Discover Santo Domingo

Santo Domingo de Guzmán — the full name of the capital — was founded in 1496 by Bartolomé Colón, the brother of Christopher Columbus. It was the first permanent European settlement in the New World, and here the superlatives of the Americas emerged: the first cathedral, the first university, the first hospital, the first street (Calle Las Damas), the first monastery.

Today, Santo Domingo is a city of contrasts: The Zona Colonial with its cobblestone streets and colonial palaces is a UNESCO World Heritage Site (since 1990). Just a few blocks away, highways roar, reggaetón blares from colmados, and skyscrapers rise into the tropical sky. The Malecón, the 14 km long promenade along the Caribbean Sea, is the city's meeting point in the evenings.

Most Punta Cana tourists skip Santo Domingo — a mistake. Plan at least 1.5–2 days. The city has the best gastronomy in the country, a vibrant nightlife, and a history that defined the Americas.