Santo Domingo GUIDE Welcome from the Dominican Republic Minister of Tourism

Bienvenidos a la República Dominicana!

On behalf of the Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism, it is a pleasure to welcome you to Santo Domingo, the Dominican Republic’s capital city and the first city in the Americas. Santo Domingo is lovingly called the Cradle of the Americas because exploration of the New World originated from our Colonial City, located inside the modern and sophisticated Santo Domingo we know today.

Santo Domingo de Guzman was founded by Governor Bartholomew Columbus in August 1496. With over 500 years of spirited Dominican culture, Santo Domingo’s assets are especially unique and offer the world a living testament to the past that formed us as a nation.

The oldest part of the city is known as the Colonial City, where visitors can explore the Alcázar de Colón, Columbus’ home, as well as visit the first cathedral, university and hospital of the Americas. Here historic buildings rest along cobblestone streets once strolled by Spanish conquistadors. The legendary city has a wealth of museums, monuments and restaurants, set among the larger city’s modern amenities such as the new Metro transportation system, state-of-the-art cruise ship terminals, savory cuisine, unique shopping, architecture and more.

Resting on the Caribbean Sea, Santo Domingo is now a sophisticated center of commerce with 2.3 million residents, dozens of world-class museums, theater, arts and historic sites like the Columbus Lighthouse. With two major airports, highways and seaports, Santo Domingo serves as gateway to 1,000 miles of stunning DR coastline, dazzling mountains studded with waterfalls, exotic cuisine, and countless arts and entertainment options.

Dominican Republic has it all for visitors: unspoiled beaches, top-ranked championship golf, world-class sports, exciting nightlife and countless opportunities for eco-tourism and adventure. We invite you to discover the many diverse facets of Dominican Republic. Please enjoy your visit as much as we enjoy sharing our island nation with you.

Sincerely,

Francisco Javier García Minister of Tourism Dominican Republic TOP 10 Santo Domingo GUIDE

Our Cover: Check your list! San Nicolás de Bari Ruins Photo: Ministry of Tourism

This is a special edition published by Pro RD,S.A./DR1Guides for the Alcázar de Colón Malecón Ministry of Tourism of the Built for Christopher Columbus’ son A 14-km maritime boulevard fringed Dominican Republic. 1 1510-1512 to lodge the King of Spain’s 6 by palm trees, with benches for sitting Av. Cayetano Germosén & niece and impress on fellow Europeans and admiring the Caribbean Sea. Av. Luperón, Santo Domingo, his status as royalty. The Monarchial Dominican Republic palace frames the Plaza de España and Polígono Central 809 221-4660 its collection of restaurants. Mejía Ricart, Pastoriza, Churchill & All contents © DR1Guides 7 Lincoln are passwords for city avenues Gustavo Mejía Ricart 119B-408, Catedral Primada de América in the center of the modern city’s Santo Domingo, Rep. Dominicana 2 The first cathedral in the Americas, bustling Polígono Central neighbor- Tel 809 565-6510 consecrated in 1540, built primarily in the hoods. “In” shops, restaurants, BalletCulture Clásico Nacional Gothic style, hosts inspirational choral cafes and nightspots keep the vibe Editorial Director: “Colores de la Danza” evenings for Easter Sunday and going day and night. Dolores Vicioso is in the air [email protected] Christmas Day. The cathedral is the Check it out, there is always something happening in backdrop to the picture-perfect Avenida Venezuela Sales: Santo Domingo. The most vibrant city in the Caribbean, Parque Colón, one of the best-loved Large discos and regular performances 8 Liliana Abel Santo Domingo is the birthplace of the Americas. The urban spaces in Santo Domingo. of Dominican salsa, merengue and [email protected] bachata bands is the trademark of this leading university town and the city with most museums in Jardín Botánico area that is popular with Dominicans Graphic Design: Central America and the Caribbean, it features culture and Because of its size, flora diversity and yet hardly known by tourists. 20 min- Sasha de Lemos entertainment for all ages. 3 beauty, it is popular with locals for early utes from Sans Souci Port and the air- [email protected] Dominicans are some of the world’s most open and morning and afternoon walks. port, on the Boca Chica side of the city. Baldomero Quezada [email protected] hospitable people. Socializing is a national pastime and this Mercado Modelo Casa de Teatro sets the tone in the capital city, marked by thousands of Internet Director: restaurants, bars and colmadones, the local pubs. Visitors are Former green market turned arts Center of bohemian life in Santo Robert Woolford 4 and crafts center. It’s a labyrinth of 9 Domingo, stage for up-and-coming invited to join in. [email protected] small shops for a leisurely stroll to artists and old-time great peformers At the close of 2010 Santo Domingo was named the most find a memorable souvenir. with a hip bar to boot. successful American Capital of Culture of all times. This is truly Though every effort has a city of events every day, every weekend, every month. Faro a Colón Palacio de Bellas Artes been made to present the Use this guide as a checklist and introduction to Christopher Columbus’ remains are The Palace of the Fine Arts is home to information accurately, exploring what the city has to offer. Our website, dr1.com 5 located here, enshrined in a bronze 10 the national schools of the visual arts, content and pricing keeps you posted on what is happening in Santo Domingo. and marble monument and insights ballet, dance, folklore and drama. Av. contained in this guide into the DR’s Hispanic heritage. Máximo Gómez & Independencia. are subject to change. See dr1.com/calendar Inside

The Sights 09 Historical sites and places to go

KEY Dominican Republic Highway/autopista # kms. between Cities/kms. entre ciudades Main Road/via principal Cruise Port/Puerto de crucero Colonial City + Secondary Road/Via secundaria Protected Area/Área protegida Ocean/Sea/River/Lake - Océano/Mar/Río/Lago Cayos Bahía de Caution/precaución Cayo Arena Montecristi Playa Siete Punta Pastilla City and Town/Ciudad y pueblo International Airport/Aeropuerto internacional Hermanos Popy Playa Buen (Paraíso) Hombre Playa La Playa Cofresí

Playa El Morro Playa Ensenada La Luperón Playa Maimón Point of Interest/Punto de interés Domestic Airport/Aeropuerto doméstico Costambar Playa Juan Bolaños MONTECRISTI Punta Rucia Isabela Ocean World Aeropuerto Gregorio Luperón (POP) Costa Dorada

Estero Balsa Loma Isabel Playa Dorada Sosua ª1303%4" ESDPN t5FM de Torres 20 115 Imbert Playa Encuentro Bahía de Villa Parque PUERTO

25 Cabarete Playa Caletón Playa Grande

Nacional Los Damajagua Playa El Bretón Manzanillo Vásquez PLATA Laguna Gri-Gri Pepillo Salcedo Estero Hondo Hidalgos 70 Monte Sabaneta Llano Parque El Choco Guananico Altamira de Yásica 70

Villa Cabrera errenas NORTH & Laguna Rio Elisa Gaspar Parque Playa Diamante NORTHWEST Salada 60 Navarrete Sonador Jamao San Juan Villa al Norte Hernández Nacional Playa La Entrada MAO Esperanza González Cabo Francés OCÉANO ATLÁNTICO DAJABÓN La Cumbre Viejo Beyond the Zone Los Quemados Aeropuerto Internacional Atlantic Ocean SANTIAGO del Cibao (STI) Reserva Científica

SABANETA alle Puerto MOCA Loma Quita Espuela

Aeropuerto El Portillo (EPS) Escondido Loma de NAGUA Monción Matancita SALCEDO Aeropuerto El Catey(AZS) Santo Las T Las Terrenas/Playa Playa Punta Popy

35 El Portillo

Cabrera Pozo de Bojolo SAN FRANCISCO Playa Bonita Cerro El Factor Playa Cosón Playa Rincón Villa DE MACORÍS Salto Playa El V Playa Las Galeras San José Jánico El Limón Tapia 70 65 Rancho Restauración de las Matas Español 50 LA Castillo El Pozo SAMANÁ Parque Nacional VEGA El CENTRAL 40 Pimentel Catey Sánchez Aerop. J. Armando Bermúdez 30 Arroyo Barril (DAB) Playa Los Cacaos Cayo Levantado Haiti JARABACOA NORTHEAST Bahía de Samaná Puerto Bahía Fantino Pico Duarte 40 Carretera de Sam Sabana de la Mar Pedro Santana Parque Nacional Manabao Caño La Playa Esmeralda Punta Limón José del Carmen Ramírez Hondo Laguna Bánica COTUÍ Redonda Ciénaga Reserva Científica Las Cañitas Laguna Ébano Verde BONAO Miches Limón Playa Nisibón aná Parque Nacional La Mina Maimón Las Matas 73 Los Haitises 35 Botanical Gardens de Farfán CONSTANZA Aeropuerto de MONTE 45 85 Constanza (COZ) PLATA 50 SAN JUAN DE SOUTHCENTRAL Reserva Científica Playa Uvero Alto LA MAGUANA ELÍAS Piedra Lagunas Redonda Playa Macao PIÑA y Limón Blanca Yamasá Playa Arena Gorda Autopista Duarte Bayaguana HATO EL SEIBO Playa El Cortecito Cruce de Playa Bávaro MAYOR La Otra los Isleños Villa Playa Cabeza de Toro Altagracia 45 Banda Aerop. Internacional Verón Aerop. Internacional 85 40 60 Sabana Larga 85 La Isabela (JBQ) HIGÜEY de Punta Cana (PUJ) La EAST & SOUTHEAST Cruce de Descubierta San José Los Cacaos Pedro SANTO Verón Punta Cana JIMANÍ Postrer Guerra Aerop. Internacional Cap Cana Rio Villa SOUTHWEST de Ocoa La Colonia Brand DOMINGO SAN PEDRO Expr DE MACORÍS La Romana (LRM) San Rafael Jaragua Cambita eso mér vía del Es Garabito 30 L as A icas to te 35 de Yuma Casa Ponce de León AZUA Au Lago Enriquillo Autopista 6 de Noviembre 41 LA ROMANA El Limón 33 NEIBA Vicente 80 Parque SAN CRISTÓBAL La Playita Duvergé Noble Caracoles Haina Cabo San Rafael Nacional 55 res Ojos Boca Tamayo Cuevas del Pomier La Caleta Isla Cabritos Canoa Parque de Yuma Playa Palmar 35 Faro a Colón Laguna Los T Nacional Puerto del Rincón de Ocoa Sabana del Este Bahía

El Malecón Buey BANÍ Playa Caribe Playa Najayo Escondido Bahía Playa Palmilla de Yuma Casa de Campo Altos de Chavón de Neiba Sombrero Paya Playa Juan Dolio Playa Guayacanes

Cabral Playa Playa Cumayasa Playa Boca Chica Isla Catalina El Cachón Matanzas Playa Nizao Cueva Las Maravillas Parque Nacional Polo Playa Blanca Playa Las Las Palenque

