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Santo Domingo
Why choose Santo Domingo? Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic is the home of the oldest establishments in the area and is the oldest city in the Dominican Republic. Walking the cobblestones street of the city you will be walking in the footsteps of the first colonialists that helped to make this city what it is today.

No other city in the Caribbean has a greater variety of restaurants and night life. There are so many restaurants in this city that it is practically impossible even for those who live here to have visited them all. And it's a city that never sleeps. A great place to meet people. A lot of young single executives who come here to work end up leaving (if they leave) married to a Dominican.

Santo Domingo has great shopping. Major chains from all around the world have opened branches here and more will be opening soon. Discount stores offer great prices on designer brands, the leading shops offer clearance sales several times a year and there are many designer shops for more exclusive wear.

Santo Domingo is the most bustling and diverse city in the Caribbean. It has a population of over three million inhabitants within the city and the Province of Santo Domingo and sprawls out over 250 square kilometers.

When? It is possible to enjoy a Santo Domingo holiday any time of year because the city, like the rest of the Dominican Republic, enjoys a hot, sunny, tropical climate, somewhat tempered by sea breezes. The rainy season is between May and November, but showers are short and sharp and should not interfere with holiday fun.

Who for? Party people who enjoy a wild night out and days relaxing on the palm-fringed Malecon (promenade) will relish a holiday in Santo Domingo, as well as those interested in the history of Columbus and the conquistadors.

Get in
By plane:

Las Americas International Airport

Located just 20 KM to the east of the Capital of Dominican Republic you can find the main airport of this beautiful country. Las Americas International Airport also known as International Airport José Francisco Peña Gómez on behalf of ex political leader of Partido Revolucionario Dominicano (PRD). This airport is number one in passengers flow in Dominican Republic.

At entering the airport you must pass by the immigration area where you must pay tourist card (which has to be shown at leaving the country); it costs US$10; this card is normally made for a 15 days staying but if you plan to stay longer you have to inform this to Immigration Officer who must, in such case, extend the period to a 90 days staying

This airport has international arrivals and departures from almost all countries of the world such as The United States, Mexico, London, Mexico, Spain, ect. The most famous airlines around the world are also found here such as Iberia, American Air-lines, United Airways and many others.

Concerning transportation, the airport has taxi services and the possibility for you to rent a car. Las Americas International Airport is known as the safest airport in the Caribbean.

Ferries: Ferries between Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic

Ferries del Caribe offer ferries three times a week between Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, and Mayagüez, Puerto Rico. The journey takes about 12 hours. From Santo Domingo they leave Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays at 8 PM, and arrive in Mayagüez at 8 AM the following morning. From Mayagüez, Puerto Rico, they leave on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 8 PM, and arrive in Santo Domingo at 8 AM the following morning. It costs around US $250 roundtrip and the overnight journey last 12 hours. For an additional fee, you can bring your car along for the ride. The company is called Ferries del Caribe

Get around
Dominican Republic Transportation The Dominican Republic is a wonderful tropical island of sandy beaches, rolling mountain ranges, majestic waterfalls and cool freshwater rivers. Its natural aesthetics are breathtaking and its history and culture fascinating. But with so much to experience, how does one get around?

Renting a car

The most obvious way to get around the Santo Domingo is to rent a car. For those willing to do this, the right vehicle can take you to many of the parts of the Santo Domingo which you would not be able to experience otherwise. It is important that you do have the right vehicle, as road conditions can be poor as you get further away from the highly populated cities and rural towns and explore the more remote parts of the country.

The rules of the road are structured similarly to North America in that one is supposed to drive on the right side of the road but soon after you begin driving, you will discover that basic driving laws are not strictly enforced and Dominicans frequently ignore traffic signs and signals and follow their own set of rules. As a result, you have to be aware of those driving around you and adapt accordingly. However, most people soon get the hang of driving.

Buses

If you are not interested in renting a vehicle, a terrific, cost-effective way to get around is on a tour bus. The two major tour bus operators in the country are Caribe Tours and Metro Bus. Both of these operators have buses running on regular, reliable schedules that reach all parts of the country. From Santo Domingo to Puerto Plata to Monte Christi to the Samana peninsula and so many places in between, Carribe and Metro tours is a great option for transportation.

Their buses are air-conditioned (you might want to bring a sweater), comfortable and make regular stops along the way so that you can get out and stretch your legs or get a quick bite to eat or a refreshment. Riding in the buses is also a great way to view the beautiful scenery along the way. The prices are generally considered very economical. Taxis

Taxis

Taxia are a quick, reliable way to get around Santo Domingo. All the major airports have privately owned taxis waiting to take you wherever you need to go and in most of the major towns, you will have a local taxi company at your disposal. Santo Domingo has an excellent private taxi system and getting around the city in a taxi is fairly inexpensive.

A call to one of the many companies listed in the Yellow Pages will get a car to you 24 hours-a-day, and usually in less than five minutes. Don’t wait much longer than that, either call again or try another company. You can order your car with air-conditioning or even be picky and request a driver who speaks English. Also, if you find a driver who you are happy with, you can ask him for his card and request him directly in the future. When dealing with taxis, speaking Spanish is really not necessary. As long as you know your destination, your driver will get you there.

