Take in the rich history and culture of Santo Domingo. Go back in time to walk along the same steps as Ponce de Leon or Christopher Columbus himself. Visit museums and sightsee the exquisite architecture or take a stroll to the first cathedral in the New World. Spend your nights taking in the gambling or partying it up in one of Santo Domingo's fabulous nightclubs. Santo Domingo offers the action-packed getaway you were looking for.

Weather and Geography

Located right in the heart of the Caribbean, the Dominican Republic typically has a tropical climate, however due to the vast size of the area and some rugged terrain there are regional temperature variations. The northern coast experiences a rainy season from October to May and the southern coast gets the rain from May to October.

Quick Facts

• The first cathedral of the New World, Santa Maria la Menor, is located here.


• Colonial artifacts from 1492 to 1821 are housed in the Museo de las Casas Reales as are replicas of the Niña, the Pinta, and the Santa Maria.

Expert Travel Tips

• Take time out of your vacation to visit Alcázar, a palace built for Columbus's son, Diego.


• Get in a trip to El Faro a Colon - Columbus's Lighthouse. This structure has a chapel that contains Columbus's tomb and when the lighthouse lights up at night it projects a cross in the sky that can be seen from Puerto Rico.


• Pick up a rocking chair just like President John F. Kennedy's favorite that was given to him by the Dominican Republic. You can purchase it boxed and ready for assembly so it's easy to ship home.