A short walk along Las Damas is reminiscent of the 16th century, populated by soldiers and damsels, monks and nobles, pirates and slaves. Discover the first cathedral in America - the Fortress of Columbus, where Columbus’ son Diego Colon reigned as King Virrey, the first tribunals, and to the location of the first tavern. Today in the old city, you can find a variety of museums, restaurants, bars and galleries. Modern Santo Domingo offers excellent shopping, cosmopolitan restaurants, and a nightlife scene buzzing with the rhythm of the Caribbean. The port area, where you will find the cruise ship terminal, welcomes you with neverending traffic. Discoteques, clubs and casinos light up the night in Santo Domingo.

< Back

Encompassing an area of nearly two million square metres the botanical garden includes grand displays of tropical plants, aquatic plants and orchids native to the island. The Dominican Republic produces more than 300 varieties of orchids.

< Back

 

The national zoo has created a natural habitat for a wide variety of animals from the tropics and other parts of the world, including elephants, lions, tigers, zebras and antelope.

 

< Back

 

These mysterious caves lead to three lagoons which are very cold and very deep. There are stalactites and stalagmites in this spectacular subterranean world.

< Back

 

You can see all species from angels to sharks! The star of the aquarium is Tamaury, a orphaned manatee rescued off the coast of Barahona. The national aquarium is located on Avenida de Espana.

< Back

 

Designed by J.L. Gleave, English architect, whose design won the international contest celebrated in 1928. There were 455 plans submitted by architects of 48 countries. Besides being the resting place of the remains of Cristopher Columbus, the lighthouse also stores documents and artifacts of the colonial age. The lighthouse illuminates the night sky with intense rays which form a cross in the clouds.

< Back

Thirty kilometers to the east of Santo Domingo lies the seaside town of Boca Chica, developed during the first part of this century by Gift Juan Vicini, a rich industrial sugar maker. In those days it was the favorite destination of the city folk. The old Hotel Hammock would become the social center of the age. It was the place of seeing and to be seen. The beach of Boca Chica enjoys slow current, transparent water, a yacht club and marina, nearby golf course in the San Andres region and excellent seafood restaurants. The new Boca Chica is more popular than ever!

 

< Back

 

What once was a small, beach town shaded by coconut palms has quickly become the Caribbean Riviera. Juan Dolio offers a complete tourist infrastructure including spectacular hotels and activities of all types.

< Back

 

This town had traditionally been a prosperous sugar port until the 1970’s when the Gulf & Western developed Casa de Campo - one of the most famous resorts in the world. The nearby Altos de Chavon, overlooking the Rio Chavon, is a town of artists, strikingly similar to many of the southern country towns of France and Italy. It includes the impressive Taína Museum of Archaeology, an ampitheatre where many international artists have performed, and the School of Design Parsons. Some of the most spectacular beaches in the country are along the nearby Oriental Coast. Near Casa de Campo is the region of Bayahíbe, beach of daydreams. The Coral Canoa, complete tourist complex of Coral Hotels & Resorts, also enjoys one of the most beautiful beaches of the Caribbean, bordered by coconut palms which give shade to the pure white sand. The boat trips across to the islands of Catalina and Saona lead you to beaches reminiscent of Robinson Crusoe!

 

< Back

 

The beaches along the oriental coast are among the most beautiful than you will find. Bávaro, with its series of hotels, parks and golf courses, is minutes from the Punta Cana airport. Manatí Park is a delight and offers the opportunity of swimming next to the dolphins as part of its educational program. The Dancing Horses is a spectacular event orchestrated by the Spanish Equestrian School of Vienna. Enjoy the skills of these magnificent purebred horses.

 

< Back

 

Santiago is the country’s second most important city after Santo Domingo and is the main urban center of the fertile agricultural region Cibao, known for one of the best tobaccos in the world. The cultural center of Santiago rivals that of the capital city. The Pontificia Catholic University Mother and Master is one of the best in the country. Santiago is the cradle of the merengue, the national rhythm that put Dominican Republic on the map! Santiago has also produced the largest number of national presidents.

 

< Back

 

The Barahona landscape consists of mountains, streams, waterfalls, exuberant vegetation and kilometers of beaches. The province is one of the largest natural habitats and includes Lake Enriquillo, the largest of the Antilles, with its Island Cabritos. This small island is home to more than 50 species of fowls including flamingos, and is also a protected zone for the American Crocodile.

 

< Back

 

The park includes the island Saona. With a mainly tropical and subtropical forest, the park is well covered with trees native to the area. Here lives some mammals on the verge of extinction, such as the Western Antillean Manatee and the Bottlenose dolphin.

< Back

 

The park includes the island Saona. With a mainly tropical and subtropical forest, the park is well covered with trees native to the area. Here lives some mammals on the verge of extinction, such as the Western Antillean Manatee and the Bottlenose dolphin.

 

< Back

 

This area is rich in trees, mangroves and an extraordinary variety of birds. There is treasure of interesting caves such as La Arena which contains native pictographs and even pre-Columbian images.

< Back

 

Both the national park and the city of Limon are located in the northwest region of the country near Miches. You will encounter abundant fauna.

 

< Back

 

This is the largest fresh water lake in the Dominican Republic and has the largest population of fresh water turtles.

 

< Back

 

This national park is twelve kilometers long and 2.5 kilometers wide, and has Lake Enriquillo within it. It’s flora has more than 106 species includes some magnificent cactus’. The fowls and the reptiles are abound, as well as the American crocodile. In fact this part has one of the biggest populations of crocodiles in the world. The park is also inhabited with 62 species of fowl.

 

< Back

 

Jaragua National Park is the biggest protected area in the country. It includes Beata Island and Alta Velo Island, in the south east. The geological formations found here date back 50 million years. Also the biggest population of flamencos can be is seen here, particularly in Oviedo Lagoon.

 

< Back

 

Puerta Plata is wedged between its colonial port and the dramatic base of the Torres de Isabel mountain. Still standing after centuries is the fortress of San Felipe, erected in 1541 to defend against possible pirate attacks. Many of the century homes have been carefully restored, and the charming ach and nook in the park has been replicated by drawings and paintings Four kilometers from Puerta Plata is Playa Dorada. This is the location of the areas main tourist hotels beach facilities, tennis club, and an 18 hole golf course designed by Robert Trent Jones. The area also has a commercial center, and excellent restaurants, all inside an only world of pleasure.

 

< Back

 

The town was founded in 1756, in an era that was vulnerable to the pirates. In 1820 the immigrant slaves were liberated, and they established themselves in the area. They continued to preserve their customs and the rhythmic language of English. This peninsula is spectacular and is gifted with a number of beautiful small keys. The most famous one is Cayo Levantado.

 

< Back

 

 

 

Situated between Sánchez and Samaná, these tourist towns of the north coast offer nice beaches and exceptional vegetation.

< Back