BARAHONA Puerto de La Romana Playa Bayahibe

Playa Monte Rio Isla Catalinita Sierra de Bahoruco magnético Salinas Calderas

Polo Playa Dominicus Mano Hoyo de Aeropuerto María Montez (BRX) Isla Saona Pelempito Aerop. Las Américas (SDQ) Juan Dunas de Baní PEDERNALES Playa San Rafael Paraíso Playa El Quemaito Aerop. Cuevas de las Maravillas (SPM) Playa Los Patos Aeropuerto de Caletón Enriquillo Cabo Rojo (CBJ) 135 Playa Cabo Rojo Parque Playa Bahía de Nacional Oviedo MAR CARIBE Las Aguilas Jaragua Laguna de Oviedo Caribbean Sea Shopping 21 Maps What to buy and where to go Colonial City Malls & Shops City Map 10 to Take Beaches DR National Map Dining 24 Restaurants, cafes and eateries What’s Cooking Santo Domingo Chinatown, Bon Ice Cream List of Restaurants 7 to taste Nights 31 Genuinely Bars, clubs and nightspots Dominican Tropical Nights Night Spots

The Basics 35 Useful info City of Events Weather More reasons Money Matters to visit Government

Beaches & Golf 39 Boca Chica, Guayacanes, Juan Dolio Fried Fish Transportation Tee Off Taxi, car, bus Travel time box The Santo Domingo Guide is full of outstanding SDQ flights places where you may be inspired. But this is a reminder to be open to the little things that can make you smile and will brighten your day, those Wow! moments. The Sights

Colonial City Where the Americas began

Plaza de España

Declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO 2 El Conde in 1991, the Colonial City of Santo Domingo is Eight-block pedestrian bohemian-vibe street 16 square blocks laid out in a grid system be- lined by Art Deco buildings loaded with small tween forts. La Zona, as it is commonly called, shops. Grab a Bon ice cream at the start or has many claims to colonial era fame – Ameri- midway and stroll at leisure to appreciate the ca’s first cathedral, hospital, palace, paved street, outstanding first half 20th century architecture university, monastery and more. Today it comes (look up to the balconies). very much alive at night with a selection of discount on your pubs, restaurants and small theaters. Because it 3 Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de las 10% is very walkable, the Colonial City has a big fol- Mercedes bill by presenting this ad lowing. Numbered monuments are listed in the Completed in 1555 and dedicated to our Lady of order of a walking tour (see Colonial City Map, Mercedes, named patron of the DR in 1617. Im- pages 14-15). pressive bell tower, the biggest in the city. Mass Mon-Sat 5:30pm-6:15pm, Sun at 9:30, 11am and 7pm. Las Mercedes & Jose Reyes, 809 682-3744.

4 Iglesia Regina Angelorum Imposing late Gothic structure with gargoyles and buttresses, the church houses the remains of Padre Billini, the philanthropist who discovered Columbus’ bones. Mass Sunday 6pm-6:30pm. Padre Billini & José Reyes, 809 682-2783. Puerta del Conde 5 Convento de los Dominicos 1 Puerta del Conde Built in 1510, this was the first site of the New The Count’s Gate marks the spot where the World’s oldest university (1538), now the Uni- founders of the Republic proclaimed indepen- versidad Autónoma de Santo Domingo (UASD). dence from Haiti on 27 February 1844. The gate From its pulpit, Fray Antón de Montesinos be- leads into Independence Park whose perimeter came the first to denounce colonial violations of fence doubles as the city’s largest outdoor arts human rights in the Americas, when he spoke Atarazana #21, Zona and photography gallery. Independencia & Palo out against the treatment of the Taino Indians. Mediterranean Italian Wood oven pizza Colonial • 809.686.3586 Hincado. Padre Billini & Av. Duarte, 809 682-3780.

8 Santo Domingo Guide dr1.com 9 The Sights The Sights

6 Casa de Tostado 11 Hostal Nicolás de Ovando the King of Spain. At the time, the Alcázar was Built around 1520 for Governor Nicolás de Overlooking the Ozama River, this manor was the center of the Spanish court in the Americas, Ovando’s wealthy scribe Francisco Tostado. It is once the home of Nicolás de Ovando, first gov- and the palace hosted the legendary Spanish distinguished by the Gothic decoration of the ernor of Santo Domingo. Today a luxury hotel. explorers Hernán Cortés, Francisco Pizarro and twin window, unique in the Americas. Today a Las Damas. 809 685-9955 Ponce de León. Today the Alcázar showcases museum showcasing the way the wealthy lived authentic Medieval and Renaissance furniture in the 19th century. Mon-Sat 9am-4pm. 12 Museo de las Casas Reales and objects depicting domestic life of 16th Arzobispo Meriño & Padre Billini, 809 689-5000. Exhibits of Dominican history from 1492-1821. century Spanish nobility in the Americas. Tue- Originally administrative center of the West Sat 9am-5pm. Sun 9am-4-pm. Closed Mondays. 7 Catedral Primada de América View of the Parque Colón Indies, housing the Royal Court, Treasury, Plaza de España, 809 682-4750. Governor’s Office and law courts in the 1500s. Calle Las Damas Tue-Sun 9am-5pm. Las Damas, 809 682-4202. The oldest paved street in the New World. Built in 1502, it acquired its name with the arrival of Diego Columbus and his wife Maria de Toledo in 1509. With them came family members and court members who strolled up and down the street in their finery.

9 Fortaleza Ozama Today site of the Museo de Armas, a military museum, some of its structures date as far back as 1503. At the center is the 5-floor high Torre del Homenaje with its 6ft thick walls and a lookout Catedral Primada de América platform. Adjacent is a children’s museum, Tram- polín. 9am-6pm. Sat & Sun 10-7pm. Las Damas, Inside the Museo de la Casas Reales Oldest in the Americas, planned by Alonso Ro- 809 685-5551. Alcázar de Colón dríguez, the architect who later designed the Mexico City cathedral. Begun in 1514 and com- 13 Casa del Cordón 16 Puerta de San Diego pleted in 1540. Its modern stained glass win- Completed in 1504, it is the oldest stone house Down the steps from the Alcázar de Colón are dows, by Dominican artist Jose Rincón Mora, in the Americas. Originally owned by Francisco the ruins of the San Diego Gate built in Renais- were donated by the Archbishop of Munich, de Garay who arrived with Columbus. There is sance style in 1540. For a time, this was the main Cardinal Friedrich Wetter. Mon-Sat 9am-4pm, an impressive stone carving of the character- gate to the city. Mass Mon-Sat 5pm, Sun 12pm & 5pm. No mass istic cord of the Franciscan order on its portal. Tue. Arzobispo Meriño & Arzobispo Nouel, Banco Popular offices are located there. Mon-Fri 17 Iglesia de Santa Bárbara 809 682-3848. 9am-4pm. Isabel la Católica & Emiliano Tejera, Built during the late 16th century to honor the 809 544-8915. military’s patron saint. Open only for mass: Mon- 8 Parque Colón Sat 6pm-6:45pm. Sun 8am-9am, 9am-10am. Located beside the Cathedral, this square is 14 Plaza de España Isabel la Católica, 809 682-3307. surrounded by eclectic architecture (colonial, What was once the center of colonial power republican and modern) with plenty of shady and trade with a mix of merchants, sailors and 18 Museo Casa de Duarte trees, pigeons, sidewalk cafes and a great peo- Fortaleza Ozama Spanish high officials, is today a large romantic Once the house of Juan Pablo Duarte, the coun- ple-watching mix of tourists and locals, especial- plaza replete with restaurants, bars and steps try’s founding father. He led the movement ly on Sundays and late afternoons. The centered 10 Panteón Nacional overlooking the Alcazar de Colón. that brought independence from Haiti in 1844. bronze monument with statues of Christopher Built in 1714-1745 as a Jesuit convent, later Mon-Fri 8am-6pm, Sat-Sun 9am-4pm. Columbus and Taino Indian heroine Anacaona, warehouse and cultural center. In 1956, it was 15 Alcázar de Colón Isabel la Católica, 809 687-1436. by French sculptor Ernesto Guilbert, dates back designated the National Pantheon for historical The Columbus Palace was built (1510-1512) by to 1887, giving the space its name today. figures behind its stone walls. 8am-5:45pm. Christopher Columbus’ son Diego, appointed Museo del Ron y la Caña Las Damas, 809 689-6010. Viceroy of the Indies to house the stately court Rum producers have come together to tell the he held with his wife María de Toledo, niece of story of rum and sugar cane production in the

10 Santo Domingo Guide dr1.com 11 The Sights The Sights

DR. Mon-Sat 9am-5pm. Closed Sunday. Isabel la Museo Memorial de la Resistencia Godfather II”. It forms the backdrop to the scene 24 Parque Independencia Católica & Restauración, 809 685-5111. Dominicana where Michael Corleone witnesses a suicide Home to the Altar de la Patria, a marble mau- Opened in May 2011, it showcases the facts and bombing in 1958 Cuba, leading him to recon- soleum containing the remains of the nation’s Museo de Larimar consequences of the struggles of several gen- sider family business there. Walk down the founding fathers: Juan Pablo Duarte, Ramón A museum and store dedicated to Larimar, a erations of Dominican men and women, mainly cobblestone streets after you visit the Ruinas de Matías Mella and Francisco del Rosario Sánchez. rare pale-blue colored semi-precious stone during the 30-year Rafael L. Trujillo dictatorship San Francisco. The compass in the park’s center is Kilometer 0, found only in the DR. Mon-Sat 8:30am-6pm, (1930-1961). Open Tue to Sun 9:30am-6pm. from which all distances in the country are mea- Sun 9am-1pm. Isabel la Católica, 809 689-6605. Arzobispo Nouel 210 in the Colonial City, 22 Monumento de Fray Antón de sured. The Mausoleum is open daily 7:30am- 809 563-3463 Montesinos 6pm. This park is popular for its outdoor arts & Centro Cultural de las The 30-meter high statue was donated by the photography gallery. Telecomunicaciones government of Mexico and is dedicated to the The history of TV, radio and telecommunica- 16th century priest who preached against the tions in the Dominican Republic. State-of-the- atrocities being committed against the Taino art museum just opened in July 2011. Open Indians. His rage is depicted by the flames in his Tue to Thu 9am to 5pm, Fri & Sat, 9am to 9pm, hair. Located at the westernmost entrance to Sun 10am to 6pm. Isabel la Católica & Emiliano the Port of Santo Domingo, where the Malecón Tejera, 809 732-5555. starts.

23 Puerta de la Misericordia Ruinas de San Francisco Gate of Mercy. Built in 1543, and named following the 1842 earthquake when local priests 20 Ruinas de San Francisco set up tents to help the injured. Ramón Matías With its lovely Plateresque gate, with St. Francis’ Mella fired the first shot here before proclaiming cord carved in stone intact, this became the independence from Haiti on 27 February 1844. Altar de la Patria, Parque Independencia first monastery in the Americas when Francis- Palo Hincado & Arzobispo Portes. can monks arrived in 1502. The present stone structure was built from 1543-1664. Open daily 9am-5pm. Hostos between Emiliano Tejera & Restauración, 809 686-8657.

Centro Cultural de Telecomunicaciones 19 Museo del Ambar Visitors can see a range of samples of amber, fossil resin, some with trapped insects, leaves and even lizards. Mon-Sat 8:30am-6pm, Sun 9am-1pm. Arzobispo Meriño & Restauración, 809 682-3309. Amber World Museum Hospital San Nicolás de Bari 21 Hospital San Nicolás de Bari The ruins of the first hospital in the New World, constructed in 1503. Hostos & General Luperón.

