Santo Domingo

OVERVIEW

The old and the new seamlessly blend in this modern metropolis that contains Ciudad Colonial, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is home to the first paved street, monastery, hospital, university and military fortress in the Americas. “La Capital,” as Santo Domingo is locally known, is also home to Catedral Primada de América, or First Cathedral in the Americas, which is the oldest standing cathedral in the Western Hemisphere.

WHAT_TO_SEE

Ciudad Colonial – This UNESCO World Heritage Site is where history comes alive in Santo Domingo. Colonial City is the oldest continuously inhabited European-founded settlement in the Americas. The capital’s most historic neighborhood is home to Alcázar de Colón, a museum located in the former home of the son of Christopher Columbus, Diego; Columbus Park, Ciudad Colonial’s central square where you will find a statue of Christopher Columbus and the Catedral de Santa María la Menor, or Catedral Primada de América, the oldest cathedral in the Americas; and Plaza España, a vibrant square overflowing with cafés and restaurants. Other must-see sights in Santo Domingo include the National Botanical Gardens, the largest in the Caribbean; and Calle El Conde, a pedestrian street lined with outdoor dining establishments and restored colonial buildings.

WHEN_TO_GO

The weather in Santo Domingo is good all year long. December through March sees the best weather, but also the most crowds. Hurricane season runs from June through November. If you want to experience Dominican Carnival, one of the biggest celebrations in the country, plan to visit in February.