Come and enjoy the excitement of Santo Domingo and let us plan a pre or post-stay in this exciting city and country.  Please ask us for a quote and for complete information about the gay scene here.

Santo Domingo is the oldest city in the New World, where the settlement of all the Americas began.  See the first cathedral, the first hospital.  Wander down cobble stoned streets among the Spanish colonial architecture and imagine how things were back in the 1600's.

 No other city in the Caribbean has a greater variety of restaurants and nightlife.  There are so many restaurants in this city that it is practically impossible even for those who live here to have visited them all, it's a city that never sleeps.

Santo Domingo has great shopping.  Major chains from all around the world have opened branches here and more will be opening soon.  Discount stores offer great prices on designer brands, the leading shops offer clearance sales several times a year and there are many designer shops for more exclusive wear.

Santo Domingo is the most bustling and diverse city in the Caribbean.  It has a population of over three million inhabitants within the city and the Province of Santo Domingo and sprawls out over 250 square kilometers.

GEORGRAPHY

Santo Domingo is located on the south coast of the Dominican Republic, about mid way between the western border with Haiti and the eastern coastline.  The furthest western border, the north coast and east coast are all a four hour drive away.  Go east and the first major town you come to is the resort town of Boca Chica.  Go west and you will arrive at the Palenque and Nizao beach areas, also the newly habilitated Pomier Caves (the largest in the Caribbean).  Go north and you will pass the cities of Bonao and Jarabacoa as you work your way through the highest mountains in the Caribbean.

COLONIAL ZONE

The Colonial Zone is the perfect starting point for visitors to discover Santo Domingo.  Here, between Independence Park on the Ozama River, you will find the first city built in the New World by European settlers, including Columbus's brother Bartholomeo and his son, Diego Columbus.

The first street in the Americas is Calle de Las Damas, the site of numerous historic buildings including the Ozama Fortress, the oldest fortress in the Americas.  There is also the house of Nicolas de Ovando, governor of Santo Domingo in the early 1500's and a ruthless warrior against the Taino Indians.

Of great historical interest is the Museo de las Casas Reales (Museum of the Royal Houses), the restored 16th century palace of the Spanish Court, which features a wonderful glimpse of the past.  Nearby is the Alcazar de Colon (Castle of Columbus) built by Diego Columbus and his wife Maria de Toledo, niece of the Spanish King Ferdinand.

On a few streets over in the center of the walled city, visitors will find the Cathedral Basilica Santa Maria la Menor, pronounced the first cathedral in the New World by Pope Paul III in 1542.  While touring the colonial city, visitors can learn all about amber, the stone made even more famous by Steven Spielberg's Jurassic Park film.  The Amber Museum on Calle Arz. Merino features exceptional educational exhibits of this semi-precious jewel.

BEACHES NEAR SANTO DOMINGO

Boca Chica beach is a reef-protected lagoon of tranquil blue waters and powder-white sand.  One can wade out 100 yards from shore into glassy waters and still be only waist deep with nothing but soft clean sand underfoot.  It's the perfect beach for small children because there are no waves and no deep waters.  Boca Chica is crowded on Sundays when capital city dwellers make the half hour commute to the beach, returning home at dusk.  The rest of the week, the sand and sun is for the tourists.

Boca Chica is a "shopping beach" because vendors wander the beach or sell from their shops on the main street that runs parallel to the beach.  While tanning, you can haggle over silver jewelry and paintings, or get your hair braided in corn rows.  No heavy pressure.  Just people trying to get a few of your tourist dollars.

GETAWAYS

PUNTA CANA

The Punta Cana destination is made up of the areas (going from south to north) of Cap Cana (Juanillo), Punta Cana Cabeza de Toro, Bavaro, El Cortecito, Arena Gorda, Macao and Uvero Alto.

Today the East Coast beach strip is one of the best choices for those seeking the perfect beach and R&R (rest and relaxation) vacation.  Bill and Hillary Clinton in April 2001 chose Punta Cana for their first sojourn after leaving the White House.  Punta Cana is that perfect place for a honeymoon - first or second.  This is a place for vegging out...... miles of silky-fine white sand, deserted beaches with coconut palms.  Unless you rent a car or purchase an excursion, don't expect much sightseeing or outstanding shopping opportunities nearby.

PUERTO PLATA

Puerto Plata is for those seeking an attractively-priced R&R active vacation with the option of lots of places to visit in the vicinity.  Puerto Plata's centrally located international airport is less than a 20 minute drive from most hotels.  Choose Puerto Plata if you like to explore.  Luperon, Malmon, Cofresi, Playa Dorada, Costa Dorada are the main tourism enclaves located near Puerto Plata city.  Sosua and Cabarete are about half an hour away.

Playa Dorada, 10 minutes to the east of Puerto Plata, concentrates the largest number of hotel rooms in the North.  This vacation compound includes 15 low rise resorts built in a "U" shape and sharing a common gold sand beach and the Playa Dorada Golf Course, an 18 hole course designed by Robert Trent Jones.  Meet guests from other hotels during evening outings at the casinos and night spots which are open to all guests.  During the day visit the shopping center, the Playa Dorada Plaza, with its stores and movie theater.  Walking is safe and easy during the day and night, either on the beach or the sidewalk that connects all hotels.  And because all the hotels are close together, this is a great choice for spring break travel.