Calle Hostos Calle Hostos is famous among movie buffs for its part of the 1974 Hollywood classic “The 12 Santo Domingo Guide dr1.com 13 © 2011 PRO RD S.A. (dr1.com) Email: [email protected] • Tel. 809.769.9560 From this From ers Built around 1520 for Built around Ciudad Colonial iv ea/R raffic Flow Ciudad Colonial Ciudad Sightseeing S Pedestrian street T Bridge Chu Colonial Theaters Parks/plazas Y Mar Caribe (Caribbean Sea) Mar (Caribbean Caribe 6 12 18 24 Casa de Tostado. Casa de Tostado. a house is now The Tostado. Francisco in Dominican wealth displays museum that the 19th century. 16th Century stone building Spain ruled its building Spain ruled stone 16th Century World. in the New empire Museo de las Casas Reales. Museo de las Casas Reales. Museo Casa de Duarte. the Once Duarte, the country’s house of Juan Pablo founding father. Home to the to Independencia. Home Parque it is an important venue de la Patria, Altar for public art exhibitions. KE Explore the historic the historic Explore Chu Chu Colonial. this train. City on board of the Colonial sites 5pm. 9 to from 45min tour Non-stop i o de t

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Beyond the Colonial City Museo Bellapart Museum dedicated to collections of well- known Dominican artists. Outstanding exhibitions. Mon-Fri 9:30am-6pm, Sat 9am-12pm. Closed Sundays. Av. John F. Kennedy, Edificio Honda, 809 541-7721 ext. 296.

Beauty Parlors Los Tres Ojos Beauty parlor-going is part of Dominican culture. Little girls start going from 4 years Palacio Nacional Los Tres Ojos old or even earlier. The beauty parlor ex- Although named “The Three Eyes”, this attrac- perience is just as much about looking tion boasts four clear water lagoons in lime- Palacio Nacional good as getting a psychological uplift. It The Presidential Palace, an imposing neoclas- stone sinkholes. A deep staircase leads visitors is a time women dedicate to themselves. sical structure, was inaugurated by Dominican to the underground caverns once used by Taino Dominican beauty parlors keep up to dictator Rafael Trujillo in 1947. It houses the ex- Indians in religious ceremonies. Daily 8am- date on the new hair cuts and deep con- ecutive and administrative offices, but not the Faro a Colón 5:30pm. Av. Mirador del Este, 809 472-4204. ditioning treatments. Dominican stylists President’s residence. Pre-booked visits required. are known the world over for the mastery Av. Mexico & Dr. Delgado, 809 695-8359. Faro a Colón Mirador del Sur of the art of blow drying, working from Completed in 1992 for the 500th anniversary of A 6-km long park popular for running, biking, root to tips and painstakingly drying hair the European settlement of the Americas, from rollerblading and walking in the early mornings in sections, twirling the brush at the ends Plaza de la Cultura a 1929 contest-winning design. The monu- and late afternoons. to give hair body and shine. mental mausoleum houses the remains of the Museo del Hombre Dominicano famous explorer and historic exhibits donated A wide collection of Taino artifacts with sections by other nations. Tue-Sun 9am-5:30pm. Closed dedicated to the post-Columbus era and the Mondays. Av. Mirador del Este, 809 591-1492. country’s African heritage. Tue-Sun 10am-5pm. Closed Mondays. Av. Pedro Henríquez Ureña, Acuario Nacional 809 687-3622. Visitors can walk through a large plexiglass tun- nel full of sharks, stingrays and turtles. Walkable Ola distance to Columbus Lighthouse. Tue-Sun 9:30am-5:30pm. Closed Mondays. Av. España 77, 809 766-1709. guides you!

Museo de Arte Moderno Buy the Dominican Republic map for your mobile Museo de Arte Moderno Four floors of the museum are dedicated to 20th century Dominican art. Alternating temporary exhibitions. Tue-Sun 9am-5pm. Closed Mondays. Acuario Nacional Av. Pedro Henríquez Ureña, 809 685-2153. www.ola.com.do

16 Santo Domingo Guide dr1.com 17 The Sights The Sights

The Botanical Gardens El Malecón Meet the flora of the island Avenue by the Sea

Santo Domingo’s Jardín Botánico Nacio- in the fruit trees area of the park. It is to Santo Domingo what the Eiffel Tow- food when the Bonarelli family’s Vesuvio Res- nal is the largest and most complete Bo- There is an area with all the palms on the er is to Paris and the Empire State Building to taurant opened in the 1950s, making it the tanical Garden in the Caribbean and Central island, with more than 30 different trees on New Yorkers. Dominicans take it for granted; place to go for family gatherings. When tour- America. Designed by architect Benjamin display. it seems it has always been there… ists discovered the Vesuvio, the Bonarellis Paiewonsky in 1976 and covering an area of Its Japanese garden is a high point of ev- The 14km long Malecón was recognized added Dominican cooking as a complement. more than 2kms2, its diverse landscape takes ery visit for its scenery. A Torii, or gateway to by the international organizers of American And even when in its early days it was all visitors on an extended encounter with the heaven, embellishes the entrance to woods Capital of Culture 2010 as one of the city’s about wealthy family chalets, over the years flora of the island. of araucarias and bamboo shoots. seven material cultural treasures. the Malecón has given way to mixed use, Well preserved, it welcomes a large group Beyond there is a pavilion with exotic cacti It has history. Few know that it was a vi- with the building of hotels and luxury towers of faithful joggers along its numerous trails and other desert plants, and another dedi- sionary, José Ramón Báez López-Penha, who for those who want more time to contem- through plains and undulating terrain. cated to bromeliads. There is an area dedi- in 1931, less than a year after the devasta- plate the lovely vistas. The park attracts thousands of birds that cated to the flowering trees and plants of tion caused by Hurricane San Zenón, con- The view of the waves breaking against make their homes among its greenery. the island of Hispaniola, with colors that vary vinced dictator Trujillo to retake the coast by the coastal waters creates a sensation of Be amazed by the variety of aquatic plants depending on the time of year. building a boulevard the length of the city’s peace and tranquility that is an integral part (48 large ponds), the orchid building with The Gardens hold annual orchid and bon- southern side for everyone to enjoy. At the of life for city dwellers. To “go down to the more than 300 species, the fern exhibit, the sai exhibits and frequent temporary exhibi- time, wealthy families had embraced sea- Malecón” is part of city life. herbarium with its medicinal and aromatic tions. A train takes visitors on a 40-minute front property for their haciendas. The vistas are spectacular -- from the city’s plants (90,000 samples) and the 12,000m2 ar- tour that can be broken up by stopping Ironically, it was there that Trujillo was as- iconic skyscraper skyline, to the colonial walls boretum with more than 1,500 native, exotic at the halfway point of the Japanese Gar- sassinated in 1961, it is also there that Carni- and the Columbus Lighthouse. and endemic trees. den and walking back. Daily 9am-5pm. val takes place in February, Merengue Festi- Fruits can be picked from the many trees Av. República de Colombia, 809 385-2611. val in July and Christmas and New Year street partying. Its Plaza Juan Baron is the newest Riparian habitat, wooded areas, open esplanade in town. palm savannas of the garden offer opportu- It is a collection of historical sites, with sev- nities for seeing many interesting endemic eral sections of colonial walls still visible. The and migratory birds. Birdwatchers may at- San Gil Fort, the Monument to Financial In- tempt to enter any time after about 6am with dependence celebrating the payment of the identifying binoculars in hand. The Hispan- foreign debt, the Monument to Fray Antón iola Ornithological Society has a walk every de Montesinos, recognized as the precursor first Sunday of each month at 7am, meeting of human rights in the Americas, the Centro at the front door. Contact [email protected]. de los Héroes government center. BIRDWATCHERS! do or 809 753-1388 It is the facade of the city and mirror to migrations. Dominicans learned about Italian 18 Santo Domingo Guide dr1.com 19 Shopping

Malls & Shops Brands, arts and crafts

Shopping in metropolitan Santo Domingo is as much Gift Shops about malls, department stores, mega stores as about Mercado Modelo. Mella market halls, marketplaces, specialist shops and Domini- Also shops at Calle El Conde, can design retailers. Isabel la Católica, Arzobispo Meriño Best known areas Acropolis Center. Name brands, All Dominican banks & telecom, restaurants Amber Museum. Arzobispo and great entertainment. Meriño & Restauración. (See ad REEFER SERVICES, S. A. Winston Churchill page 13). Bella Vista Mall. Sarasota Arawak Art Gallery. Paintings Tempstar - Air Conditioners Thermoguard - Protection Scout - Fleet Control System Centro Cuesta Nacional. and sculptures. Rafael Augusto From engineering and design to Unique corrosion protection system Transportation logistics services using 27 de Febrero & Churchill Sánchez, Piantini industry-leading warranties, we are speciﬁcally for Air conditioning and GPS technology and also dedicated to always delivering quality heating ventilation equipment. Geographic location of your equipment/ Blue Mall. Gustavo Mejía Fiori. Designer leather hand- you can feel. • Life expectancy increased by 3 years ﬂeet and Geofencing. Ricart bags. Plaza Fernández. Winston guaranteed Calle El Conde Churchill • Energy conservation and lower CO2 Ikea. John F. Kennedy Jenny Polanco. Designer emissions Jumbo stores. Luperón Clothes. Casa Virginia. Roberto

La Sirena. Gustavo Mejía Fiori Colección leather goods Pastoriza. (See ad page 7). Ricart Megacentro. Santo Domingo Este Novocentro. Lope de Vega • Available via web browser or SMS messaging Plaza Central. 27 de Febrero & Churchill • Scheduled alarms for maintenance Plaza Lama. 27 de Febrero & Churchill periods Semma. Luperón • Mini Splits Coatings can be applied: • Control of fuel usage • High eﬃciency SEER 13 and above • Onsite or in a paint shop • Temperature monitoring • Sale of Equipment and Spares • Before or after installation of refrigerated cargo Arts & Crafts in the Colonial City • Installation, maintenance and repair • By spraying or ﬂooding • Alarms for unauthorized opening of Meet the artisans at Plazoleta Fray Bartolomé de las Casas • Trained technicians • In various environments the cargo at Padre Billini corner Arzobispo Meriño in the Colonial City. (salt, urban & rural) • Service availability 24 x 7 • Mileage traveled & excessive speed Open every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 9am to 9pm. Carretera Sánchez km. 12½, Haina Oriental, Santo Domingo Oeste, R. D. WEB reeferservices.com • scout.com.do CUSTOMERS SERVICE 809.539.6122 • FAX: 809.539.6714 EMAIL [email protected] Arte de Café-Casa Cuesta

20 Santo Domingo Guide dr1.com 21 Larimar Found only in the Dominican Republic, this gemstone’s sunlit blue color is a great way to remember the Caribbean. Dominican cigars Guava Marmalade Dominican cigars are internationally Amber The Bon marmalade is the perfect recognized for their quality. The DR is famous for its amber. This fossil souvenir to take back the sweet taste resin, more transparent than its Baltic of the Caribbean. counterpart, is beautiful when set in jewelry and is an excellent keepsake.

