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As the oldest city in the New World, this colorful capital takes you back five centuries, to the days of Columbus’ discovery. Today, Santo Domingo is a bustling international metropolis. The Dominican Republic is a sportsman's paradise. The beaches of the Dominican Republic are as idyllic as any in the Caribbean: powdery white sand studded with palm trees, often stretching unbroken for miles and lapped by the crystalline waters of the Caribbean.

Though there are interesting sights throughout the city, the major historic attractions are concentrated in what is known as the Colonial Sector. The Colonial Sector’s main thoroughfare is the Calle de las Damas (Street of the Ladies). Behind the name is a charming story. When Diego de Colón, the Great Admiral’s son, was named Viceroy of the Indies in 1508, he arrived in Santo Domingo with a dazzling entourage of nobles and their wives. The local people, impressed by the pious grandeur of these European ladies, gave the street its current name.

The Fortaleza de Santo Domingo is a 16th-century military complex built to guard the entrance to the Ozama River and the city. The fortress tower, known as the Tower of Homage, is haunted by legends and filled with history. Next to the fortress is a prime example of a grand 16th-century colonial home. Solid and imposing on the outside, the House of Bastidas is delightfully spacious and inviting inside. This palatial structure was built for Rodrigo de Bastidas, the patriarch of one of the most influential families in the New World. Today the building houses several cultural institutions, including a library and a school.

For an interesting glimpse into the past, you should not miss the former home of the founder of Santo Domingo, Fray Nicolás de Ovando. Located down the street from the House of Bastidas, the structure is a magnificent example of colonial architecture. The house—now a small, intimate hotel called the Hostal Nicolás de Ovando—overlooks the Ozama River. It is tastefully decorated with period furniture and boasts the only Gothic-Isabelline portal in the Americas.

Nearby is the Capilla de Nuestra Señora de los Remedios (Chapel of Our Lady of Remedies), originally part of a palatial 16th-century house built for the powerful Davila family. The house has since been annexed by the Hostal Nicolás de Ovando, but the tiny stone chapel remains intact. Directly across the Ozama River from here is the Chapel of the Rosary, the oldest church in the country, dating back to the 16th century. Across from the Chapel of Our Lady of Remedies is an early 18th-century Jesuit church that today serves as the National Pantheon. Here lie the remains of the Dominican Republic’s greatest heroes, including General Pedro Santana, the five-time president of the republic.

The interesting gargoyles adorning the facade of the 16th-century building next door are unique to the Dominican Republic. Known as the House of Gargoyles, the structure was originally the University of Santiago de la Paz; years later it was used as a residence for the Jesuit order. Today, the House of Gargoyles is home to the Institute of Hispanic Culture. The remarkable Museum of the Royal Houses is located close by. This splendidly restored 16th-century complex originally housed the official headquarters for the government of the New World. In fact, replicas of the viceroy’s throne room, as well as the old colonial courtrooms, can still be seen. The museum also contains several important collections, including detailed displays of the Dominican Republic’s history from pre-Columbian times to the present.

At the end of Calle de las Damas, steps lead to the Alacázar de Colón. This imposing stone structure was the palace of Christopher Columbus’ heir Diego and his wife. The Alcázar, a palatial Renaissance residence with various Moorish and Gothic-Isabelline accents, holds one of the most significant collections of period furniture in the Americas. Near the Alcázar is the old entrance to the city from the port, the Gate of San Diego.

Heading west from the Alcázar, you will come upon the ruins of the San Francisco Monastery, located on a small hill in the heart of the old city. The monastery, constructed in the 16th century, was nearly complete when an earthquake struck in 1673. The three buildings—a church, a convent and a chapel—were destroyed, but the ruins are an impressive sight. Nearby, on Arzobispo Meriño, is the new Amber World Museum, which houses exhibits pertaining to the designated national gem. The museum’s shop, located on the first floor, features lovely pieces of jewelry fashioned with amber; visitors can also watch artisans working on the final product.

Near the intersection of Calle de las Damas and El Conde Street is the Parque Colón, a charming plaza that was once the heart of colonial Santo Domingo. The plaza is dominated by a bronze statue of the Great Admiral. Adjacent to the park is the oldest cathedral in the New World and one of the most distinguished structures in the Colonial Sector. Construction of the Cathedral of Santo Domingo began in the early 16th century, and it was inaugurated in 1542. It is a stately structure with Gothic influences and a beautiful facade with ornamentation resembling a silver plate.

Visitors to the capital are always drawn to the city’s main waterfront thoroughfare, El Malecón. High-rise hotels, restaurants, discos, shops and outdoor cafés line this popular boulevard, while just across the street are coconut palms and the blue Caribbean. Located along El Malecón is the Obelisk of Santo Domingo, which in early 1997 was repainted with a mural honoring the Mirabal sisters of Salcedo. The three sisters were killed in 1960 by the secret police of former dictator Rafael Leónidas Trujillo. The Plaza de la Cultura, set in a beautifully landscaped park, is the heart of the country’s cultural life. The complex includes the Museum of the Dominican Man, the Natural History Museum, the Museum of History and Geography, the Museum of Modern Art and the National Theater.

Because the first European colonies in the New World were established in what is now the Dominican Republic, the country had a special interest in the commemoration of the Quincentennial, celebrated around the world throughout 1992. The apex of this celebration was the official lighting and dedication of the Columbus Memorial Lighthouse, located in the center of the Mirador del Este Park. The mammoth concrete-and-stone structure, in the shape of a crucifix, measures almost 800 feet in length; 149 powerful beams project the image of the cross onto the night sky, a dramatic apparition visible from hundreds of miles away.

Another popular attraction is the Tres Ojos de Agua (Three Eyes of Water), three spectacular underwater lagoons. Located along the Las Américas Highway, they constitute one of the most unique settings anywhere. Several Tarzan movies were filmed here. Also worth a visit is the Acuario Nacional, a beautifully landscaped park whose highlights include giant turtles living in their natural habitat and glass-enclosed exhibits where you can closely observe circling sharks.

The aquarium is located on España Avenue in the Los Mameyes area. Nature lovers might also enjoy the Jardín Botánico and the Parque Zoológico Nacional, both located in the Arroyo Hondo neighborhood. You can tour the gardens in a carriage, a pleasant way to spend a quiet afternoon. At the zoo, the animals roam freely in natural landscapes surrounded by moats.

Activities:
Since Santo Domingo proper has no beaches, the coastal area to the east of the city, known as the Costa Caribe, has witnessed significant development. Here, the once-sleepy villages of Boca Chica, Juan Dolio and Guayacanes are now home to first-rate hotels and restaurants along a beautiful stretch of beach. The area is quite popular with European tourists, who like its casual village atmosphere.

The beauty of the Costa Caribe beaches is especially enticing given their proximity to the city. Boca Chica is protected by a large coral reef that runs parallel to the shore. The calm, shallow waters are perfect for swimming, and the reef itself provides fascinating scuba diving and snorkeling. Sailing and fishing in the waters off the Costa Caribe are also popular pastimes. The undersea gardens and reefs provide habitat for a number of game fish.

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