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You can watch the local kids play, or have a go yourself at any local park, but to experience the fanaticism with which Dominicans follow baseball, you should visit one of the top gounds – Estadio Tetelo Vargas, San Pedro de Macorís or La Romana.

The two top courses are integral parts of upmarket tourist resorts, but are open to non-residents. Designed by Pete Dye, Casa de Campo’s challenging golf course in La Romana lies right next to the sea, as does the Robert Trent Jones course at Playa Dorada. Other golf sites are the Punta Cana and Playa Grande.

You’ll find tennis courts at all major hotels, and it’s usually possible to hire rackets on site. The biggest complex is at Casa de Campo where professionals advise you on the game.

Second to baseball in most Dominicans’ affections, and growing all the time, this sport is played in every town and village by the locals, and there’s nothing to stop visitors taking part. The main venue for serious games is Santo Domingo’s Centro Olímpico, where the would-be professionals display their skills.

Although cycling isn’t safe in most towns and cities, the countryside is full of relatively quiet, if potholed, roads, and there is no shortage of off-road possibilities, especially in the Cordillera Central. Bikes can be hired from specialist tour operators, who also lead organized excursions.

Lake and river fishing are popular with locals, but angling-inclined visitors will want to have a go at deep-sea fishing, where sea bass and red snapper are favorites. For those who prefer a Hemingway-style contest, there is big-game fishing for marlin, setting out from Palmar de Ocóa and Cabeza de Toro.

Dominicans like to bet, especially on cockfighting, but horses also have their fans, particularly at Santo Domingo’s V Centenario racetrack. Here, gambling alternates with drinking.

With most adults happy to drive their cars at breakneck speed on the country’s roads, this is normally reserved for children, although there’s no reason why grown-ups can’t roar around the corners. There’s an excellent track on the Malecón at Santo Domingo and another good one inland from the Bávaro beach resort, Costa del Coco. Test your skills if gearing up to compete with your kids.

Another United States import eagerly embraced by the Dominican youth, bowling has taken off as a popular family activity following the opening of a couple of state-of-theart venues. The Sebelén Bowling Center in the capital is big and technically impressive, while Punta Cana has its own championship-standard alley.

Legend has it that polo was introduced in 1954 by the Indian maharaja Jabar Singh, who was hired to teach the dictator Trujillo’s sons. Its main home is now the exclusive Casa de Campo resort, where only the seriously rich can play, under the eye of the maharaja’s sons. Visitors are also allowed to watch the matches during weekends.