Co ee Dominican co ee is rich and Ways to Remember the DR strong. Can be bought at any supermarket. Macadamia nuts Grown in the Dominican forest, La Rum Dominican beer Aged to perfection, Dominican rums are Dominicans love their beer and since Loma macadamia nuts are sold at Bon Ice Cream stores nationwide, preferred locally on the rocks or as a “Cuba you may have trouble nding some Faceless dolls Libre” mixed with Pepsi or Coca Cola. back home, it may be best to take a These ceramic dolls are leading supermarkets, and select bottle or two for the road. famous throughout the DR gift shops. and are also very delicate. Be sure to pack them tight.

Handpainted crafts Wooden handbags, handpainted plates and bowls are highly regarded for their mosaic patterns and lively color themes. Dining Dining

A Bon Ice Cream shop near you Taste the Caribbean in Bon Ice Chinatown Cream. Popular flavors include Note the traditional arch donated by the macadamia, rum raisin, organic People’s Republic of China on the Av. chocolate, strawberry, passion fruit Mexico entrance and the one donated and coconut sherbets. A dozen fruit by Taiwan on the Av. Mella exit to Santo and cream popsicles are also avail- What’s Cooking Santo Domingo? Domingo’s Chinatown district. Its main able. There are more than 250+ street, Jacinto de la Concha, is lined with Bon stores nationwide, in- Savor the Dominican Cuisine life-sized oriental bronze statues. Bargain cluding 2 stores off Calle prices are the draw at the neighborhood’s El Conde and several on shops and restaurants owned by Chinese or near Winston Churchill Santo Domingo dining is a 516-year old can fast food places that have won over the immigrants. This is the place for Dim Sum Avenue. Bon Ice Cream is melting pot of gastronomic influences from locals. and Peking Duck. It is also the site of the a leader in environmental around the world. What makes Santo Domin- There is no city in the Caribbean with annual Chinese New Year celebration in programs nationwide. go’s cuisine tastier is that chefs have an abun- more restaurants than Santo Domingo. For a January or February. dance of fresh local fruits and vegetables, fish sampling, drive through upscale areas of the and meats, aside from imports. Chefs cook city, such as the commercial-residential area up traditional recipes from around the world, of the Poligono Central (Av. Gustavo Mejia but many give a Dominican twist to these Ricart, Abraham Lincoln, Winston Churchill, recipes with seasonal ingredients. Naco and Piantini neighborhoods) for your Early influences date back to the original pick of restaurants with outdoor terraces Taino pre-Columbian days, to the mark left for appreciating the light breezes and the Boyter by the Spanish conquistadors and the droves balmy night air. The explanation, Dominicans Island of African slaves in the 16th and 17th cen- are forever on the lookout for the latest new REAL ESTATE & tury. Intermarriages ensured that the varied place to be the first to tell their friends. BUSINESS CENTER REAL ESTATE cooking prevailed throughout the centuries. We specialize in assisting companies and Today, this is no different. Newcomers individual business people. We can help you from the United States, the Middle East, Ger- in the process of establishment in the area of your choice. Our team members are many, France, Canada, Italy, Japan, China, Tai- experts in Relocation. We offer Executive wan and Korea are leaving their mark. Rentals for short and long-term rent both Add very cosmopolitan Dominicans, and furnished and unfurnished. new entrepreneurs that travel and bring BUSINESS CENTER back styles and ritzy decors to best each At our Business Center in Bella Vista we other. Many eateries are chic but not cheap, offer office cubicles that you can rent but because the student crowd is big in San- short-term or long-term. This includes receptionist service, phone service, area for to Domingo, there are many that are good meetings and other commercial services. We International cuisine in the value, too, whilst not fancy. can also help you find the ideal Commercial romantic Plaza de España Breakfast places and Sunday brunch are Space for your business and we offer popular as are luncheon specials at the malls Landlord and Tenant Representation. and a selection of restaurants in commercial T: 809.533.9443 www.boyterisland.com Calle Atarazana #27, Zona Colonial districts. The US fast food chains are here but C: 1.809.729.9010 [email protected] 809-688-9400. Sun-Thurs 10:30am-1am. discover the dishes served by hardy Domini- Bella Vista, Sto. Dgo., República Dominicana Fri-Sat 10:30am-3am.

24 Santo Domingo Guide dr1.com 25 Dining Dining List of restaurants in Santo Domingo (* see Zone Map on pages 42-43) Vesuvio Malecón 521 Zona Universitaria/Z2 Italian PM 809 221-1954 $$$ RESTAURANT ADDRESS LOCATION/ZONE* CUISINE MEALS PHONE $ Bella Cristal Roberto Pastoriza 458 Piantini/Z1 Chinese PM 809 540-2923 $$ Atarazana Atarazana 5 Ciudad Colonial/Z3 Dominican PM 809 689-2900 $$ Chino de Mariscos Sarasota 38A Bella Vista/Z2 Chinese PM 809 533-5249 $$ Adrian Tropical Malecón 2 Gazcue/Z2 Dominican AM,PM 809 221-1764 $$ Coreano Magna 12 de Junio Bella Vista/Z2 Korean PM 809 535-3355 $$ Barra Payan 30 de Marzo 140 Gazcue/Z2 Dominican AM,PM 809 689-6654 $ Dragon House Duarte & Mexico Chinatown/Z3 Asian PM 809 687-0230 $$ Buen Provecho Gustavo Mejía Ricart 59 Naco/Z1 Dominican AM,PM 809 562-4848 $$ Mei Gui Duarte 17 Chinatown/Z3 Chinese PM 809 221-7186 $$ Cafeteria El Conde El Conde & Meriño Ciudad Colonial/Z3 Dominican AM,PM 809 682-6944 $ Pan Oliva Centro Comercial Embajador Bella Vista/Z2 Chinese PM 809 533-7380 $$ El Conuco Casimiro de Moya 152 Gazcue/Z2 Dominican PM 809 686-0129 $$ Aka Max Henríquez Ureña Naco/Z1 Japanese PM 809 338-1166 $$ Meson di Bari Hostos 302 Ciudad Colonial/Z3 Dominican PM 809 687-4091 $$ Samurai Seminario 57 Piantini/Z1 Japanese PM 809 565-1621 $$$ Cane Abraham Lincoln 1059 Piantini/Z1 Caribbean PM 809 368-2200 $$ Yokomo Rómulo Betancourt 1316 Bella Vista/Z2 Japanese PM 829 535-5999 $$ La Residence Hostal Nicolas de Ovando Ciudad Colonial/Z3 Caribbean AM,PM 809 685-9955 $$$ Chef Pepper Gustavo Mejía Ricart 62 Naco/Z1 Meats/Grills PM 809 565-4068 $$ Baladi David Masalles 19B Julieta/Z1 Mid-Eastern PM 809 567-0070 $ Porter House Abraham Lincoln 918 Piantini/Z1 Meats/Grills PM 809 542-6000 $$$ Falafel Padre Billini 352 Ciudad Colonial/Z3 Mid-Eastern PM 809 688-9714 $$ D’Luis Parrillada Malecón 25 Ciudad Nueva/Z3 Meats/Grills PM 809 686-2940 $$ Outback Steakhouse Acropolis Center Piantini/Z1 Australian PM 809 566 5550 $$ David Crockett Gustavo Mejía Ricart 34 Piantini/Z1 Meats/Grills PM 809 565-8898 $$$ Caffé Milano Tiradentes 11 Naco/Z1 International AM,PM 809 540-3000 $$$ El Agave Lope de Vega 104 Naco/Z1 Mexican PM 809 732-3232 $$ Christoph Tiradentes 42 Naco International PM 809 540-4700 $$ La Vecindad Tiradentes & Cub Scout Naco/Z1 Mexican PM 809 633-2121 $$ Emilio’s Gourmet Roberto Pastoriza 52 Naco/Z1 International PM 809 565-3070 $$ Lupe Gustavo Mejía Ricart 122 Piantini/Z1 Mexican PM 809 549-5791 $$ Marocha Gustavo Mejía Ricart 124 Piantini/Z1 International AM,PM 809 473-4191 $$$ El Racó Privada 104B Luperón/Z6 Seafood PM 809 534-4462 $$ Meson de la Cava Mirador del Sur Mirador Sur/Z2 International PM 809 533-2818 $$ Sully Charles Sumner 19 Fernández/Z1 Seafood PM 809 562-3389 $$ Mitre Gustavo Mejía Ricart 1001 Piantini/Z1 International PM 809 472-1787 $$ Boga Boga Bolívar 203 Esperilla/Z2 Spanish PM 809 472-0849 $$ Mix Gustavo Mejía Ricart 69 Piantini/Z1 International PM 809 472-0100 $$ Cantábrico Independencia 54 Gazcue/Z2 Spanish PM 809 687-5102 $$ Pat’e Palo Atarazana 25 Ciudad Colonial/Z3 International PM 809 687-8089 $$$ Casa de las Paellas Gustavo Mejía RicarT 130 Julieta/Z1 Spanish PM 809 686-9363 $$ Peperoni Plaza Universitaria La Julia/Z2 International PM 809 508-1330 $$$ Don Pepe Porfirio Herrera 31 Piantini/Z1 Spanish PM 809 563-4440 $$$ Prima Fila Novocentro Naco/Z1 International AM,PM 809 540-2789 $$ El Olivo Madame Curie 19 La Esperilla/Z2 Spanish PM 809 549-3792 $$$ Rita’s Café Atarazana 27 Ciudad Colonial/Z3 International PM 809 688-9400 $$ Mesón Iberia Miguel Angel Monclús 165 Mirador Norte/Z1 Spanish PM 809 530-7200 $$ Tambo Emiliano Tejera/Atarazana Ciudad Colonial/Z3 International PM 809 685-2997 $$ Mijas Max Henríquez Ureña 47A Piantini/Z1 Spanish PM 809 567-5040 $$$ Angelo Atarazana 21 Ciudad Colonial/Z3 Italian PM 809 686-3586 $$ Taberna El Asturiano Olaf Palme 2 San Gerónimo/Z1 Spanish PM 809 412-8600 $$ Fellini Roberto Pastoriza 504 Evaristo Morales/Z1 Italian PM 809 335-5464 $$$ Opus 48 Mustafá Kemal Atartuk 48 Naco/Z1 French PM 809 227-5050 $$ Il Cappuccino Máximo Gómez 60 La Esperilla/Z2 Italian AM,PM 809 682-8006 $$ Chalet Suizo Malecon Km 7-1/2 Malecón/Z4 Swiss PM 809 534-0100 $$ Il Capo Centro Comercial Embajador Bella Vista/Z2 Italian PM 809 534-6252 $$ Elysée Patisserie M. de Jesús Troncoso 23 Piantini/Z1 Café/Bakery AM,PM 809 566-6600 $$ Il Buongustaio Virgilio Díaz Ordoñez 41 Evaristo Morales/Z1 Italian PM 809 562-2480 $$$ BOCA CHICA/JUANCHICA / JUAN DOLIO La Briciola Arzobispo Meriño 152 Ciudad Colonial/Z3 Italian PM 809 688-5055 $$ Boca Marina Prolongacion Duarte 12A Boca Chica Seafood AM,PM 809 688-6810 $$ Pala Pizza R Pastoriza & Churchill Evaristo Morales/Z1 Italian PM 809 566-0500 $ El Pelicano Duarte 1 Boca Chica Seafood PM 809 523-4611 $$ Pizza Il Forno Churchill & Gustavo Evaristo Morales/Z1 Italian PM 809 542-7000 $ Neptuno’s Duarte 12 Boca Chica Seafood PM 809 688-6810 $$ Pizzarelli Sarasota & Churchill La Julia/Z2 Italian PM 809 508-1638 $ El Sueño Calle Principal Juan Dolio Seafood PM 809 526-3903 $$ Sapori d’Italia Max Henríquez Ureña 29 Naco/Z1 Italian PM 809 683-5691 $$ Mesón Español Calle Boulevard Juan Dolio Spanish PM 809 526-2666 $$ Caffe Bellini Plazoleta Padre Billini Ciudad Colonial/Z3 Italian PM 809 686-3387 $$$ Deli Swiss Playa Guayacanes Guayacanes Seafood PM 809 526-1226 $$

