Splendid resorts, aqua waters, sandy beaches, and evenings filled with merengue and dark rum: The Dominican Republic boasts all the ingredients for a relaxing vacation. But there is much to discover as well, with tropical rain forests, mangrove swamps, vast desert expanses, and a mountainous interior. An amazing array of opportunities for ecotourism and adventure travel are available throughout this beautiful natural realm. From the bustling, historic capital city of Santo Domingo to the wildlife-rich Lago Enriquillo, from the underdeveloped Semana Peninsula famous for whale-watching to the remote beaches and sugar plantations in the southeast, the guide provides everything you need to make the most of your trip.