Active Pursuits

There are watersports kiosks about every 90m (295 ft.) along the beach, any of which will rent you snorkeling gear and tell you the best spots for seeing fish. You can also rent sailboats, windsurfers, and other watersports gear at any of the kiosks.

Gipsy Ranch, Carretera Sosúa-Cabarete, opposite the Coconut Palm Resort (tel. 809/571-1373), is the region's largest and best-recommended riding stable, home to about 20 horses, which can be hired for equestrian treks of between 1 and 4 hours. You'll begin your experience at the stone corral about 7km (4 1/3 miles) from Sosúa and 5km (3 miles) from Cabarete. A 1-hour jaunt goes for RD$630; a 2-hour excursion through forests and along beaches costs RD$980. Reservations are strongly recommended.

Many divers are attracted to the waters off Sosúa. In town the best outfitter is Northern Coast Diving, Calle Pedro Clisante 8 (tel. 809/571-1028; www.northerncoastdiving.com). There are more than a dozen diving sites off the coast, including a wreck, a canyon dive, and a wall dive. Northern Coast offers PADI-certified divemasters or instructors, featuring a two-tank boat dive for RD$2,800with equipment, RD$2,450 without. For RD$6,825 to RD$7,875 you get 3 days of diving and certification training. The outfitter also offers 3-hour snorkeling excursions for RD$1,575 per person.