26 Santo Domingo Guide dr1.com 27 Pescado con coco Morir Soñando Pollo Guisado Fresh sh with red bell peppers and “To die dreaming”. Sweet shake with evapo- Stewed chicken in a tomato, onion, garlic, onions in a coconut milk-based sauce. rated milk, orange juice, ice and sugar. olives, capers and cilantro sauce. Sancocho Soup with dierent meats and vegetables (see recipe). to Batida de lechoza Flan de leche Dominican fruit shake with papaya, Crème caramel - popular dessert in the DR, milk, vanilla, ice and sugar. Mofongo made with eggs, milk and sugar. Mashed fried plantains mixed with taste garlic and pieces of chicken or pork. Flavors not to be Missed The following sancocho recipe (one of the most cherished by Dominicans) is brought to you by Aunt Clara’s Dominican Cookbook, an excellent reference Time: 90 Mins with 100 traditional Dominican recipes; fully illustrated with beautiful color Diculty: Advanced Sancocho de 7 Carnes Serve: 6 people photography. Get your copy by visiting dominicancooking.com and bring the (Seven-Meat Stew) flavor of the Dominican Republic back home to your kitchen. Before starting to cook: Cut the meat into small • 1/2 lb of cassava cut into 1-inch thick pieces pieces. Scrub the meat (except the pork • 1/2 lb of yam cut into 1-inch thick pieces Preparation sausage) with the lemon. • 2 celery stalks 1. Place the beef in a pan and add the celery, coriander, oregano, garlic, vinegar, and salt. Marinate for at least • 1/2 lb of malanga cut into 1-inch thick pieces Ingredients half an hour. In an iron pot heat the oil, add the beef and stir (be careful with hot oil splattering). Cover and simmer • 2 lbs beef with bones • 1/2 lb of potatoes cut into 1-inch thick pieces • 3 unripe plantains, 2 cut into 1-inch thick pieces for 10 minutes. Add a few spoons of water if the meat sticks to the pot. Add the pork and let simmer for 15 minutes, • 1 lb of goat meat adjust water when necessary. Add the rest of the meat to the pot (except for the chicken) and let simmer for an- • 1 lb pork sausage (longaniza) • 2 cubes of beef stock (optional) • 2 corn cobs cut into 2-inches long pieces (optional) other 15 minutes, adding tablespoons of water as needed to prevent it from burning. Add the chicken and let • 1 lb pork simmer for another 10 minutes. • 1 1/2 lb chicken • 1/2 teaspoon of powdered oregano 2. Add 1/4 gallon of water to the pot and bring to a boil. Add the yam, malanga and the two plantains that you • 2 lbs of pork ribs • 1/2 teaspoon of coriander(cilantro) had previously cut. Add the bollitos now. Let simmer for 15 minutes. Add all remaining ingredients and adjust water • 1 lb of bones from a smoked ham • 2 teaspoons of vinegar when necessary. Stir regularly to avoid excessive sticking. Let simmer until the last ingredients you added are • 4 lemons cut in halves • 2 teaspoons of chili pepper sauce or agrio de naranja • 1 tablespoon of mashed garlic • 10 boiled flour rolls (bollitos de harina) (optional) tender. Grate the remaining plantain and add to the pot. Let simmer until the stew is thick. • 4 tablespoons of oil 3. Adjust salt to taste. Serve while hot with white rice and avocado slices. 28 Santo Domingo Guide Photos provided by Aunt Clara’s dr1.comDominican Cookbook29 Nightlife

City of Events Tropical Nights The reason to come Yesterday, tonight and tomorrow Bonyé at the Ruinas de San Francisco This is no ordinary Caribbean One Racing Track, the Feria Ga- Santo Domingo is the capital of nightlife been merengue, bachata + jazz. Casa de city. Forget beaches, forget nadera, the Olympic Center and in the Caribbean. It’s that Dominicans love to Teatro hosts its Jazz Festival in June and July quaintness. With 3 million peo- Parque del Este venues where party. Nights out start with dinner, or choos- and Wednesday jazz nights. ple, Santo Domingo makes the the Pan American Sports Games ing a café/bar, or just a bar for conversation Every Friday, the Fiesta Sunset Jazz makes big league of cities anywhere were held in 2003. The baseball over drinks. Others choose to go dancing in for a wonderful spot to start the weekend. in the world. Stars on tour of season starts mid October and one of the neighborhood discos, or to dance Check out the sunset from the top floor of Latin America and the Carib- ends the first week of February of till early morning at a city hotel disco. Rev- the Dominican Fiesta Hotel. Great ambience bean make sure that Santo Do- the next year. elers on a low budget may be seen hang- and baby boomer crowds. Reservations 809 mingo is included. This makes Public spaces…. Columbus ing out at the open-air colmadones and 562-8222. Free admission. the big shows and events THE Park next to the Cathedral, Plaza the liquor stores where people gather to reason to come to the city. de España, Plaza Juan Barón and drink outside, on the street. Sunday evening Sunday nights with Bonyé DR1 Calendar (dr1.com/ street dancing for Carnival and through Thursday, bars and restaurants close Each Sunday, on the steps of the San calendar) keeps track of the for drinks at midnight. On Fridays, Saturdays Francisco Ruins, in the Colonial City (see sports, photography and and holidays, they stay open to 2am. For the pages 14-15) the love of music fills the hot art exhibitions, weeks of Christmas & New Year holidays, the limits are Santo Domingo nights with bluesy son and high fashion, clas- lifted. Opening hours at city hotels are not merengue sounds when Bonyé and talent- sic and contemporary dance, limited. ed friends take the stage. The horns blare musicals, comedy and drama out, the drums beat tightly. Dancing feet at the small and large the- respond. The sounds of cold beers being aters, jazz, film festivals, elec- opened at Don Guillermo’s store-bar create a tronic music DJs, national lively chorus that complement the show on symphony orchestra season stage shortly after 6pm. and musical tributes as they The ruins of San Francisco provide an are announced. amazing background to the show and the The venues… Teatro Na- warmth of the locals, who at a moment’s no- cional, Palacio de Bellas Artes, tice become long-time friends, reflects the Casa de Teatro, Conservatorio ongoing spirit of Santo Domingo. Nacional de Musica, Plaza de España, Centro Cultural de Jazz at the Dominican Fiesta Hotel Dress Code España, Museo de Arte Hints of what the doorman may be look- Moderno, Centro Domi- Jazz City ing for to see if you fit in with the crowd mix nico-Alemán, Teatro On any given day there are a dozen res- of the place. It also is a clue as to what to ex- Guloya, Teatro Las Christmas on the Malecon and New Year at taurants, bars or theaters with jazz perform- pect pricewise: the dressier, the pricier. Rule Máscaras… the Avenida del Puerto. ers on stage in Santo Domingo. Guillo Carias of thumb in Santo Domingo: always dress The Quisqueya Arts and entertainment in Santo Domin- and his group gave it a start in the 80s at the up a notch. Ball Park, Mobil go are guaranteed. Hotel Santo Domingo, but since then it has

