Santo Domingo is the oldest city in the New World and the capital of Dominican Republic. Christopher’s brother, Bartholomeo Columbus, founded the city of New Isabella (later renamed Santo Domingo) on the southeastern Caribbean coast in 1496.

The city today still reflects its long history - French, Haitian, and especially Spanish.

Getting Around

Shuttle flights, rental cars, taxis and public transportation are recommended.

Where to Stay

A. Very Expensive

Inter-Continental Hotel Quinto Centenario

B. Expensive

Hotel Santo Domingo

Renaissance Jaragua Hotel & Casino

C. Moderate

Gran Hotel Lina

Mella’ Santo Domingo & Casino

D. Inexpensive

Hotel Palacio

Where to Dine

A. Expensive

La Briciola

Lina Restaurant

Pappalapasta

Reina de Espana

Vesuvio 1

B. Moderate/Inexpensive

Coco’s

La Bahia

Meson de la Cava

Spaghettissimo

Beaches

Boca Chica

Juan Dolio

On the southeast coast of the Dominican Republic, La Romana was once a sleepy sugarcane town that specialized in cattle raising. Visitors didn’t come near the place, but when Gulf & Western Industries opened a luxurious tropical paradise resort, the Casa de Campo, La Romana soon began drawing the jet set. Just east of Casa de Campo is Altos de Chavon, a re-creation of a 15th-century village built specially for artists.

Getting Around

Renting a car from the international airport is recommended. Beware of speed traps - low-paid police officers openly solicit bribes whether you’re speeding or not.

Where to Stay

Casa de Campo

Where to Dine

El Patio

Lago Grill

Tropicana Steakhouse

Beaches

Bayahibe

La Minitas

 In 1976, a plateau 100 miles east of Santo Domingo was selected by Charles G. Bluhdorn, then chairman of Gulf & Western Industries, as the site for a remarkable project. Dominican stonecutters, woodworkers, and ironworkers began the task that would create Altos de Chavon, today a flourishing art center set above the canyon of the Rio Chavon and the Caribbean Sea.

A walk down one of the cobblestone paths of this combination living museum and artisans’ colony reveals at every turn architecture reminiscent of another era. Coral block and terra-cotta brick buildings house artists’ studios, craft workshops, galleries, stores, and restaurants. Mosaics of black river pebbles, sun-bleached coral, and red sandstone spread out to the plazas. The ornate stone Church of St. Stanislaus is centered on the main plaza, with its fountain of the four lions, colonnade of oblelisks, and panoramic views.

Where to Dine

Cafe del Sol

Casa del Rio

El Sombrero

La Plazzetta

Known for its white-sand beaches and clear waters, Punta Cana is an escapist’s retreat. It is the site of several major vacation developments, including Club Med, with more scheduled to arrive in the near future.

Towards the southern coast is Saona Island, where some 1,000 people live on 80 square miles of land, surviving primarily by fishing and hunting for pigeons and wild hogs. Saona has the lowest mortality rate in the Dominican Republic.

 
Getting Around

There are two to four daily flights to Punta Cana afterwhich you can rent a car.

Where to Stay & Dine

Barcelo Bavaro Beach Golf & Casino Resort

Club Mediterranee Punta Cana

Mella Bavaro

Puerto Plata ("port of silver") is 130 miles northwest of Santo Domingo. The port became the last stop for ships going back to Europe, their holds laden with treasures taken from the New World. It appeals to a mass market crowd that shuns those pricey, pampering hotels in favor of the less expensive, all-inclusive resorts that keep popping up here; hotels are booked solid almost year around.

It rains a lot in Puerto Plata during the winter, whereas the southern region and Punta Cana are drier.

Getting Around

The cheapest way of getting around is on a motoconcho, or motorcycle. Other means are by minivan, taxi or organized tour.

Where to Stay

Caribbean Village Club on the Green

Grand Ventana

Occidental Playa Dorada Hotel & Casino

Paradise Beach Resort & Casino

Villas Doradas Beach Resort

Where to Dine

Acuarela

Another World/Otro Mundo

Hemingway’s Cafe

Porto Fino

Roma II

Beaches

Playa dorada

Luperon Beach