Santo Domingo Dominican RepublicSanto Domingo Dominican Republic, the country's Capital, was founded by Bartolome Colon, Columbus’ brother in 1496. It is known as the first city of the Americas. Its official name now is Santo Domingo de Guzman. It is proud to be the home of the first university, the first hospital and the first cathedral on the New World. It is located on the southern coast of the Hispaniola, shared by Haiti on the west and the Republica Dominicana on the East. It faces, therefore, the Caribbean Sea. Click here to Share your Story
The majestic National Palace of the Republica Dominicana
Adult Caribbean Vacation
We all adore our children, but... sometime we need time for ourselves. The Trujillo era The city has experienced its share of tragedies during the years. It was once destroyed in 1562 by an earthquake, burned and savaged by Sir Francis Drake in 1586 and occupied by the Haitians until Rafael Leonidas Trujillo took power in 1936. The rising Dictator changed the name of the city to Ciudad Trujillo after himself. I remember my years at Elementary School, we learned the capitals of the Americas and Ciudad Trujillo was the only name recognized for this colonial city. When he was overthrown in 1961, the Capital regained its name back. A few years of unrest continued until the American Invasion of 1965, which brought calm and prosperity to the country. An important and busy Caribbean Capital Santo Domingo Dominican Republic is today a cosmopolitan city with around 2.5 million inhabitants. And if we count the Province of Santo Domingo the population goes over the three million on an area of more than 250 square kilometers. Santo Domingo is the most bustling and diverse city in the Caribbean. The dominicanos are lovely working people, which have gone through many difficulties during the years, but now they have the progress and quiet they so long deserved.
This is the well kept zona colonial of Santo Domingo Dominican Republic
Find a Hotel in the CaribbeanAttractions in Santo Domingo Dominican Republic The city has an area called the Zona Colonial located west of the Ozama River. Also called La Atarazana, it is a perfect example of Spanish colonial Architecture including cobblestone streets. It hosts the Museum of the Dominican man, and the Museum of Modern Art. Going down to the west starts the famous Malecon or boardwalk along the ocean, surrounded by palms.
Let us visit the Estadio Quisqueya where you can watch the national and favorite sport of the island, baseball. We are all witnesses to the many great “dominicanos” playing on the Great Leagues in the United States. Who doesn’t know famous A Rod, short for Alex Rodriguez? Los Tres Ojos, in English the three eyes, is located on the way from the airport to the capital. It is a site of large underground caves and fresh water lagoons. The Tainos, the island Pre-Columbus inhabitants used the caves and lagoons for religious purposes. Faro de Colon, built in the shape of a cross also projects a cross shaped beam of light into the sky at night. The city is famous for having so many restaurants that is impossible to cover them all even for locals. When we lived in Puerto Rico we used to come to “La Republica”, as we affectionately call the country, and eat and drank to satiety. Shopping is also an important part of your visit. Many World known chains have opened in Santo Domingo, bringing the latest fashions to the island. Great designers like Oscar de la Renta are proud Dominicans. Search our site and the web
Aerial view of Boca Chica Beach near the Capital
Dominican Republic Beaches Like in the rest of the country, the capital Santo Domingo Dominican Republic, is also surrounded by beautiful beaches. Go east and you’ll find the resort town of Boca Chica, very popular with locals and tourist to Santo Domingo. Further east are La Romana with its state of the art Resort of Casa de Campo. If you continue east, then you start to go around the island and see more great punta-cana.html">Punta Cana Dominican Republic, Puerto Plata, Sosua, Cabarete and many more. From the capital if you go west towards the Haitian border you arrive at Palenque and Nizao Beach. And if you hear north towards the city of Santiago de los Caballeros you will pass the cities of Bonao and Jarabacoa and the Cibao Region. Getting there Las Americas International Airport is located about 30 minutes drive east of the city. It is a busy airport handling flights from most cities in North America, the Caribbean, South America and Europe. You’ll be surprised to see at one time planes of Air France, American Airlines, Lufthansa, COPA, and so many that it is unnecessary to mention them all.
The First Cathedral built in the Americas Getting around If you arrive individually your best choices are either renting a car or going by taxi. Driving a rental car is easy and locals are very friendly helping the tourists to get around. Taxis abound at the airport. They will take you anywhere you need in the capital. Although prices are fix by authorities, please make sure that you have agreed on the price with your taxi driver. Bus transportation is mainly used by locals. I personally do not recommend it. No matter what is the purpose of your visit, business o tourism you will enjoy this capital city of Santo Domingo Dominican Republic. Hear my advice, eat lots of “Tostones” and “Mangu”, drink Dominican rum with moderation and don’t forget to dance the Merengue. This is what I would do right now if I was there.
From Santo Domingo Dominican Republic go to Republica Dominicana
|
