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 T 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 V Aeropuerto El Portillo (EPS) Escondido Loma de NAGUA Monción Matancita SALCEDO Aeropuerto El Catey(AZS) Santo Las 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 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 res Ojos Boca 55 T Tamayo Cuevas del Pomier La Caleta Isla Cabritos Canoa Parque de Yuma Playa Palmar 35 Faro a Colón Laguna Los 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.