Tours

Ciudad Colonial Tour—Santo Domingo

Santo Domingo, being the oldest European city in the New World, has numerous historic treasures to discover. Visitors can see diverse colonial architecture as well as examples of medieval European architecture, a rarity in North America.

Catedral Basílica Menor de Santa María, Primada de America, was the first cathedral founded in the New World. Designed by the architect Alonzo Rodríguez in 1514, with Diego Colón, the son of Christopher Columbus, laying its first stone, the cathedral was finished in 1540. The remains of Christopher Columbus were found here in 1877 during restoration work. In 1892, the government of Spain donated a tomb, in which the explorer's remains rested until their removal to the Faro a Colón. The cathedral underwent a full restoration in 1992. New gargoyles were added along with sculptures at the gates depicting the indigenous people of Hispaniola.

Another important building, the Alcázar de Colón lies at the end of Calle Las Damas. It was constructed by Diego Colón between 1510 and 1514. For six decades it was the seat of the Spanish crown in the New World. It now houses the interesting Museo Virreinal (Viceregal Museum). Near this castle you can also find Las Atarazanas, a cluster of 16th-century buildings, which served as warehouses and now contain stores, bars and restaurants.

The city's most important ruins include the Monasterio de San Francisco, the first monastery in the Americas, constructed in the first decade of the 16th century. It was sacked by Francis Drake and finally destroyed by two earthquakes in 1673 and 1751. Started in 1509 by Nicolás de Ovando and completed in 1552, the Hospital San Nicolás de Bari was the first hospital built of stone in the Americas. It is considered one of the best-constructed buildings of the period, because it has survived many earthquakes and hurricanes. Now it also lies in ruins, however, for the benefit of the Dominican pigeons.

Located on Calle Las Damas, the first European-built street in the continent, Museo de las Casas Reales is a reconstructed early 16th-century building, which in colonial times served as a governmental palace, housing the Chancellery of the Indies among other offices. Now it doubles as an art gallery with exhibitions of contemporary Dominican art. Also on this important street, you can find the Reloj de Sol (sundial) built in 1753 by order of General Francisco de Rubio. Next to that lies the Capilla de Nuestra Señora de Los Remedios, built in the early 16th century as a private chapel for the Dávila family.

Another interesting building in the Ciudad Colonial is the Torre del Homenaje inside Fortaleza Ozama. Reached through the mansion of Rodrigo Bastidas on Calle Las Damas, the tower is now completely restored and features a museum/gallery with temporary exhibitions. It is the oldest fortress in the Americas, constructed between 1503 and 1507 by Nicolás de Ovando, whose house on the same street has been restored and converted into a splendid hotel. Now the offices of the Banco Popular, the Casa del Cordón was built in 1509 by Francisco de Garay, who accompanied Columbus on his first voyage to Hispaniola.

Faro a Colón and the National Aquarium

Near the Ciudad Colonial in Santo Domingo, there are two modern attractions built to pay homage to the history and ecology of the area. One was designed to honor Christopher Columbus's vision and the other to let visitors see the natural riches of the Caribbean waters of Santo Domingo.

Located in the west part of the city, on the far side of the Río Ozama, the Faro a Colón is an impressive architectural structure that houses the remains of Christopher Columbus. A permanent exhibition inside consists of a series of informative displays on the history and culture of each of the American nations and of other remote regions. The lighthouse is built in the form of a cross, a design chosen to reflect the Christian significance of the conquest, and the vision and intention of Christopher Columbus. Crosses are also frequently used as ornamental elements in the interior design and decoration of the structure. At night, a light projects against the sky in the form of a cross that can be seen from every point in Santo Domingo.

Five minutes away, you will find Tres Ojos, where you can enjoy natural underground springs and caves with easy public access. It is called Tres Ojos, or three eyes, for its three lagoons located 15 meters into the caverns.

The Acuario Nacional, or National Aquarium of the Dominican Republic, opened on November 8, 1990. Its open, modern design allows many beautiful vistas of the Caribbean waters from which the aquarium obtains its marine life. Due to the museum's privileged location near the ocean, the 250 species that live inside 90 tanks and seven pools can be exhibited almost in their natural environment. The main attraction of the Acuario Nacional is its transparent tunnel through a tank containing more than one million liters of seawater. You can view fascinating marine life underwater without learning to dive. Among the many species swimming above you and hiding among the artificial coral reefs, you'll see Carey sea turtles, sharks, barracudas and many tropical species indigenous to the Santo Domingo area. Another attraction that never fails to captivate visitors is the shark pool. The 250,000-liter tank contains beautiful and majestic cat sharks, safely viewed from a proximity that many would shy away from under other circumstances.

Santo Domingo's Beaches

Santo Domingo is a Caribbean city, and a visit here would be incomplete without touring the many beaches around the city. Sand and sun are the staples of the tourists in the Dominican Republic, but many beaches here have more than just tanning to amuse you.

Just east of Santo Domingo and a few miles past the airport, you will find the town and beach of Boca Chica. It is crowded with locals on Sundays and holidays because of its proximity to Santo Domingo. The town has three large all-inclusive resorts and a host of small hotels, rooming houses and condos. Just behind the beach is Calle Duarte, where all the off-beach action can be found. Here you will find a string of bars, restaurants, gift shops and discos. The Hotel Hamaca has a casino and a disco open to the public. The activities in the resorts will keep you entertained and safe. But if you go out at night, try not to walk alone in the streets. It's a great scene for singles and party crowds, but it is not recommended for family vacationers. There are many other more suitable locations for children. But don't miss the beauty of the Boca Chica beach itself.

A few minutes farther east, you come to the tourist town and beach of Juan Dolio. Juan Dolio has several hotels and resorts ranging from two to five stars. It also has some smaller and less expensive hotels. There is a little nightlife, but not on the scale of Boca Chica. The beaches here are quiet and pristine. The surf is calm because a barrier reef about a hundred yards off shore keeps the waves down. Most of the area between the reef and the beach is very shallow, making it ideal for walking out to the reef, and for snorkeling and diving. Almost all the Juan Dolio resorts are all-inclusive and located on beachfront property. The Coral Costa Caribe and the Decameron casinos are open to the public. This is a great place for a more relaxed vacation experience.

Drive a little farther east to the city of La Romana. The city itself has few attractions other than the beach. However, the largest sugar mill in the world fills the oceanfront area. Just outside of La Romana, you have the famous Casa de Campo resort and the Altos de Chavón artist's village. Casa de Campo has fine golf courses, and many rate the Teeth of the Dog course as the best in the Caribbean. This resort has hosted a number of celebrities and golf championships in its 30-plus-year history. One can purchase one of the villas on the property at a cost of about a million US dollars. But a stay at one of the local resorts might be more manageable for the average tourist.