Santo Domingo - Culture

One of the most beautiful colonial cities of the New World and, certainly the oldest. A walking tour of the sector reveals fortresses, colonial palaces and chapels, all dating back to the early 16th century. In those days, Santo Domingo was a place of intense political intrigue and romance. A walk along Las Damas street, recalls a world populated by court ladies and soldiers, monks and noblemen, pirates and slaves. Discover the first cathedral of America; the Columbus Alcazar, where his son Diego ruled as Viceroy; the first court of law. Here, men like Hernan Cortes, Ponce de Leon and Rodrigo de Bastidas lived, loved and plotted conquests. They set sail from this port in search of adventure, gold and new lands for the crown of Spain. Drake held the city ransom and, like a jealous lover, almost destroyed Santo Domingo. Museums, restaurants, bars, and galleries inhabit the old city today, but there are still magic moments to be captured in many a secluded romantic courtyard. The modern city provides excellent shopping, cosmopolitan restaurants, and a nightlife with all the rhythm of the Caribbean. The port area surrounding the cruise ship terminal on la Avenida del Puerto, greets an endless flow of traffic. Discos, clubs and casinos light up Santo Domingo nights.

ATTRACTIONS

NATIONAL BOTANICAL GARDEN

It is located in Altos de Gala area, an elevation that varies from 70 to 8 meters and occupies an area of 2 million square meters. Its climate is tropical, humid with average year precipitation of 1366mm and average temperature of 25.8 C.

NATIONAL ZOO

The National Zoo Park (ZOODOM) is one of the biggest in Latin America. It covers a big area with the view to the Isabela River. The animals are exhibited in areas similar to their natural environment.

NATIONAL AQUARIUM

This is a combination of displays and educational programs. The main species of the fresh and salted water fauna are showed emphasizing the importance of protection and handling of aquatic life.

LOS TRES OJOS NATIONAL PARK

This park is a huge natural cave in which interior we find two fresh water lakes and a sulfur lake which depths and sizes are different for each lake. Through the paths and sides we find a fourth one which is the biggest and appears to be a volcano extinguished crater. This is the most beautiful of all and its depth is unknown. It can be also reached crossing by boat the third one.

NATIONAL THEATER

It was opened in 1973. It has a big auditorium called Sala Principal, has a capacity for one thousand six hundred people. Besides the Sala Principal there is also Sala Ravelo with capacity for 175 and is used for speeches and other cultural activities.

COLUMBUS LIGHTHOUSE

The Columbus Lighthouse houses a number of museums displaying valuable and historic relics from the time of the Great Admiral, the Columbian Library. In the central axis and crosspiece of the monument is the mausoleum containing the Great Admiral's mortal remains.

MERCADO MODELO

This is the main arts and crafts center of the city where you can find a big diversity of artistic products, natural medicines, with products as well as fruits and vegetables. A great experience that has to be lived.

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