30 Santo Domingo Guide dr1.com 31 Nightlife Nightlife

Nightspots around Santo Domingo (* see Zone Map on pages 42-43) NAME ADDRESS LOCATION/ZONE PHONE DRESS CODE NAME ADDRESS LOCATION/ZONE PHONE DRESS CODE RESTAURANT/BAR LATIN MUSIC SPOTS Caffe Bellini Arzobispo Meriño 155 Ciudad Colonial/Z3 809 686-3387 Dressed up El Sartén Hostos 153 Ciudad Colonial/Z3 809 686-9621 Relaxed Caffé Milano Tiradentes 11 Naco/Z1 809 540-3000 Dressed up Jet Set Independencia 2253 El Portal/Z2 809 535-4145 Smart Casual Cane Abraham Lincoln 1059 Piantini/Z1 809 368-2200 Smart Casual Las Palmas Hotel Santo Domingo Zona Universitaria/Z2 809 221-1511 Smart Casual Casa de Teatro Arzobispo Meriño 110 Ciudad Colonial/Z3 809 689-3430 Casual Mint Malecon, Hotel Napolitano Gazcue/Z4 809 687-1131 Casual Colatte Café Federico Gerardino, Plaza Laura Piantini/Z1 809 566-7171 Smart Casual Platinum Independencia 1111 Zona Universitaria/Z2 809 508-0115 Casual Falafel Padre Billini 352 Ciudad Colonial/Z3 809 688-9714 Casual PM Winston Churchill Plaza Las Américas/Z1 809 338-7676 Casual Fellini Roberto Pastoriza 504 Evaristo Morales/Z1 809 540-5330 Dressed up Vié Roberto Pastoriza 313 Naco/Z1 809 704-7348 Casual GastroPub Bella Vista Mall Bella Vista/Z2 809 535-1700 Smart Casual Wao Dance & Drink to Share Venezuela & Club Rotario Zona Oriental/Z5 809 595-0583 Dressed up Hard Rock Café Atarazana 27 Ciudad Colonial/Z3 809 686-7771 Smart Casual BARS & LOUNGES Hooters Acropolis Center Piantini/Z1 809 565-4668 Casual Atarazana 9 Atarazana 9 Ciudad Colonial/Z3 809 688-0969 Relaxed Mamajuana Café Roberto Pastoriza 461 Piantini/Z1 809 547-1019 Casual Bar Teatro Nacional Máximo Gómez 35 Gazcue/Z3 809 221-7158 Smart Casual Meson di Bari Hostos 302 Ciudad Colonial/Z3 809 687-4091 Casual Bianco Sarasota BQ Hotel Bella Vista/Z2 809 993-5876 Smart Casual Mitre Gustavo Mejía Ricart 1001 Piantini/Z1 809 472-1787 Smart Casual Bio Bar Sánchez 125 Ciudad Colonial/Z3 809 686-0147 Relaxed Rita’s Café Atarazana 27 Ciudad Colonial/Z3 809 688-9400 Casual Boca Negra Arzobispo Meriño 256 Ciudad Colonial/Z3 809 747-9034 Relaxed Rosalinda La Terraza Blue Mall Piantini/Z1 809 955-3259 Smart Casual Caffé Segafredo El Conde 54 Ciudad Colonial/Z3 809 685-4440 Casual TGI Friday’s Acropolis Center Piantini/Z1 809 955-8443 Casual Cava Alta Agustín Lara 19 Piantini/Z1 809 518-9000 Smart Casual DANCE MIX SPOTS Cinema Café Plaza de la Cultura Gazcue/Z3 809 221-7555 Relaxed Camden Parlour Plaza Andalucía I Piantini/Z1 809 540-3588 Smart Casual Colmadón El Hangar Independencia Km 9-1/2 Zona 6 809 533-6898 Relaxed Encuentro Artesanal Arzobispo Meriño 407 Ciudad Colonial/Z3 809 687-1135 Smart Casual Dock Acrópolis Center Piantini/Z1 809 567-6116 Casual Ferro Café Virgilio Díaz Ordoñez Evaristo Morales/Z1 809 540-5718 Smart Casual Evolution Bar & Lounge Venezuela 13 Zona Oriental/Z5 829 447-5686 Smart Casual Gold Fashion Dance Club 27 de Febrero 312 Bella Vista/Z2 809 201- 0253 Smart Casual Hydro Ultra Lounge Cub Scout & Tiradentes Naco/Z1 809 549-7293 Smart Casual Gotik Club (Led) Hotel Hispaniola Zona Universitaria/Z2 809 476-7733 Dressed up Kantabar Unicentro Plaza Piantini/Z1 809 565-1484 Relaxed Mi Loca Sanchez Ciudad Colonial/Z3 809 882-6950 Smart Casual La Barrica Abraham Lincoln Piantini/Z1 809 334-5803 Smart Casual Onno’s Bar Hostos Ciudad Colonial/Z3 809 689-1183 Casual La Cantina del Agave Arzobispo Meriño 115 Ciudad Colonial/Z3 809 567-4444 Casual Praia Club Gustavo Mejía Ricart 78 Piantini/Z1 809 732-0230 Dressed up La Espiral José Reyes & Mercedes Ciudad Colonial/Z3 809 686-1765 Relaxed Retro Café Plaza Andalucía Piantini/Z1 809 540-3927 Casual La Viña del Catador Lope de Vega 35 Naco/Z1 809 732-9679 Casual Zambra Roberto Pastoriza 315, Plaza Uris Naco/Z1 809 683-7373 Smart Casual Lucia 203 Hostos 203 Ciudad Colonial/Z3 809 689-5546 Casual LATIN MUSIC SPOTS Gustavo Mejía Ricart & Federico Maruja Bar Serralles/Z1 809 566-9103 Smart Casual Aurora Disco Hotel Aurora Sol Zona Oriental/Z4 809 483-3313 Casual Gerardino Bottom’s Bar Hotel Clarión Naco/Z1 809 541-6226 Casual Parkeo Bar Roberto Pastoriza & Tiradentes Naco/Z1 809 541-2341 Relaxed Coppa Bar Malecón, Hotel Meliá Gazcue/Z3 809 682-2102 Smart Casual Shots Roberto Pastoriza 315, Plaza Uris Naco/Z1 829 886-1208 Casual Coyote Club Paseo de los Locutores 58 Evaristo Morales/Z1 809 683-4474 Smart Casual The Bar @ Mix Gustavo Mejía Ricart 69 Serralles/Z1 809 472-0100 Smart Casual Eclipse Dance Club Venezuela 64 Ozama/Z4 809 593-3336 Casual Vinopolis Max Henríquez Ureña 15 Naco/Z1 809 732-8466 Smart Casual

32 Santo Domingo Guide dr1.com 33 The Basics

When Christopher Columbus arrived in Population 1492 to the north coast, he named the island The country’s population is approximate- Hispaniola. At the time an estimated 400,000 ly 10 million. Approximately 3 million people Taino Indians inhabited the land. Old World live in the Greater Santo Domingo, where diseases, slavery and abysmal treatment by the capital, known as the National District, the Spaniards all but erased this population. is located. Dominicans are a continuously To replace the manual labor, the first African changing true melting pot of races and eth- slaves were brought to the island in 1520. nicities, as new immigrants are assimilated. The country gained its first independence The original Indian settlers were followed from Spain in 1821, but the following year, by the Spaniards and Africans. These were the Haitians invaded, inspired by the ideal of followed by waves of immigrants from the “one indivisible island” set by their liberator Caribbean islands, neighboring Haiti, Japan, Toussaint L’Ouverture. The Dominican Re- Lebanon, and Spain that came for farming. public remained under Haitian control until Others were making their way to the United 27 February 1844 when the founding fathers States and would stay, such as immigrants of Dominican independence Juan Pablo Du- from China and Cuba. Thousands from arte, Ramón Matías Mella and Francisco del France, Canada, Germany, Italy and Russia Rosario Sánchez led a successful revolt and came first as tourists to now call the land declared independence. their own. Geography Money The second largest country in the Carib- Dominican peso rates fluctuate daily. US$ bean after Cuba, the Dominican Republic oc- are easiest to exchange, but most banks will cupies the eastern two-thirds of the island of also take euros. A passport is needed to cash Hispaniola in the Greater Antilles, with Haiti currency. The rate is set daily by the Central occupying the western portion. Situated in Bank. See www.bancentral.gov.do the heart of the region between North and Lost or Stolen Credit Cards and Traveler’s South America, the country is bordered by Checks the Caribbean Sea on the south coast and the Atlantic Ocean to the north. Its contrast- Visa 410 581-9994 ing landscape ranges from towering moun- Mastercard 800 307-7309 tains, the highest in the Caribbean, to cacti- American studded deserts, to rainforest along with Express 800 327-1267 400+ kilometers of soft sand beaches. The DR is big by Caribbean standards at 48,442 Most ATMs operate on the Cirrus Net- square kilometers (30,100 square miles). works (Mastercard) or Plus networks (Visa).

34 Santo Domingo Guide dr1.com 35 The Basics The Basics

Money withdrawn from ATMs in the DR elected to office through August 2012. The while. Take note drainage is deficient in the will dispense Dominican pesos. Pesos are next presidential election is scheduled for Holidays city. Allow much more time to get to places, available in RD$2,000, RD$1,000, RD$500, Sunday, 20 May 2012. Consider visiting Santo Domingo during avoid tunnels and flooded sections in heavy RD$200, RD$100, RD$50 and RD$20 bills. the holidays, when capital city dwellers flee rains. There are coins for RD$25, RD$10, RD$5 and Beverage limitations for the tamer vacation sites, giving all a re- Check out the Weather & Beyond Forum in RD$1. Visa, Mastercard and American Express Discos, restaurants and casinos inside spite from chaotic traffic. Take note that for dr1.com/forums for daily updates, especially credit cards are widely accepted and often hotels are exempt from the present liquor- the Easter long weekend (from Thu to Sun) during Hurricane Season that runs from June preferred by businesses. Take note that there vending schedule that affects establish- even major stores and restaurants may be to November. is a shortage of change for RD$2,000 and ments throughout the country. Note that closed. For a list of holidays and the long RD$1,000 bills, so ask for smaller bills when many restaurants, clubs and bars must close weekends they create, see http://www.dr1. Time cashing money at a bank. Banks at major de- at midnight from Sun-Thu and at 2am on Fri, com/travel/prepare/ holidays.shtml The DR’s time zone is Eastern Standard, al- partment stores stay open to 7pm on Mon- Sat and holidays. Numerous establishments though the country does not follow Daylight day to Saturday. have been given an extension allowing them Taxes and Tipping Saving. Because of this, the DR is one hour to close at 1am Sun-Thu and at 3am Fri, Sat. The sales tax is 16% (ITBIS). Restaurants will ahead of Eastern Standard Time used in the Government Bring an ID. Patrons under the age of 18 levy a 10% service tax. An additional 10% tip US from October to April. A Representative Democracy, the Domini- won’t be admitted. is expected. can government is made up of three branch- Safety Mail Measurements Be alert to your surroundings and take the Government Offices For sending important parcels, consider Both the metric and the English measure- same precautions recommended for travel- using DHL, UPS or FedEx. There are local ment system are used. Most stores will be ing in any major foreign city, using the hotel NAME TELEPHONE WEBSITE postal office stamp vending and drop off able to assist you in either of these, and may safe and keeping money and valuables out Presidency of the Republic 809 695-8000 presidencia.gob.do points for letters or postcards at La Sirena sell produce in both. Road distances and of sight. Do not leave luggage or packages in Dominican Republic Export (Winston Churchill), Hotel El Embajador and land measurements are measured exclusive- sight in a vehicle. 809 530-5505 cei-rd.gov.do and Investment Center Centro de los Héroes main post. ly in kilometers. Electricity Ministry of Foreign Relations 809 535-6280 mirex.gov.do Communications Climate & Weather Electrical current in the Dominican Re- Ministry of Economy & 809 695-8588 economia.gob.do Bring an unlocked phone and purchase a Temperatures average 71-85F (22-30C) public is 110 volts AC, 60 Hz. US-style two- Planning local chip (SIM card) with a pre-paid plan that pin plugs are standard, so European visitors Ministry of Hacienda 809 687-5131 hacienda.gob.do gives you a local telephone number. This can Conversion Box should bring suitable adaptors. be done if your mobile uses GSM or CDMA Ministry of Tourism Weights & Measurements 809 221-4660 sectur.gob.do frequency. Orange and Claro will activate Water godominicanrepublic.com 1 pound = 0.45359 kilo 1 kilo = 2.204 pounds most open European and North American- Drink bottled or treated water. Locals do Ministry of Industry and 809 685-5171 seic.gov.do based cell phones and these can be used Speed: Kilometers/MPH: not drink the tap water so you will be served Commerce with calling cards. Otherwise, if your phone 1 mph = 1.60934 kph 1 kph = 0.62137 mph bottled water at restaurants. Ministry of Agriculture 809 547-3888 agricultura.gob.do works here, steep roaming charges may ap- Fahrenheit to Celsius Ministry of Culture 809 221-4141 cultura.gob.do ply. Failing to turn off the data-roaming fea- Hospitals ture on your smart phone may rack up the 18C = 65F 27C = 80F Hospiten Santo Domingo. Alma Mater & Ministry of Environment 809 567-4300 ambiente.gob.do bill even when email and other data func- 21C = 70F 30C = 85F Bolivar, 809 541-3000 Ministry of Education 809 688-9700 see.gob.do tions on not intentionally used. Cedimat. Ortega y Gasset 10, 809 565-9989 24C = 75F 32C = 90F Ministry of Higher Education 809 533-3381 seescyt.gov.do To call the US and Canada, dial 1+area Centro Abel Gonzalez. Abraham Lincoln code+ phone number. To call European 953, 809 227-2235 Ministry of Public Health 809 541-3121 salud.gob.do countries dial 011+the country code + city for most of the year. Being in the tropics also Ministry of Labor 809 535-4404 set.gov.do code + the number. Blackberry is the smart- means that 80% of the time the sun is shin- Transportation Ministry of Public Works 809 565-2811 seopc.gov.do phone of choice for Dominicans. Local area ing. When traveling to the interior, prepare A variety of transportation options exist codes are 809, 829 and 849. for weather extremes of 95F+ (35C+) in des- for getting around Santo Domingo and near- Ministry of Sports 809 565-3325 sedefir.gob.do ert areas in the southwest and temperatures by beaches. Public transportation includes Ministry of Interior & Police 809 686-6251 seip.gov.do Internet that in some mountainous areas can dip be- carros públicos, buses and motorcycle taxis. Most hotels offer internet service. Check low the freezing mark in the winter months. Also, the 9 mile-long (14.5 kms) Santo Do- es: the Executive, Legislative and Judicial. The for those including the WiFi service in the Santo Domingo is built on a low-lying mingo Metro line provides transport from President is elected by popular vote every rate. Many restaurants in the city offer free coastal plain. With few exceptions, when it Villa Mella in the north of Santo Domingo to four years. President Leonel Fernández was WiFi. Call ahead if this is important to you. rains the sun comes back out after a short south-central Centro de los Héroes.

