Welcome from the Dominican Republic WelcomeWelcome Ministerfrom to the the Dominicanof Dominican Tourism Republic! Republic Bienvenidos On behalf a la of República the DominicanMinister Dominicana! Republic of On Tourism behalf Ministry of the Dominican of Tourism, Republic it is (DR) a Ministry of Tourism and the country’s warm, friendly people, it is my pleasure to Bienvenidos pleasure to a la welcome República Dominicana! you to Santo On behalf Domingo, of the Dominican the capital Republic of (DR) our welcome delegates attending the 17th annual Florida Caribbean Cruise Association Ministry country of and Tourism the first and the European country’s warm, city in friendly the Americas. people, it is The my exploration pleasure to (FCCA) conference to our capital city, Santo Domingo. We are honored and excited to welcome of the New delegates World attending began the in 17th the annual Colonial Florida City, Caribbean located Cruise in the Association heart of host members of the FCCA in our beautiful country and in America’s first city founded in (FCCA) conference to our capital city, Santo Domingo. We are honored and excited to the modern Santo Domingo that we know today. 1498 by the Columbus family. host members of the FCCA in our beautiful country and in America’s first city founded in 1498 by the Columbus family. Governor Bartolomé Colón founded the city of Santo Domingo in The DR is a destination like no other – featuring a stunning array of unspoiled white-sand August 1496. With more than 500 years of culture, its attributes beaches, dazzling landscapes, mountains studded with waterfalls and rivers, lush green The DR is a destination like no other – featuring a stunning array of unspoiled white-sand coconut palm forests, exotic cuisine and a remarkable variety of arts and entertainment beaches, dazzling landscapes, mountains studded with waterfalls and rivers, lush green offer the world a living testimony of the past that has shaped us as options. coconut palm forests, exotic cuisine and a remarkable variety of arts and entertainment a nation. Proudly, In the Santo Colonial Domingo City, was awarded visitors the can distinction discover of the being Alcázar named de the Cultural options. Colón, Capital Proudly, as well of Santo the as the Americas Domingo first for was university 2010, awarded underscoring and the distinction the first its of wealth being Cathedral of named important of the the landmarks, monuments, arts, theater and culture. For over five centuries, the city has Cultural Americas. Capital Here, of the you Americas can visit for historic 2010, underscoring buildings its and wealth the of authentic important served as gateway to the Americas. landmarks, monuments, arts, theater and culture. For over five centuries, the city has cobblestone streets once walked by the Spanish conquerors. served as gateway to the Americas. While in Santo Domingo, you must pay a visit to the historic and priceless Colonial City, Located along the Caribbean Sea, this legendary city is rich in While in Santo Domingo, you must pay a visit to the historic and priceless Colonial City, a UNESCO museums, World monuments, Heritage Site theaters, and home to restaurants America’s first and city historical including the sites first cathedral, university, palace and cobblestone streets that conqa UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to America’s first uistadors once strolled. city including the first cathedral, university, palace and cobblestone streets that conqsuch as the Columbus Lighthouse. Santo Domingouistadors once strolled. is also easily accessible with two international airports, excellent infrastructure The DR has it all for travelers. Unspoiled beaches, top-ranked championship golf The DR has it all for travelers. Unspoiled beaches, top-ranked championship golf courses, and seaports, world-class making sports, it exciting the gateway nightlife for and the myriad thousands opportunities of miles for eco of courses, world-class sports, exciting nightlife and myriad opportunities for eco adventure are the right ingredients for an unforgettable vacatiDominican coast. on experience. adventure are the right ingredients for an unforgettable vacation experience. The Dominican DR considers Republic it a privilege has to partner it all: with beautiful the cruise industry beaches, to showcase stunning our The DR considers it a privilege to partner with the cruise industry to showcase our amazing country to cruise ship