's passion. In Santo Domingo, as in all the other cities in the country, there are training grounds that supply players to Major League Baseball in the United States, to Japan's Professional League and to other professional leagues worldwide. Currently there are over 50 Dominican players in the US leagues with at least one player on each major league team, including the famous Sammy Sosa. The Professional Winter League plays here from October to January, drawing world-class players to Santo Domingo.

Other popular spectator sports in Santo Domingo include international polo, horse racing, boxing, basketball, volleyball, windsurfing, powerboat and sailing competitions, cockfighting, motocross, and auto racing.

Casinos
Santo Domingo's large resorts offer Las Vegas-style casinos, featuring games of chance such as blackjack, craps, roulette, slot machines, poker and baccarat. (Note: you must be at least 18 years old to play.) Generally casinos open at 4 p.m. and stay open until 4 a.m. on weekdays and until 6 a .m. on weekends. Most casinos are located in the hotels, such as the ones at El Embajador, Lina, Hispaniola and Melia.

The local bingo halls are also a popular choice, as the jackpots can sometimes get quite high. Others choose to go to the track and bet on horse racing. Not for the squeamish is the local pastime of cockfighting. Rings are scattered all over the city, so if you wish to take a look or try your luck, just ask your friendly cab driver to take you.

Nightlife
At night, Santo Domingo lights up with a flair and tempo that rivals any Latin American city, with a good measure of cosmopolitan chic and Caribbean style. Caribbean rhythms set the tone, with the Dominican merengue and Puerto Rican salsa leading the way. The parties at the discos and in the streets go on all night, especially on weekends.

Most cafés and discos come into and go out of fashion frequently as people decide what is the place of the moment, and generally go out of business after the excitement is gone. Other remain as a traditional part of the Dominican nightlife. Nowadays, the most popular and frequented places include Montecristo Café, Trí¬o Café and Beer House Café as well as Pat'e Palo European Brasserie, among others. Other places, worth visiting are Hollywood Café, Bizarro Café & Grill and Café Concierto Bachata Rosa.

There are several establishments directed toward gay audiences, these include Aire, located in the Colonial Zone and The Bachelor's Club, a members-only club.

Traditional events held every year in the month of February (and sometimes extending until early March) include Carnival -- well worth attending if you are in town. Having El Malecón as its primary scenario, people wearing colourful and unique costumes flood the streets, while dancing to the contagious rhythm of merengue.

Another event is the Festival del Merengue, celebrated in late July. Also celebrated at El Malecón, this event dedicated to Merengue, the typical local music attracts a large crowd, including both tourists and locals.