Tourist Attractions & Monuments Dominican Republic

For a long time installed in a splendid colonial house of calle Beller, the museum of amber has just changed address and concept. If its previous version was more like a natural history museum, it is now a question of making the visitor live the experience of a miner. It is therefore the reconstruction of a tunnel (vaguely convincing) that welcomes us and leads to a jewelry cutting workshop. If you want to visit real mines, it is possible, at 1h30 from Puerto Plata (on request).

A square and imposing building, composed of a wall framing a central round and crenellated tower. Its strategic position allowed it to effectively defend the entrance to the port against pirate attacks. It is the only building in Puerto Plata dating from the 16th century. The fortress was used as a court of justice and then as a military prison on several occasions, notably from 1930 to 1961, under the Trujillo dictatorship. Inside there is a small military museum; you can see the cell of Juan Pablo Duarte, father of the country, who was detained there in August 1844.

On the edge of the central park, its white towers and the simplicity of its architecture give this cathedral a small provincial air. Dating from 1956, it replaced the original wooden church (16th century) destroyed by fire in 1863, intentionally set by the "Restorers". The construction of the present cathedral began in 1929 under the aegis of the architect Tancredo Aybar Castellanos. The religious building, flanked by two towers, is of Art Deco inspiration.

In Boca Chica, there are many small and unreliable travel agencies. This branch of Colonial Tour and Travel, based in the capital (founded in 1993), offers all the services of a travel agency. City tours, air and hotel reservations, domestic flights, excursions, no bad surprises, reliability and seriousness. You will be able to elaborate tours of several days through the country as well as to book simple cultural or sports excursions for a day or a half-day.

The National Theatre was inaugurated in 1973 by President Joaquín Balaguer. In front of the imposing marble and mahogany building, the statues of the three great writers of the golden age of Spanish literature (Lope de Vega, Tirso de Molina and Calderón de la Barca) stand guard. In the entrance hall, the great Dominican baritone Eduardo Brito and Ludwig van Beethoven greet the audience. The main auditorium can hold 1,589 people.

This large park lies on the fringe of a residential area and the university zone. The complex includes the capital's main museums: the Museum of Dominican Man, the Museum of Modern Art, the Museum of Natural History, the Museum of History and Geography, as well as the National Theatre and the Cinematheque (www.cinemateca.gob.do, screenings Tuesday to Friday at 7.30pm and weekends at 5pm and 7.30pm). As you can see, culture has pride of place here, a boon for travellers wishing to learn more about the country.

The chapel, dating from 1562, was part of the hospital of the same name - the country's first charitable hospital, and the second built in the colonial zone. It is said that it was here that the town's inhabitants planned the revolt against the Haitian occupation in 1844. Inside is the town's most beautiful altarpiece. Baroque in style, carved from mahogany, it depicts the Christ of San Andres, to whom miraculous powers are attributed. It is a precious testimony to the cultural heritage not only of the country, but also of the Caribbean.

The church of Nuestra Señora del Carmen is one of the smallest in the colonial zone. The chapel was built in the eighteenth century (from 1729). Its atrium, called the Plazoleta de la Trinitaria, served as a meeting place for the Dominican patriots who put an end to the Haitian domination. In front of the church, at number 255, a marble plaque has been placed on the façade of the house where the Trinitaria, the secret society that led to the country's independence, was founded.

It was one of the accesses to the city by land, built in 1543 in the style of a medieval fortified gate. In this place, Francisco del Rosario Sanchez, Ramon Matias Mella, and a group of patriots began the struggle for independence from Haiti on February 27, 1844. On the west side of the gate, the remains of the two small bastions that completed it are still visible. It owes its name to a small chapel built nearby in 1842, where the inhabitants went to implore for mercy.

At the end of Avenida del Conde, this Altar of the Homeland is located in one of the oldest squares in the capital. The remains of the three Fathers of the Homeland (Juan Pablo Duarte, Francisco del Rosario Sánchez and Matías Ramón Mella) rest here in a huge white marble mausoleum whose main door is marked with the national coat of arms. Inside, three impressive statues, some ten metres high, represent the national heroes. They are the work of the Italian sculptor Arrighini. A monument to visit.

Dating from the 17th century, originally called the bastion of San Genaro, the Puerta del Conde is part of the fortified wall that surrounded the city. It is one of the greatest symbols of the city. The gate is named after the Count of Peñalba, governor of the island, who defended the city against the English in 1655. Its two solid square towers are connected by a stone arch. It was the site of the first acts of independence of the Republic. Today the Puerta del Conde is one of the main entrances to the Independence Park.