See
Faro a Colon - Columbus Lighthouse Though Christopher Columbus died in Spain, it was his wish that his body be buried in the Dominican Republic. His remains now lie in the Columbus Lighthouse on Eastern Shore of the Ozama River. This impressive monument was completed in 1992 marking the 500th anniversary of Columbus's arrival to the Americas. As well as the lighthouse that shines up into the night sky to form a giant cross that can be seen from miles away, you will find a museum and the Columbus mausoleum.

Los Tres Ojos National Park A visit to this park is an almost otherworldly experience. Los Tres Ojos is a series of huge natural caverns dotted with fresh water lagoons of different sizes and depths. There is also a mysterious sulfuric lake rumored to be bottomless in an extinguished volcanic crater. The caves are decorated by an array of stalactites and stalagmites. The pre-Columbian Taino Indians used the site for religious ceremonies

Plaza de la Cultura From the old to the new, Santo Domingo takes visitors on a trip through time with its dozens of national museums celebrating all aspects of Dominican life, past and present. Many of these museums are located in the Plaza de la Cultura, a large park area where visitors can stroll easily from one museum to another. They include The Museum of Dominican Man, the Museum of Modern Art, the National Museum of History and Geography, and the National Museum of Natural History. Visitors to the Museum of Dominican Man will enjoy the fascinating look into the history of the Dominican people including original Taino artifacts, the Spanish conquerors and the African slaves. The Museum of Modern Art has an impressive collection although small by developed world standards.

Sports City After celebrating the 2003 Panamerican Sports Games, Santo Domingo boasts the Caribbean's best sports facilities. These are located at the Juan Pablo Duarte Olympic Center and the Mirador del Este Sports Park. International competitions are booked at these venues year round.

Do
Juan Dolio- Just 45 minutes from Santo Domingo, the beach at Juan Dolio provides a long stretch of sand and crushed coral for sunbathing or playing volleyball or beach football

La Caleta- La Caleta presents scuba divers with excellent options during vacations in Santo Domingo. Small islands off the coast, along with a coral reef, make the beach's waters less rough than in some areas, so underwater sightseeing is especially safe.

Museo de Arte Moderno- Santo Domingo's Museum of Modern Art features paintings and sculpture by national and international artists. There is, of course, a heavy focus on Dominican Republic artists, but creations by international masters are sometimes highlighted in exhibitions.

Santa Maria La Encarnation Cathedral- Oldest church in the Western hemisphere and currently is an active Roman Catholic church.

Museum of Royal House- The Museum of Royal house has an extensive collection of armor and antique weaponry along with a re-creation of a 17th Century court room.

El Malecon- El Malecón runs for 15 kilometers along the Caribbean shore. The middle stretch of this street is reserved for casual strolling, family outings, and simple sightseeing. Visitors enjoy the ice cream parlors and restaurants, plus the hot nightlife in several bars and discos. In fact, El Malecón might be described as an open-air disco in itself. In keeping with the party spirit of its businesses, Carnival and July's Merengue Festival are held here.

Nightlife People-watching at the cafes and bars, many of them open air. Dancing merengue, salsa, bachata and even rock until the early morning in discos and night clubs. Casino gambling until dawn in hotel casinos.

Santo Domingo has its fair share of casinos, international theatre, music and dance performances, the finest of them performing at the National Theater. For what's happening, see our Calendar Page

A city for young people, every evening hundreds of young executives congregate for drinks at the many bars and cafes in the city, many located at the Avenida Abraham Lincoln, Gustavo Mejia Ricart and Roberto Pastoriza or on the Malecon.

The nightlife starts late, with people arriving at the discos after 11 pm and the merengue, salsa and rock beats don’t stop until around 4 am at upscale dance clubs in town. Newcomers to the city should visit the Guacara Taina, a famous multi-level dance club set in a massive underground cave in the Mirador del Sur Park. Or live orchestra music nights at Jet Set Disco at Av. Independencia in front of Presidente beer brewery

Eco-Tourism - Find your way to the Parque Mirador Sur, an impressive park overlooking the coast. From there, visit the Jardin Botanico, a vast, beautiful and lush park situated near one of Santo Domingo's most exclusive neighborhoods.

Shopping
Santo Domingo is a city for shoppers, with several large shopping centers offering a wide selection of almost everything. The Mercado Modelo at Avenida Mella, a farmer's market turned into giant gift shop, offers the largest selection of handicrafts. Several gift shops are located on Arzobispo Merino and Isabel la Catolica in the Colonial City. Shopping venues are located in the 27 de Febrero to Gustavo Mejia Ricart environs, including Plaza Central, Plaza Lama, Plaza Naco, Americana Departamentos, Hache, Acropolis, Plaza Bolera, Cuesta, Bella Vista, Diamond large stores. There is a sprinkling of small shops located all along Winston Churchill and Abraham Lincoln avenues. Or visit the Conde Street pedestrian mall and the lively Duarte Avenue, or the Luperon Avenue shopping district, among others.

