City of Firsts
The heart of the Dominican Republic can be
found in its capital by the sea, Santo Domingo. Often
referred to as the City of Firsts, Santo Domingo has one foot
firmly planted in its rich and fascinating past and the other
foot firmly in the modern day. Set up as the first capital and
European city in the New World and the first to use Spanish
coinage, the city is also home to the New World's first
university, street, cathedral, monastery, palace and court of
law. For a more modern day visit, this metropolis is home to
top-notch cafes and restaurants, exciting nightlife spots
where the merengue never stops, rich cultural offerings and,
of course, exciting baseball – the national pastime.
Getting There
Las Americas International Airport in Santo Domingo
is the most popular gateway into the country, welcoming
flights from all around the world. Visitors can opt to spend a
day or two exploring the city before heading off to their
beach resort or they can stay right in the heart of the
capital.
Where to Stay
Throughout the city, visitors can choose from a range of
accommodations. Many of the city's hotels cater to business
travelers but vacationers are also just as welcome. Five star
hotels include the new Hilton, the Jaragua
Renaissance, the Santo Domingo Hotel, V Centenario,
Melia Santo Domingo, among others, as well as a variety of
hotels in the Colonial City.
What to Do
The most popular attractions for visitors to Santo Domingo
are found throughout the Colonial City section, which
has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Here tourists find a charming expanse of 16th century
buildings that simply drip with history, including El Alcázar
de Colón (the home of Columbus' son Diego); Calle Las
Damas, the oldest street in the New World where Spanish
women would spend their afternoon; the Ozama fortress;
and the palace of the Spanish Court. Visitors can also
experience modern life in the Colonial City by partaking in
the hustle and bustle of the Calle El Conde street
marketplace. For culture and history buffs, visits to the Museum
of the Dominican Man, the Museum of Modern Art, the
National Museum of History and Geography, and the National
Museum of Natural History await exploration. No trip here
is complete without a visit to the Faro a Colón, the
Columbus Lighthouse. Constructed in 1992, this massive
lighthouse is a modern work of art with its architecture and
is home to several museums and the guarded remains of
Christopher Columbus himself. Fans of horse racing can
catch some action at the Perla Antillana hippodrome on
Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays.
Party Pleasures
Nothing beats a night on the town in Santo Domingo.
Dinner is usually served late – around 9 p.m. – and the
choices are limitless. Visitors can select from eclectic
cuisine at trendy new restaurants or enjoy a hearty meal from
one of the street vendors which cooks up more traditional
Dominican fare. These dishes embrace the flavors of local
Antillean and hearty Creole recipes. Rice, fish, other
seafood, meat and vegetables – with light spices or coconut
to add flavor – are staples of the island's diet.
Once dinner is completed, visitors still face a barrage of
choices. They can enjoy some of the island's own rich coffee,
flavorful rums or the "miracle" and aphrodisiac
Mamajuana (a concoction of herbs, roots, leaves, bark, rum,
gin, wine, honey and lemon which is said to cure everything
from impotency to the flu).
After the palate has been satisfied, travelers can dance
the merengue throughout the night in one of the hot dance
clubs, enjoy a performance at the National Theater, or
stroll down the Malecón pedestrian walkway with its
general people watching and outdoor entertainment. Even when
the sun goes down, there is always something to keep visitors
going through the night.
Festivals
Santo Domingo hosts a number of festivals each year. The Merengue
Festival is a week-long celebration (late July/early
August) of the country's most famous music genre. Revelers
dance in the streets along the Malecón to music provided by
some of the world's best known merengue acts. The colorful Carnival,
held just prior to the Lenten season, is characterized by
homemade masks, parades, food and, of course, drink. Every
weekend, Thursday to Sunday, starting at 8:30 p.m. on the
Colonial Zone at Plaza España and Columbus Park, Santo
Domingo de Fiesta brings together artists and musicians to
entertain with beautiful songs and music.