Located at the very end of Calle Mercedes, this most important strategic place was a link in the great chain of garrisons and military forts built for defensive purposes in the course of the 17th century by the Italian military engineer J. B. Ruggero. The Fort of Conception is located on the edge of the colonial zone, next to the Independence Park. It is made entirely of stone and was used as a tramway station in the 19th century. A monument that you will not miss to discover during your visit to Santo Domingo.

Built in 1991, this aquarium gives a good idea of the local underwater fauna. The turtles and sharks evolve in basins connected by open-air walkways. Unfortunately, the explanations are not translated. Avoid the weekend, crowded with families. The cafeteria is located in a beautiful garden overlooking the sea. Near the Aquarium, on the other side of the road, there is an aquatic centre with slides, wave pool and water games. You can rent large inflatable buoys to propel yourself down the waterfalls.

A breath of greenery that stretches over 7 km in length. The first ecological park of Santo Domingo, one of the largest green spaces of the city. The Dominicans practice jogging and cycling there at the end of the day, and lovers stroll there in the evening. Embellished with sculptures, fountains, an artificial lake, bars and cafeterias, the park is a restful stop that you will never stop visiting. From the Mirador del Sur avenue, you have a beautiful panoramic view of the western part of the city. So take a deep breath and breathe out without delay.

The park covers an area of 10 km², and it's worth noting the obvious care taken to recreate the animals' natural habitat. No cages, no fences. However, due to a lack of resources, the zoo is becoming increasingly impoverished and does not make for an unforgettable visit. If you're an avid birdwatcher, don't miss the large aviary, where you can admire all kinds of rare birds with their variegated plumage. This can be an interesting place to visit if you're bringing the whole family and want to introduce your children to some of the fauna.

The Botanical Garden being next to the zoo, the visit of the two parks can be done simultaneously. This garden, dedicated to Dr. Rafael Moscoso Puello, famous Dominican botanist and founder of the Botanical Institute, is the most extensive in the Caribbean. You can visit it by train, by carriage or on foot. You will find many species of tropical flora, some of which are preserved today. Don't miss the Japanese garden, the orchid garden and the bromeliad pavilion. A cafeteria is welcome after the visit.

The long, three-storey National Palace is built in pure neoclassical style. As if it weren't imposing enough, it has been topped by an 18 m radius dome. Built from 1944 on Trujillo's orders and inaugurated in 1947, the National Palace is the seat of executive power: it houses the government offices, but not the president's official residence. The neoclassical style of the palace was designed by Italian architect Guido D'Alessandro. The presidential chapel is in the same style.

This foundation, the result of collaboration between scientists and companies, develops programs for the benefit of national archaeology. The exhibition, housed in the Pepsi-Cola company premises, features a very rich collection covering the Paleo-Indian, Meso-Indian and Taino periods. Among the many domestic and ceremonial objects on display are amulets, body ornaments, ceramics and objects used in the cohoba rite.

The museum was born of a private initiative, and offers a rich collection of paintings and sculptures by national artists of the ^19th and ^20th centuries. The exhibition highlights the different pictorial currents that marked this period. Three painters in particular stand out: Jaime Colson, Yordi Morel and Dario Suro. An interesting visit, although the museum is somewhat out of the way and only worth a detour for art enthusiasts. Mind you, access isn't easy either: you have to pass through the huge Honda store - surprising!

The church of San Pedro Apóstol (dedicated to St. Peter the Apostle) is a beautiful building in the English Gothic style, whose yellow and white walls contrast nicely with the blue sky. It was first built in 1915 and rebuilt in 1930 after a cyclone. The stained glass windows are beautifully worked, and its confessionals are, as is the tradition, made of wood. The bell tower, visible from all over the city, serves as a landmark.

This horse farm, with some 120 animals, is located on the banks of the Cumayasa River, right next to its mouth. Horseback riding through the Dominican countryside, along the yuca and vegetable plantations, or along the Cumayasa River is available. A full day program with discovery of Catalina Island, lunch and horseback riding, allows to take advantage of the different resources of the place. We start in the morning with a departure from the pier in a green and bushy setting. The motorboats go down the river to its mouth and reach Catalina Island after a half-hour crossing. After a swim and dive in the turquoise waters, relax on the white sandy beach and return to the ranch for lunch under the large palm roof of the restaurant on the river's edge. To discover, the house mamajuana. A few pedal boats are available to visitors to paddle the deep green waters of the river. We continue with a horseback ride that lasts about 1 hour 30 minutes (book your ride by phone one day in advance). The day ends around 5 pm. The ranch also offers eleven traditional bungalows with a rustic decor and a very good comfort.

Finally, don't forget to visit the Casita Magica de Urakan, the little magic house of the god Hurricane, which is the pride of the owner. Here all the laws of balance are defied, we won't tell you more... but you should know that the effects are, to say the least... amazing!