36 Santo Domingo Guide dr1.com 37 The Basics Beaches & Golf Private taxis Private taxis are available 24 hours a day and can be contracted by telephone. Ask the phone operator for the rate to your destination, the taxi number and color. Dominican taxis do not use fare meters. Instead there are flat rates for each destination. Las Américas International Flights Intercity Buses AIRLINE DESTINATION TELEPHONE WEBSITE Metro (Tel 809 566-7126) and Caribe Fort de France, Tours (Tel 809 221-4422) provide coach Air Caraibes 809 549-0404 aircaraibes.com Santo Domingo’s Beaches transportation service between Santo Port au Prince Domingo and major cities. Expreso Air Europa Madrid 809 683-8020 aireuropa.com Boca Chica, Guayacanes, Juan Dolio Bávaro (Tel 809 682-9670) travels to Air France Paris, Fort de France 809 686-8432 airfrance.com the East Coast destinations. Bus lines New York, Miami, Boca Chica Beach to other cities can also be boarded at American San Juan, 809 542-5151 aa.com 20 miles (30 kms) east of Santo Domingo and 2 miles (a the Enriquillo Park near Duarte Avenue Airlines Port au Prince bit over 3kms) east of Las Americas International Airport, or those headed north at Kilómetro Boca Chica is the city beach. Expect large crowds on American Port au Prince, Nueve (on Duarte Highway). 809 542-5151 aa.com Eagle San Juan weekends and vendors selling everything from massages to seafood to necklaces. On weekdays the beach is quiet, Car Rentals Aserca Airlines Caracas 809 563-5300 asercaairlines.com especially late in the afternoon. Major car rental companies have Avianca Bogotá 809 563-2209 avianca.com Boca Chica is famous for its powdery white sand and the branches at airports, hotels and city calmest waters thanks to a coral reef that protects from locations. Do not cut corners when Condor Frankfurt 809 689-9625 condor.com big breakers and creates a great lagoon. It is home to choosing your rental car service. Also Continental the Santo Domingo Yacht Club, for boating and sailing take out the extra insurance plan that Newark 809 262-1060 continental.com Juan Dolio Beach Airlines pursuits. City residents join tourists at the outdoor restau- is available. If you suffer an accident Copa Panama 809 472-2672 copaair.com rants that serve seafood with a touch of sea salt spray and that dents your car, for instance, the in- Cubana de views that make for excellent photo souvenirs. surance will prevent delays or hassles. Havana 809 227-2040 cubana.cu Aviación You must be at least 21 years, others Guayacanes Beach require drivers to be 25 years old. Delta Air Lines Atlanta, New York 809 200-9191 delta.com About 8 miles (13 kms) east of Boca Chica is the small TRAVEL TIME BOX Iberia Madrid, Barcelona 809 508-0288 iberia.com town of Guayacanes. The town’s beach can also get pretty Insel Air Saint Maarten 809 621-7777 fly-inselair.com crowded on weekends with a mix mainly of locals and Santo Domingo-Puerto Plata 3.5 hours some tourists, but its calm inviting waters and the ab- Boston, Orlando, Santo Domingo-Santiago 2 hours sence of large resorts only adds to its small village appeal. JetBlue Fort Lauderdale, 809 273-2772 jetblue.com Like Boca Chica, it is usually not crowded on weekdays. A New York, San Juan Santo Domingo-Jarabacoa 1.5 hours smattering of good restaurants is also a big draw, bring- Santo Domingo-Constanza 2 hours Liat Antigua 809 549-2036 liatairline.com ing in capital city dwellers for a day outing. Beach resort Pawa San Juan, Aguadilla 809 227-0331 pawadominicana.com Santo Domingo-Boca Chica 30 minutes Juan Dolio Beach Spirit Airlines Fort Lauderdale 809 549-2046 spiritair.com Santo Domingo-Juan Dolio 40 minutes About 2 miles (3 kms) east of Guayacanes, Juan Dolio Taca San José, Lima 809 200-8662 taca.com Beach is much more laid back than Boca Chica. High-rise Santo Domingo-Bayahibe 2 hours US Airways Philadelphia 809 549-0233 usairways.com beachfront residences cater to affluent city dwellers who Santo Domingo-La Romana 1.5 hours make the commute to enjoy the sea views and food at Dutch Antilles Curacao 809 541-5151 flydae.com the very good restaurants. The large expanse of shoreline Santo Domingo-Punta Cana 3.5 hours Express allows for a relaxing day at the beach. Santo Domingo-Samana 2 hours on toll road Aerocaribbean Santiago, Cuba 809 541-5151 aero-caribbean.com At the three beaches, small hotels and all-inclusive resorts Santo Domingo-Barahona 3 hours cater to tourists. The resorts even sell one-day passes with Las Americas arrivals and departures information: Tel 809 947-2297 all-included minus the room. Club Náutico Santo Domingo 38 Santo Domingo Guide dr1.com 39 Beaches & Golf Beaches & Golf Transport to the Beach Tee off Combine beach with golf. Great golf is not includes a 15-foot waterfall cascading into a Santo Domingo to the beach far from Santo Domingo. Juan Dolio features quarry pond and challenging plays around Hotel taxis or radio-taxi company units will two challenging 18 hole par 72 courses at indigenous coral rock formations. take you there and wait, for a negotiated Metro Country Club’s Los Marlins Golf Course price. For a cheap ride, check out Parque and at the Guavaberry Golf & Country Club’s Los Marlins Golf Course Enriquillo, the main bus hub for guaguas Gary Player-designed course. Reservations (buses) going to Boca Chica, Guayacanes are required for weekend play. and Juan Dolio. Public buses will make stops along the way; just let the driver know. Guavaberry Golf & Country Club Location: Juan Dolio From the beach to Santo Domingo Holes: 18 Buses traveling back to the capital can be Yardage: 7,156 Par 72 boarded along the Autovía del Este in Juan Designer: Gary Player Dolio and Guayacanes and along Duarte Av- Contact: guavaberrygolf.com.do enue in Boca Chica. 809 333-4653 Note: Express buses cost a bit more, are air- Guavaberry Golf & Country Club is a golf conditioned and go directly to their destina- seasoned with a mix of salt, garlic and oreg- residential community located 30 minutes tion. They let people off along the way but ano. Once a client asks for a specific fish, she east of Santo Domingo’s airport near the re- do not take on new passengers. Local buses coats it with flour and fries the fish twice so it sort town of Juan Dolio. The course design Location: Juan Dolio are not air-conditioned and make frequent “takes up a good flavor,” as she explains. Holes: 18 stops to let people on and off. Most of the fish sold in Boca Chica is either Yardage: 6,396, Par 72 Loro (Parrot Fish), Mero (Grouper) or Chillo Designer: Charles F. Ankrom Fried Fish, Boca Chica Style (Red Snapper). Contact: metrocountry.com Boca Chica is famous for its fried fish. Fish Fried fish comes as a “servicio” or combo 809 526-1200 vendor Rosanna Bautista says it’s the love and is accompanied by tostones (fried plan- Located in Juan Dolio, approximately 30 they add to the recipe that sets fried fish in tains) and aguacate (avocado). Patrons can minutes east of Santo Domingo’s airport, Los Boca Chica apart from the seafood served also add batata frita (fried sweet potato), bol- Marlins Golf Course is located at the Metro anywhere else on the island. litos de yuca (cheese-filled cassava), longani- Country Club. Numerous artistic bunkers, Just as in all the fish vending-stalls, Bau- za (pork sausage) or yaniqueques (Johnny lakes and mounds complement the sur- tista has her fish on display and ready to go, Cakes). rounding beauty of the Caribbean.

To: • San Pedro To Santo Domingo BOCA CHICA Guavaberry Golf de Macorís Parque Cibernético / ITLA and Country Club • Cueva de las BOCA CHICA - JUAN DOLIO Maravillas • La Romana Autopista Las Américas Parque Nacional Playa Boca Chica Autovía del Este Submarino JUAN DOLIO La Caleta Playa Andrés Los Marlins Aeropuerto Club Náutico de Internacional Santo Domingo de las Américas Multimodal GUAYACANES Boulevard Juan Dolio (SDQ) Caucedo (Cargo port) Playa Autovía del Este Playa Juan Dolio Resort town Heliport Beach Shipwreck Golf Guayacanes Expressway Bus station Surfing Park Boundaries Hotel Area KEY Road Marina Sailing Foot Trail Restaurants Playa Caribe Caribbean Sea International Airport Boat Launch Diving Casino Gas Station

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t O . r e a ic d Coral Mall D Puente r R . jía n e a e v i M t e s vo e M Flotante a A a o u ust Acrópolis Av. México l ll v. G Novocentro s g Chinatown d g A A a e i Piantini a r M n Av. Ecológ A v . ica era El Canal d z v U l r . San Juan Bosco o os Faro a Colón o A d e N a Parque Mirador del Este er o Plaza de st b c P Ciudad Colonial E H ú Plaza Central xi Casandra v. a é a A s n M 12 la Cultura A I . Damirón l e za v Esperilla o u . Jumbo Evaristo Morales ri A San Carlos t z to v s H . Pa A d L n rto Teatro Nacional Parque i e e n Z-3 a ó ob Conservatorio R c s r Sema Av. es Independencia C r Cuesta r o va a e cut de Música Av. Bolí A p á s Lo d Puerto de m c o u de l o e o Sansouci Isabelita é .L El Millón Pase r Gazcue Los Mameyes r v e as Z-4 i ona Industrial de A v. 27 de Febrero er c s Quisqueya A La Julia tr Joaquín Balaguer a Z on i) t é C 13 lin “El Malecón” s cour os J. Sánchez Ramírez Bil v. España “Pintura” Los Restauradores etan v. J nte Marina A ulo B a A UASD Bellas Artes ide Acuario Róm Sarasot res Bartlomé Colón Parque Litoral del Sur Av. Av. Amín Abel University eo P Z-2 Pas Nacional at UASD Univ. cia Malecón ( Plaza Juan To Haina, San Mirador Matahambre 14 den (Aquarium) To Aeropuerto Los 3 Cristóbal A Bella Vista pen Barón Internacional v Norte Bella Vista de Ojos Renacimiento . v. In Las Américas and Baní P Mall 15 A r ón i r v Cid a na y d cao ea Z-6 a Ana rr riquillo Av. Sur) Co