travelers. Please have a very productive conference and mountains, majestic waterfalls, exotic cuisine, a wide range of amazing country to cruise ship travelers. Please have a very productive conference and be sure to explore Santo Domingo and beyond during your stay with us. Then, come be sure to explore Santo Domingo and beyond during your stay with us. Then, come entertainment activities, art, culture, adventure and ecotourism, back and visit us often to enjoy our breathtaking comforts of sback and visit us often to enjoy our breathtaking comforts of sgolf courses and exciting nightlife. We invite youun, sea and sand.un, sea and sand. to discover the many facets of Dominican Republic and hope you enjoy your stay Sincerely,Sincerely,as much as we like to share our tropical paradise with you! Francisco Javier GarcíaFrancisco Javier García Minister of Tourism, Dominican RepublicMinister of Tourism, Dominican Republic TOP 10 SANTO DOMINGOGuide Our Cover: Check your list! Alcázar de Colón 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 9 mile-long maritime boulevard Dominican Republic. 1 1510-1512 to lodge the King of Spain’s 6 fringed by palm trees, with benches Av. Cayetano Germosén & niece and impress on fellow Europeans to sit on and admire 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. Gustavo Mejía Ricart, Pastoriza, www.GoDominicanRepublic.com 7 Lope de Vega, Tiradentes, Churchill & All contents © DR1Guides Catedral Primada de América Lincoln avenues are in the center of Gustavo Mejía Ricart 119B-408, 2 The first cathedral in the Americas, the modern city’s bustling Polígono Santo Domingo, Rep. Dominicana consecrated in 1540, built primarily in the Central neighborhoods. Malls and Tel 809 565-6510 www.dr1.com IberoamericanCarnival Capital Gothic style, hosts inspirational choral many “in” shops, restaurants, cafes of Carnival 2014 evenings for Easter Sunday and and nightspots keep the vibe. Editorial Director: is in the air Christmas Day. The cathedral is the Dolores Vicioso Avenida Venezuela [email protected] Check it out, there is always something happening in Santo backdrop to the picture-perfect Domingo. The most vibrant city in the Caribbean, Santo Domingo Parque Colón, one of the best-loved Large discos and regular performances of 809 223-2725 8 is the birthplace of the Americas. The leading university town urban spaces in Santo Domingo. Dominican salsa, merengue and bachata Sales: bands is the trademark of this area that Alejandra Alvarez and the city with most museums in Central America and the Jardín Botánico is popular with Dominicans yet hardly Jaime Alberto Moreno Caribbean, it features culture and entertainment for all ages. Because of its size, flora diversity and known by tourists. 20 minutes from Socializing is a national pastime and this sets the tone in 3 beauty, it is popular with locals for early Sans Souci Port and the airport, on the Graphic Design: the capital city, marked by thousands of restaurants, bars and morning and afternoon walks. Boca Chica side of the city. Sasha de Lemos [email protected] colmadones, the local pubs. Visitors are invited to join in. The Colonial City is being given a US$30 million facelift in Mercado Modelo Casa de Teatro Internet Director: Former green market turned arts Center of bohemian life in Santo 2013. The city is preparing to be the Iberoamerican Capital of 4 9 Robert Woolford Carnival in 2014. This is truly a city of events every day, every and crafts center. It’s a labyrinth of Domingo, stage for up-and-coming [email protected] small shops for a leisurely stroll to artists and old-time great performers weekend, every month. find a memorable souvenir. with a hip bar to boot. Use this guide as a checklist and introduction to exploring what the city has to offer. Our website, dr1.com keeps Faro a Colón Palacio de Bellas Artes you posted on what is happening in Santo Domingo. Christopher Columbus’ remains are The Palace of the Fine Arts is home to See dr1.com/calendar & dr1.com/forums for Q&A. 5 located here, enshrined in a bronze 10 the national schools of the visual arts, and marble monument and insights ballet, dance, folklore and drama. into the DR’s Hispanic heritage. Av. Máximo Gómez & Independencia. Inside Cruise Ship Info 08 What’s near the port KEY Cruise Arrivals 101 Dominican Republic Highway/autopista # kms. between Cities/kms. entre ciudades Main Road/via principal Cruise Port/Puerto de crucero + 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