The region of San Pedro de Macorís has been visited for many years by anthropologists in search of vestiges of pre-Columbian history. The museum, created primarily for the students of the Universidad Central del Este (Central University of the East), has been exhibiting since 1983 three distinct collections showing the results of this research. It will be of interest to lovers of Taino civilization, but others will be able to forget this visit without regret.

From the first rays of sunshine, the seaside promenade is frequented by a considerable number of Dominicans who come to walk, run or cycle. In the afternoon, friends and families usually gather to enjoy a quiet moment while waiting for the beautiful sunset. Once night falls, the city dwellers come to take a break and stroll around, enjoying the sound of the waves. You can buy food and drink in the many chimichurris, street stands, to the sound of the last merengues.

This two-storey building was built in 1554 by the Duke of Rivera, whose shield surmounts the door of the main entrance. The house owes its name to a strange character who lived in it and permanently masked his face. The legends say that he was the twin brother of a Spanish king or a disfigured leper. It is also said that prisoners from Mexico were locked up here and never showed their faces so as not to be recognized. Today the building is used for cultural events and art exhibitions.

Like all colonial buildings, the Casa de la Moneda (because it was located opposite the place where coins were minted) was built in the 16th century, in 1540. It is a fine example of the civil architecture of that period. Its plateresque portal with five medallions is superb. It is also known as the Casa de los Cinco Medallones. Since 1972 this house has housed the Numismatic Museum, which is not of great interest. It has been renovated several times, keeping its original style.

Only the ruins of the church built in the 16th century, destroyed by a cyclone in 1591 and then rebuilt, remain. Famous for having been built on the stone quarries which were used for the construction of the monuments of the colonial time, the church of Santa Barbara saw the baptism of Juan Pablo Duarte, hero of the Independence war. The facade is of Spanish colonial style with a baroque tendency. Inside we can see some beautiful baroque altarpieces. From the garden, one can enjoy a beautiful panoramic view of the colonial city.

It is in this modest house that Juan Pablo Duarte was born, on January 26, 1813, a hero of the war of independence. Born into a wealthy family of Spanish merchants, he developed a patriotic spirit at a very young age. He joined the Haitian National Guard and participated in the Reformation and the new Haitian government that resulted. Persecuted by the Haitian authorities, he embarked for Venezuela, from where he continued the fight for independence.

Erected in 1503 by order of Don Francisco de Garay, it is the first house built in stone in Santo Domingo. Francisco de Garay was a fellow traveller on the first voyage of Christopher Columbus and was the first notary of the island before becoming governor of Jamaica. The house owes its name to the cord of the Franciscan order, carved on the façade, an ornament frequently used in 16th century Spanish architecture. The building is now a cultural centre sponsored by the Dominican Popular Bank.

It is a long and imposing row of white buildings, all adjoining. This row of buildings was built at the beginning of the 16th century to house the customs and arsenal administration^_e this row of buildings was built at the beginning of the 16th century to house the administration of the customs and arsenal. This complex is a real architectural curiosity, and there is no similar one in America. Restored in 1972, the Atarazana now houses art galleries, bars, restaurants and shops. It is a must-see for anyone visiting Santo Domingo, and you should be no exception...

Built at the beginning of the sixteenth century, this two-storey building was the home of the writer Francisco del Tostado, a companion of Nicolás de Ovando, who died under the cannonballs fired by Francis Drake's troops. Built of stone, the Casa de Tostado has a remarkable geminated Gothic window on its north façade. Later, it housed the archbishop's palace. Today, it has been transformed into the Dominican Family Museum, and bears witness to the domestic customs and lifestyles of the island in the 19th century.

Built in 1530 in honour of the Virgin Mary, this church is particularly sober. It houses a Masonic lodge and an institution of the Catholic Church, a unique cohabitation in the world. Today it is the headquarters of the Academy of Dominican History. Outside, you will observe a hundred-year-old tree in the church square and a fountain. The complex is still standing and has survived human and weather attacks through the centuries.

It is the most famous building on the street. It is said that the six zoomorphic gargoyles that adorn its façade are typical of the Middle Ages! They were used as much to drain rainwater as to protect the building from harmful influences. They would have originally belonged to the cathedral. This building was the seat of the university of Santiago de La Paz. The national anthem was first performed here on August 17, 1883. The house communicates with the neighboring houses through interior corridors. A very interesting building to discover.

It is one of the oldest buildings in the city, built by order of Nicolás de Ovando (who ordered a total of fifteen). The Casa de los Jesuitas is a simple building with a colonial appearance typical of the period and a Moorish interior. The University of El Gorjo was transferred there under the supervision of the Jesuits until their expulsion in 1767. It was then inhabited by a few local families before becoming the property of the State. The adjoining church, now a national pantheon for some of the heroes of the resistance, was built from 1714 and finished in 1755.

