Dominican Republic Guide
Santo Domingo
Santo Domingo isn't the tropical paradise most travellers come to the Caribbean in search of, but at the core of the rather bewildering sprawl the old Spanish colonial capital – the very first European city of the New World – lies magically intact along the western bank of the Río Ozama. This was the domain of Christopher Columbus: founded by his brother Bartolomé, ruled by him for a time and claimed a decade later by his son Diego.
Far more than just history makes Santo Domingo an integral part of any trip to the Dominican Republic; it is the modern face of the country, and has a nonstop liveliness not seen in many other places.
Most visitors make a beeline for the Zona Colonial, Santo Domingo's large, substantially intact colonial district, home to dozens of wonderful old buildings. Many never bother to venture outside of this expansive, historic neighbourhood, and while it deserves the most attention you should also make the effort to check out at least a few other diversions throughout the city, especially around the barrios of the Gazcue and Malecón
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