Things to see and do Central

The vocation of the centre, which is one of the most modern in the Caribbean, is to raise awareness of Dominican art and culture. In addition to the temporary exhibitions, three permanent exhibitions allow you to immerse yourself in the Dominican soul. One should also not forget the gardens and the reproduction of the authentic Jimenez cigar factory...

The tours are very didactic and fun, and all the modern techniques facilitate the approaches. "Signs of Identity" proposes an anthropology exhibition more or less equivalent to that of the Dominican Museum of Man in Santo Domingo, with the presence of testimonies of all the cultures that have forged the Dominican culture; one will see in particular a large collection of objects of the Taíno culture, beautiful pieces recovered from the Spanish galleons that ran aground in Dominican waters, an approach to African origins, religious syncretism and daily life in the 19th century. "Genesis and Trajectory" (second level) is an exhibition of contemporary plastic arts: some of the great masters of Dominican painting are present, including Jaime Colson. The Jiménez family is honored in the exhibition "Footprint and Memory" (second level of the building replica of La Aurora) which traces the path of this real tobacco dynasty from 1903 to 2003 through documents and photos, from the purchase of the first land to the internationalization of its products.

Originally from Yamasá, these five brothers and sisters have made a specialty of reproducing Taino sculptures and ceramics. They set up a workshop that today employs around 30 people. They process the clay, then hand-model and sculpt replicas of Taino statuettes and objects, before firing and patinating them. Their ceramics are reproductions of original ritual objects and cemis , the idols of the Taino people. The figurines come in a wide range of colors and are ideal for interior decoration.

The cold and warm waters of the Yaque del Norte and Jimenoa rivers come together to form a large lake in the turbulent remous. The show is fascinating of power and spray. On Saturday evening, Dominicans come to the streets and let the national bachata pass away. The place then becomes a small improvised dance trail. On Sundays, the atmosphere is much more family with a possibility of horse riding.

A place of pilgrimage for gourmets... You are indeed entering the lands of true cocoa culture enthusiasts, and this since 1944. Today, they produce one of the best chocolates on the island and many professionals, such as the Frenchman Michel Cluizel for example, get their supplies directly from them. You will discover the origins of a quality chocolate in a playful and educational way, from the sowing of the cocoa trees to the finished product. Count on about 2h30 for this interesting visit.

The beating heart of the city, it is the meeting place of the Santiagueros, the departure point of cabs and horse-drawn carriages, the place of work of the small shoeshine boys and the lottery ticket sellers. One can spend hours resting in the shade of the large trees while observing the hustle and bustle of the area. In the center, the traditional Victorian shaded gazebo and all around nice wooden houses. An emblematic park that will be a must-see, just like the central park and Calle Benito Monción.

One of Christopher Columbus' first companions on his voyages to the New World was called Don Diego Bermúdez, who is said to have brought sugar cane, the basic ingredient in rum processing. Centuries later, the house still bears his name, and produces one of the three biggest brands of rum in the country. It is possible to visit the distillery and, of course, to leave with the many products in the shop. Interesting.

The heart of the city, both peaceful and central. The square has undergone profound renovations between 2015 and 2017, on plans by architect Daniel Pons, offering the city a new space, modern and pleasant to live.

The last house of the Mirabal family houses the museum in memory of the three mythical heroines of the country, martyrs of the Trujillo dictatorship. The three sisters were murdered with their driver on the road between Puerto Plata and Tenares, while returning from a visit to their husbands imprisoned for dissidence in Puerto Plata. Many books and films tell their story. The museum presents the house as it was furnished at the end of the 1960s, with the rooms of each of the sisters, their wardrobe, everyday objects..

The church, the national sanctuary of Nuestra Señora de Las Mercedes, dates from the last century and is the object of numerous pilgrimages. It was at the foot of the Santo Cerro hill that the decisive battle for the conquest of the island took place. At the height of this battle, the outcome of which was uncertain, Nuestra Señora de Las Mercedes appeared, thus giving victory to the Spaniards against the troops of Guarionex. You can see the place where the Virgin appeared and where Christopher Columbus planted the cross given to him by the Queen when he left Palos.