Here again, only a few ruins remain of the first monastery in the New World, built in 1512 by the monks of the Order of St Francis. The old well of San Francisco and a reservoir where water was stored for the inhabitants of the town still exist. The site of the tomb of Alonso de Ojeda, one of the most intrepid captains of the conquistadors, is still visible under the ruined vault. Cultural events and concerts on Sunday nights.

Built in the 16th century, in 1564, the church belongs to the monastery of the Dominican nuns who lived in the country until the beginning of the 19th century. It is known as the first monastic church in the country. The façade of this solid construction is in the Plateresque style with Baroque elements. Inside, the choir is topped with wooden beams. The first two poetesses of the New World, Sor Leonor de Ovando and Elvira de Mendoza, lived here.

The Parque Duarte is decorated in its center with a bust of Juan Pablo Duarte, a hero of the War of Independence. In this very place, famous hangings took place, among them the one of the cacica Anacaona, queen of Jaragua, accused by Nicolás de Ovando of being the cause of an insurrection. This execution was followed in 1586 by the hanging of a number of clerics during the sacking of the city by Francis Drake. The square was also the scene of bullfights and popular religious festivals. It is also frequented by the LGBTQI+ community.

The church and convent were built around 1510 by the missionaries of the Santo Domingo order. In 1538, the convent became the original seat of the first university in the New World. It was named St. Thomas Aquinas, and today it is known as the Autonomous University of Santo Domingo. It was also here that the famous sermon of Brother Antonio de Montesino ("I am the voice that cries out in the desert") was delivered, calling for more humane treatment of the natives.

Built in 1522, initially dedicated to Santa Ana, the convent was the first to house nuns, Poor Clares, in Santo Domingo and in the New World, before they left for Havana in 1796. The church houses the tomb of Don Rodrigo Pimentel, patron of the convent. A practical man, he used the convent to house his mistresses, according to legend. Today, in the desecrated building, there is a school. An architectural complex to visit.

Built between 1540 and 1555, it is the only decorated gate in the city. It opened the access to the port. This is where goods and travellers entered the walled city. The gate is also called Puerta de la Mar. At the back stands the Fort of San Diego, whose two-level structure protruded into the waters of the Ozama River and which has undergone several destructions and reconstructions. The Calle de las Damas, which overlooks the San Diego gate, offers a beautiful view of the river and the Alcázar.

It was here that the very first religious services in the capital were held, before the cathedral was built. It was later used as a private chapel by the Davilas, a prominent family in the Spanish colony. The single-bay brick chapel, topped by a three-arched bell tower, dates from the early 16th century and was restored in the 19th century. In the chapel lies the body of Don Juan Alejandro Acosta, a hero of the resistance against Haiti.

The three houses that make up the palace were built by Nicolás de Ovando, founder of the city, during the first decade of the sixteenth century, when the governor general lived in Santo Domingo. The long and low façade is faithful to the austere gothic style of the time. The houses were attached to the Davila house at number 57 of the street when they were restored, and transformed into a tourist hotel in 1974 by the Dominican government.

Easily identifiable thanks to its blue, white and red flag which flies on its facade, this house shelters today the French embassy. Renovated in 1917, the house hosted the National Bank of Santo Domingo. In 1932, the land registry moved in and, from 1950 to 1978, it was the General Directorate of Taxes. In 1978, it was loaned to France by the Dominican government for a period of 50 years. The Gothic influence is perceptible.

The building now houses the Trampolino Museum for children. You can take a curious look at the interior garden. Archbishop Rodrigo de Bastidas, founder of the city of Coro, the first capital of Venezuela, and of Santa Marta in Colombia, took up residence here in the 16th century. His son, who bore the same name, was archbishop of San Juan de Puerto Rico. The house, next to the Ozama fortress, which has a beautiful garden shaded by large trees and surrounded by a deep gallery, was once a military hospital.

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.

The Malecón is called Enriquillo Avenue here. As with all seashores, it is a place for lovers to take a slow stroll at sunset, while inevitably enjoying the many fried foods and drinks available at the small stalls. Work has been done to renovate the eastern part of the Malecón. Further south, still on Avenida Enriquillo, wealthy families watch over their beautiful houses facing the sea. The beach of Barahona gives on a lagoon not very convenient for the bathe, the water being stagnant there.

Like everywhere else in the Dominican Republic, the central park is the beating heart of the town. A green lung, it is planted with palm trees and framed by pretty and picturesque Victorian-style wooden houses in pastel colours. Perfectly kept, the park has a kiosk(la glorieta), a meeting place for the inhabitants, and many benches to take a pleasant break under the trees. The old post office with its wooden counters is worth a visit, but you'll be lucky if you find any stamps!

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.