Plaze del Conde

A pedestrian street,the Calle El Conde is a shopper’s delight. Artwork, jewelry, and native crafts can be purchased for reasonable prices- and bargaining for the best price is a tradition. Larimar, a precious turquoise stone found only in the Dominican Republic, is worked into many pieces of jewelry here as is Dominican amber.

Malls If you want to experience American-style shopping there are plenty of options but here are the three most popular: Plaza Central, Acropolis Center and MegaCentro. .

Eat
Dominican Republic food offers a variety of treat for every meal such as mangu for breakfast, which is nothing, more than a cheese, bacon, and plantains often referred to as the whipped potatoes of the Dominican Republic. Other delightful Dominican Republic food that you can find at many restaurants throughout the area include Sancocho, which is a stew created with roots, plantains, chicken or beef, and avocado, chicharrones de pollo, which is deep fried diced chicken, and ropo viega, which is fried shredded beef with rice and salad.

When it comes to unique and delicious Dominican cuisine, you must visit one of the most popular Dominican Republic restaurants in Santo Domingo. The unique restaurant, El Meson de la Cava is actually at home in a cave. Here you can enjoy traditional Dominican Republic food such as calamari, stewed conch, and a few delectable desserts like arroz con dulce.

What to eat:

Mangu

Sanchoncho

Asopao

Mofongo

La Bandera Dominicana/the Dominican Flag (La Bandera recipe), is beans/ habichuelas and rice/ arroz, meat/ carne, and a salad/ ensalada.

proper Dominican meal is not complete without dessert. In a land abundant with sugar cane, most desserts are exceptionally sweet. Cakes, puddings, caramel-dipped fruits and creams are common.

Some of these desserts include:

•"arroz con leche" (rice pudding) •"mango cake" •"flan" •"dulce de leche" (milk cream flavored with coconut or fruit) •"dulce de coco" (thick, sweet coconut paste) •"helados bon" (ice cream shops with tropical sherberts, macadamia, coconut and rum flavored ice creams) •"bizcochos" (cakes with white cream topping) •"frio frios" (shaved ice with fruit syrups) •"aqua de coco" (sliced coconuts mixed with sugar cane juice and native fruits of the island such as mangoes, pineapples, oranges, bananas and plantains)

Drink
Brewed in Santo Domingo, Presidente is the DR's most popular beer and is served at just about every establishment in the country.

Presidente Beer The Presidente brand of beer has become a symbol of national pride, and in its 71-year history has become the beer of choice for Dominicans. ‘Una fria,” or a cold one, has become a patriotic symbol, something intrinsically Dominican.

MamaJuana A "miracle" potion developed in the DR, Mamajuana is a concoction of various herbs, roots, leaves and bark that is mixed with rum, gin, wine, honey and lemon to cure everything from impotency to the stomach flu. If the taste can be tolerated, Mamajuana is used to promote overall good health, sexuality and vitality. Only a handful of families still brew the mixture

Coffee

Travelers to the Caribbean know that the region is among the best in the world for strong-bodied specialty coffees. The DR is no exception. Its position in the tropics, rainfall levels, and fertile soil make it an ideal location for growing organic coffee beans that provide great taste and a rich aroma

The infamous Coco-Loco drink, made with the juice of a real coconut, is perfect for vacationers who are do not like to drink alcoholic drinks.

Sleep
Renaissance Jaragua Hotel & Casino Renaissance Jaragua Hotel & Casino is just 30 minutes from the Santo Domingo International Airport and five minutes from the historic colonial zone, shopping, museums and cultural attractions. This Santo Domingo hotel offers something for everyone, a world class spa and health club, luxurious guest accommodations, a fabulous casino, live shows, state of the art meeting facilities and a business center.

Phone: 1 (809) 221 2222

Courtyard by Marriot Santo Domingo Hotel Centrally located in Santo Domingo, this hotel is near the National Palace,the official home of the President of Dominican Republic, Leonel Fernandez.

Phone 1(809) 685-1010

Hilton Santo Domingo The Hilton Santo Domingo is the newest addition to Hilton’s business hotel collection. Its just 30 minutes away from Santo Domingo Las Americas International airport. It is located on El Malecon, Santo Domingo’s ocean-view boulevard, the hotel includes 228 mostly oceanfront guest rooms, all with high-speed Internet access and floor-to-ceiling windows, showcasing views of the Caribbean Sea.

Phone 1(809) 685-0000

Melia Santo Domingo

The Meliá Santo Domingo hotel was designed with the needs of business and leisure travelers in mind. Located in the heart of Santo Domingo and with spectacular views of the Caribbean Sea, the hotel has become a popular destination for business people, leisure travelers and even the local residents.

Phone 1 (809)685-1834

Contact
For information concerning entry and exit requirements, travelers may contact the Embassy of the Dominican Republic at 1715 22nd Street NW, Washington, DC 20008, tel. (202) 332-6280

The Embassy of the United States in the Dominican Republic

Cesar Nicolas Penson esq. Leopoldo Navarro, Telephone: 809 221-2171, Fax 809 686-7437 Workweek: 0800-1645