Santo Domingo de Guzman

Welcome to Santo Domingo de Guzman, capital of the Dominican Republic and the oldest city of the New World.  With more than 500 years of history, the capital of the nation combines the sophistication of the modern world, the charisma of the old, and the passion of Latin America.  This pulsating metropolis will seduce you with its rich cultural past, excellent gastronomy, and vibrant nightlife.

Santo Domingo is the first European City of the western hemisphere and has preserved an important part of its cultural heritage within the walls of the Zona Colonial which lies on the banks of the Ozama river. We find here an impressive collection of structures dating from the XVI century, of daunting stone houses and churches which reflect the end of the medieval age. Santo Domingo is the proud owner of the first Cathedral of the new world, the first monastery, the first hospital, the first University and the first Court House.

R ecognizing Santo Domingo as the cradle of the new world civilization, UNESCO has declared theZona Colonial as a World Heritage site. Some of its constructions which are several centuries old house picturesque bars and cafés, small hotels and well known restaurants. The big square bordered by the Palace of Diego Colón (el Alcázar), the ‘las Casas Reales’ Museum and a Sun dial dating from the XVII century, the café terraces become animated in the evenings welcoming tourists and residents looking for some intimacy and informality to escape from the days efforts. From there, they can admire the bright lights of the monumental ‘Faro a Colón’ situated on the other side of the Rio Ozama. This mausoleum houses the mortal remains of Christopher Columbus.

Beyond its remarkably conserved, beautiful colonial past, the cultural and artistic verve is expressed in the aptly named Plaza de la Cultura. This vast and green oasis in the heart of the city encases four museums, the library and the National Theater, concert halls, ballets, operas and prestigious theatre plays.

The city is modern and is almost horizontal in form with a total area of 40 kilometers square. It has developed into the biggest metropolis of the Caribbean and one of the biggest of the Americas.
A number of constructions reflect the city’s cultural development and modernization. Among them, are the Botanical gardens, the Zoological park, the Aquarium, the Palace of Fine Arts, the Dominican Republic Library and the Columbus Lighthouse. Without forgetting the picturesque ‘Mercado Modelo’, the main artisanal centre.
For the Dominican Republic, Santo Domingo is of the utmost importance in  political, cultural, business and all other aspects of national life, with a concentration of around two million inhabitants (of the 8 million estimated in the country). It also has the main sea ports, the main international airport and is also the seat of the government.
A number of international congresses and events of various countries, take place all year round in the reputed hotels as well as the modern Convention centre thanks to the city’s mild weather with an average of 26 degrees Celsius.

Even if your final destination remains the exquisite beaches that the country has to offer, we advise you to take a few days to get to know this city of great contrasts, and walk its tiny hidden streets steeped in history, admire its monuments and absorb the serene and peaceful climate under the Caribbean tropical sun.