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Los Cacicazgos (A G t no I Francisco Caamaño Deñó ta KEY aye . Correa y Cidrón at Parque Mirador Av. C Honduras v A Abraham Lincoln del Sur Atala Centro De # Metro Station El Portal Mall/Shop Restaurant Airports El Cacique Los Héroes Centro de Los Héroes Jardines (La Feria) del Sur Mar Caribe Pedestrian Theater Avenue Sea/River 30 de Mayo To Haina, Baní Feria (Caribbean Sea) and San Cristóbal Ganadera Bank Bar/Nightclub Street Cruise Port

ngton) Cinema Hotel Bridge e Washi v. Georg Malecón (A Attraction Casino Parks/plaza

Z-2: 27 de Febrero & Z-3: Ciudad Colonial Z-4: Gazcue & the Malecón Z-5: Venezuela, San Z-1: Polígono Central J F Kennedy and Duarte Vicente, España Z-6: Avenida Luperón

Ave. Gustavo Mejía Ricart is at the “La 27” and “La Kennedy” are dotted “La Zona,” a UNESCO World Heritage Tree-lined streets and 19th century These avenues are home to grassroots “La Luperón” is a new shopping heart of the Poligono Central, the with large plazas. These are also the Cultural Site, is a one-stop location homes with verandas. Art galleries, merengue, salsa and bachata. On “La zone in western Santo Domingo. center for business, dining, shopping central cross-city expressways, routes for souvenirs, restaurants and museums and shows at Bellas Artes Venezuela,” 6 nightclubs are within Major stores located there sell and nightlife. There are more than that are used for those heading east nightlife. “La Duarte” is for bargain and Plaza de la Cultura. The emblem- walking distance. “La San Vicente” brands at reasonable prices. The 400 eating and drinking spots in this or north or entering the city. shopping. It leads into Chinatown for atic Malecón borders the Caribbean and Av. España are for Latin dancing Ministry of Tourism’s new of ces likewise residential zone. oriental sights and sounds. and is the city’s main hotel area. and colmadon open-bar sharing. are there, too. 42 Santo Domingo Guide dr1.com 43 KEY Dominican Republic Highway/autopista # kms. between Cities/kms. entre ciudades Main Road/via principal Cruise Port/Puerto de crucero Cayos Bahía de Cayo Arena Montecristi Playa Secondary Road/Via secundaria Protected Area/Área protegida Siete Punta Pastilla Hermanos Popy Playa Buen (Paraíso) Hombre Playa La Playa Cofresí Caution/precaución Ocean/Sea/River/Lake - Océano/Mar/Río/Lago Playa El Morro Playa Ensenada La Luperón Playa Maimón Costambar Playa Juan Bolaños MONTECRISTI Punta Rucia Isabela Ocean World City and Town/Ciudad y pueblo International Airport/Aeropuerto internacional Aeropuerto Gregorio Luperón (POP) Costa Dorada

Estero Balsa Loma Isabel Playa Dorada Sosúa de Torres 20 115 Imbert Playa Encuentro Point of Interest/Punto de interés Domestic Airport/Aeropuerto doméstico Bahía de Villa Parque PUERTO

25 Cabarete Playa Caletón Playa Grande

Nacional Los Damajagua Playa El Bretón Manzanillo Vásquez PLATA Laguna Gri-Gri Pepillo Salcedo Estero Hondo Hidalgos 70 Monte Sabaneta © 2011 PRO RD S.A. (dr1.com) • Email: [email protected] • Tel. 809.769.9560 Llano Parque El Choco Guananico Altamira de Yásica 70

Villa Cabrera errenas NORTH & Laguna Rio Elisa Gaspar Parque Playa Diamante NORTHWEST Salada 60 Navarrete Sonador Jamao San Juan Villa al Norte Hernández Nacional Playa La Entrada MAO Esperanza González Cabo Francés DAJABÓN La Cumbre Viejo Atlantic Ocean Los Quemados Aeropuerto Internacional SANTIAGO del Cibao (STI) Reserva Científica

SABANETA alle Puerto MOCA Loma Quita Espuela

Aeropuerto El Portillo (EPS) Escondido Loma de NAGUA Monción Matancita SALCEDO Aeropuerto El Catey(AZS) Santo Las T Las Terrenas/Playa Playa Punta Popy

35 El Portillo

Cabrera Pozo de Bojolo SAN FRANCISCO Playa Bonita Cerro El Factor Playa Cosón Playa Rincón Villa DE MACORÍS Salto Playa El V Playa Las Galeras San José Jánico El Limón Tapia 70 65 Rancho Restauración de las Matas Español 50 LA Castillo El Pozo SAMANÁ Parque Nacional VEGA El CENTRAL 40 Pimentel Catey Sánchez Aerop. J. Armando Bermúdez 30 Arroyo Barril (DAB) Playa Los Cacaos Cayo Levantado Haiti JARABACOA NORTHEAST Bahía de Samaná Puerto Bahía Fantino Pico Duarte 40 Carretera de Samaná Sabana de la Mar Pedro Santana Parque Nacional Manabao Caño La Playa Esmeralda Punta Limón José del Carmen Ramírez Hondo Laguna Bánica COTUÍ Redonda Ciénaga Reserva Científica Las Cañitas Laguna Ébano Verde BONAO Miches Limón Playa Nisibón Parque Nacional La Mina Maimón Las Matas 73 Los Haitises 35 de Farfán CONSTANZA Aeropuerto de MONTE 45 85 Constanza (COZ) PLATA 50 SAN JUAN DE SOUTHCENTRAL Reserva Científica Playa Uvero Alto LA MAGUANA ELÍAS Piedra Lagunas Redonda Playa Macao PIÑA y Limón Blanca Yamasá Playa Arena Gorda Autopista Duarte Bayaguana HATO EL SEIBO Playa El Cortecito Cruce de Playa Bávaro MAYOR La Otra los Isleños Villa Playa Cabeza de Toro Altagracia 45 Banda Aerop. Internacional Verón Aerop. Internacional 85 40 60 Sabana Larga 85 La Isabela (JBQ) HIGÜEY de Punta Cana (PUJ) La EAST & SOUTHEAST Cruce de Descubierta San José Los Cacaos Pedro SANTO Verón Punta Cana JIMANÍ Postrer Guerra Aerop. Internacional Cap Cana Rio Villa SOUTHWEST de Ocoa La Colonia Brand DOMINGO SAN PEDRO Expr DE MACORÍS La Romana (LRM) San Rafael Jaragua Cambita eso mér vía del Es Garabito 30 L as A icas to te 35 de Yuma Casa Ponce de León AZUA Au Lago Enriquillo Autopista 6 de Noviembre 41 LA ROMANA El Limón 33 NEIBA Vicente 80 Parque SAN CRISTÓBAL La Playita Duvergé Noble Caracoles Haina Cabo San Rafael Nacional 55 res Ojos Boca Tamayo Cuevas del Pomier La Caleta Isla Cabritos Canoa Parque de Yuma Playa Palmar 35 Faro a Colón Laguna Rincón Los T Nacional Puerto de Cabral de Ocoa Sabana del Este Bahía Buey BANÍ Playa Najayo Playa Caribe Escondido Bahía Playa Palmilla de Yuma Casa de Campo Altos de Chavón de Neiba Sombrero Paya Playa Juan Dolio Playa Guayacanes

Cabral Playa Playa Cumayasa Playa Boca Chica Isla Catalina El Cachón Matanzas Playa Nizao Cueva Las Maravillas Parque Nacional Polo Playa Blanca Playa Las Las Palenque

BARAHONA Puerto de La Romana Playa Bayahibe

Playa Monte Rio Isla Catalinita Sierra de Bahoruco magnético Salinas Calderas

Polo Playa Dominicus Mano Hoyo de Aeropuerto María Montez (BRX) Isla Saona Pelempito Aerop. Las Américas (SDQ) Juan La Mona Canal Dunas de Baní PEDERNALES Playa San Rafael Paraíso Playa El Quemaito Aerop. Cuevas de las Maravillas (SPM) Playa Los Patos Aeropuerto de Caletón Caribbean Sea Enriquillo Cabo Rojo (CBJ) 135 Playa Cabo Rojo Parque Playa Bahía de Nacional Oviedo Las Aguilas Jaragua Laguna de Oviedo

EAST & SOUTHEAST NORTHEAST & SAMANA Discover the DR SOUTHWEST CENTRAL NORTH & NORTHWEST The Dominican Republic is a country of Among the Southwest's best attractions are Enjoy the wonders of the eastern and The central part of the DR has its wonders, Samaná is an escape of natural beauty. Los The northern part of the DR has the country's wonders. If you have a few days, rent a car, the Lago Enriquillo, Bahía de las Aguilas, southeastern part of the DR by visiting Isla including the mountain towns of Constanza Haitises, Playa Rincón or the Salto del best wind and water sports. Enjoy the Punta Rucia mark a few points on your map and enjoy the Cabo Rojo and the Polo Magnético. Must Saona, Isla Catalina or the Cuevas de las and Jarabacoa (access to the highest Limón should be on the list. Cayo Levantado sand bar, take up rounds of golf at Playa Dorada best the DR has to offer. The following are sees also include the Hoyo de Pelempito Maravillas.Take in the sights of Altos de peak), and the artistic and cultural centers is worth a trip and whale-watching is for or Playa Grande. Mt Isabela de Torres's botanical recommendatiosn for some of the best sights (Park), Salt Mines and the Larimar Mines. Chavon, the waters of Playa Macao or golf at Bonao with its Centro Bido and Santiago those visiting mid January to end of March. garden are a great adventure, Damajagua falls 44 Santo Domingo Guide dr1.com 45 and attractions outside of Santo Domingo. at one of 15 courses. with its Centro Leon. or Ocean World's day and evening shows. DR1 Directories HOTELS • MAPS • PHOTOS • REVIEWS

When you search online, you'll soon notice it's di cult or impossible to nd or contact many of the small and unique hotels dotted around the Dominican Republic. DR1.com solved the problem with the new DR1 Hotel Directory.

Independent travel now is easy. Check out the largest collection of hotels and resorts in Santo Domingo and the rest of the Dominican Republic. All-inclusives and lodging only hotels featured. dr1.com/directories/Hotels-Resorts.html

"Funding provided by the Caribbean Trade and Private Sector Development Programme (CTPSDP) funded by the European Union, 46 Santo Domingo Guide 9th European Development Fund for CARIFORUM Countries". dr1.com 47 SANTO DOMINGO IS CLOSER THAN YOU THINK Discover the historic City of Firsts. The oldest city in the New World will make its indelible mark upon your heart and you will discover that one visit will never be enough!

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