The modern grey concrete building with its rounded forms looks more like a clumsy Lego assembly than a church. The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception (or La Vega, as the locals call it) stands out in the city's traditional setting. Its heaviness and its dull appearance make it an incongruous object. Nevertheless, here is a monument that will not go unnoticed and that you will observe during your passage in La Vega. It was built between 1977 and 1992.

Built in the 19th century (from 1868 to 1895) in a mixture of gothic and neoclassic styles, the Santiago Apostol El Mayor cathedral has a mahogany altar as well as very beautiful stained glass windows made by the Dominican artist Rincón Mora. And as the Dominicans are not afraid of contradiction, the tomb of the tyrant Ulises Heureaux happens to be next to those of many heroes of the Restoration War! One of the most imposing buildings in the country.

The Palacio Consistorial was built in the 19th century to house the town hall. It is located near the Parque Nacional, a place where the local population lives and passes through. The Palace is today the cultural center of the city with a museum (free) which recalls the history of Santiago through photographs dating from the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th century. Unfortunately it is not very well furnished, nevertheless you will observe an exhibition on the costumes of the famous carnival. From the floor, beautiful sight on a part of the city.

Symbol of the city of Santiago, planted in the center of a flowery esplanade, on a hill at the periphery of the city center, it was erected in the 1940s as a monument to the Peace of Trujillo. It is a 67 m high white marble structure topped by a column. The interior has four levels that house a series of small museums without real interest. From its top (which can be reached on foot or by elevator), one discovers a superb view of Santiago and the Cibao valley.

This waterfall has the advantage of being accessible by means of an airstrip with a small walk of ten minutes. Very impressive, El Salto de Baiguate presents itself in the form of a liquid avalanche of metres high, framed by an amphitheatre of greenery where fruit trees and plants with medicinal virtues are legion. The natural swimming pool is superb. You can also go to horse in two hours, motorbike or 4 x 4. The Salto is now operating for the irrigation of nearby farms.

This waterfall is located away from Jarabacoa, in the middle of nature. After having parked your car, you have to follow a torrent by a steep path for about a hundred meters in a heat that quickly becomes overwhelming despite the altitude. At first, you can hear a dull, heavy rumble in the surrounding heat, then the waterfall reveals itself in all its splendid violence. The waterfall crashes in a large natural basin, in the middle of a majestic site unfortunately disfigured by the hydroelectric power station and the tourist installations.

We visit a nursery for baby plants that will be transplanted to the mountains at altitudes of between 1,200 m and 1,700 m, as soon as they have acquired sufficient resistance to do without the care of gardeners, then silos for the natural drying of hand-harvested seeds, and finally the factory itself. Today, production is highly mechanized. Various machines are involved in the process, including an oven to finish drying the seeds, and a machine to hull them.

The painter chose to live in a country house just outside the city. A specialist in monumental frescoes, often of religious inspiration, Roberto Flores executes many official commissions. He will show you his work and amateurs will be able to buy reduced size sketches. An interesting visit in the presence of a passionate and talented artist. For beautiful souvenirs to bring back if you fall in love.

Charming and shaded, it is the place to meet at all Jarabacoa on the weekend and in the evening.

The painter Candido Bido, faithful to his origins, created the Fundación Bonao para la Cultura, which runs an art school. The school is easily identifiable by the large fresco that decorates one of its walls. Students from all over the country learn painting, dance, music and sculpture. Works of the master, silkscreens, posters, paintings and books can be purchased here. Next to the school, a small gallery sells paintings made by the students. You can bring back beautiful cultural souvenirs to offer or for yourself.

Ecoturismo Constanza offers a wide range of excursions. The dynamic and attentive team will take you to Pico Duarte, Valle del Tertero, Valle Nuevo National Park and many others. Some trips last from 2 to 4 hours, others up to 8 hours, and the longest ones two days, one night. Transportation is of course provided, and for some of them, meals and accommodation. Visit the website of this ecotourism travel agency to discover the many offers and book the adventure of your choice.