Airport Details
Airport Full Name
Las Americas
IATA Code
SDQ
Location:
The airport is situated 18 miles (29km) east of Santo
Domingo.
Airport Facilities
Airport facilities include a duty-free shop, post office, a bank with 24-hour exchange facilities, restaurants and bars. Wireless Internet access is also available.
Transfers
Taxis are available outside the terminal.
Contact
Tel: +1 809 542 0160.
Climate Details (C)
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D | |
| Min | 20 | 20 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 22 | 21 | 20 |
| Max | 29 | 29 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 31 | 31 | 32 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 30 |
Travel Guides: Santo Domingo
General Information
If any city in the world could be declared the perfect holiday destination, then Santo Domingo would probably be a prime candidate, with its modern sophistication, old world charm and Latin charisma, not to mention its position on the tropical southern Caribbean coast of the Dominican Republic. The only blight on the landscape is the crime rate: robbery, muggings and petty theft are common, so guard your belongings with care.
Santo Domingo is used to being first: it was the first European settlement in the New World; it boasts the western hemisphere's first cathedral, first monastery, first hospital, first university and first law court. This rich colonial heritage, sparked off in the 15th Century by legendary Spanish explorer Christopher Columbus, has been turned into a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the heart of the city. Known as the 'Colonial City' it is now a delightful area of cobblestone streets and 16th-century buildings, interspersed with cafes, bars, small hotels and restaurants.
Visitors don't need to stray from the Colonial City to enjoy a great time in the city, but it is advisable not to ignore the modern part of Santo Domingo. The superb shopping, delicious dining, dazzling casinos, seductive parks and vibrant nightlife all beckon enticingly, from the monumental Columbus Lighthouse right down to the depths of the Guácara Taina nightclub, with its multi-level dance floors housed inside a real cave. And an opportunity to visit to the Estadio Quisqueya, to watch a game of the Dominican Republic's adored national sport, baseball, shouldn't be passed up on by any visitor to the city between the months of October and February.
Getting Around
There are several ways to get around in Santo Domingo. The city is serviced by large buses, as well as minibuses, which are cheaper than taxis but can be very crowded. Taxis are plentiful and radio-taxis usually respond quickly, with helpful and accommodating drivers who are used to dealing with tourists. Fares must be negotiated before leaving. Another option is a publico, or multi-passenger taxi; fares depend on length of trip. Santo Domingo is relatively easy to negotiate, though roads can be in poor condition, and car rental agencies are available. These usually require a valid drivers licence and credit card, with a minimum age of 21.
Activities
National Aquarium, Santo Domingo
About a mile east of the Columbus Lighthouse monument, is sited one of the better aquariums in the Caribbean. The aquarium contains a variety of marine life, from angelfish to sharks, but its star resident is 'Tamaury', a manatee rescued as a baby off the coast of Barahona. The aquarium is equipped with a clear glass sea-tunnel that makes viewing the enclosed sea life an awesome experience.
Opening Times:
Open Tuesday to Sunday, from 9.30am to
5.30pm
Admission:
RD$40 (adults)
Columbus Lighthouse Monument, Santo Domingo
This mammoth structure was built on the eastern shore of the Ozama River in the early 1990s, to commemorate both Santo Domingo's status as the oldest European city in the Americas, and the 500th anniversary of Columbus' arrival in the New World. The building is 693ft (211m) long, and built in the shape of a cross at a 45-degree angle. It houses what the Dominican Republic claims are the remains of Columbus himself, and is fitted with intense lights which project the image of the cross into the sky at night. The monument was designed by English architect J.L. Gleave, who won an international competition for the design after 455 plans were submitted by architects from 48 different countries. The building is also the repository for numerous documents and artefacts associated with the early Spanish colonial times.
Opening Times:
Open Tuesday to Sunday, from 9am to
5.30pm
Admission:
RD$20 (adults), RD$5 (children under 11)
Colonial City, Santo Domingo
The historic enclave of Santo Domingo, known as the Colonial City, covers only one square mile (3 sq km), but inside the walls are dozens of historical buildings and sites, including palaces, forts, museums, and churches; parks, plazas, statues and monuments. A walking tour of these fascinating buildings takes at least three hours through cobbled streets, where once walked Christopher Columbus, Fernando Cortez and Francis Drake. The main street, Calle Das Lamas, is the oldest street in the New World. Must-sees include the House of Cord, the oldest European building in the Americas, and where Diego Columbus, son of Christopher, once lived; and the Alcazar Palace, now a museum, built in 1514.
Cathedral of Santa Maria, Santo Domingo
Inside the Colonial City stands the oldest cathedral in the western hemisphere, built in 1523 and still used to this day. Its mix of late-Gothic and Renaissance elements provide a beautiful example of Spanish Renaissance architecture, with its golden coral facade and Gothic interior. Its walls have seen a great deal of history, including the coming of Sir Francis Drake who captured Santo Domingo in 1586 and held the town for ransom. He made the cathedral his headquarters.
Boca Chica, Santo Domingo
A popular escape from city life is provided by the small seaside town of Boca Chica, a 25-minute drive east of Santo Domingo on the Avenida de las Americas. The resort was developed by a wealthy industrialist around one of the best swimming beaches on the coast, and boasts crystal-clear, calm waters, a yacht club and a marina, a golf course and some excellent seafood restaurants.
Los Tres Ojos National Park, Santo Domingo
The 'Three Eyes' park, on the east bank of the Ozama River, is a surreal experience for visitors. The park is actually a series of huge natural caves on different levels, containing fresh water lagoons. One is a sulphuric lake rumoured to be bottomless, which is contained in a volcanic crater. The caves are festooned with stalactites and stalagmites. The pre-Columbian Taino Indians used the site for religious ceremonies.
Opening Times:
Open daily, from 8am to 5pm
Admission:
RD$50
Plaza de la Cultura, Santo Domingo
The vast green square in the heart of Santo Domingo serves as the city's cultural and artistic showcase, being fronted by a cluster of four museums, as well as the National Theatre. The museums are the Museum of Modern Art, the Museum of History and Geography, the Museum of Natural History and the Museum of Dominican Man. The National Theatre runs a full programme of opera, ballet, music and drama productions.
Events
Merengue Festival
The Merengue Festival in Santo Domingo celebrates one of the Dominican Republic's first loves, with ten days of non-stop music, shows, concerts, parades, fairs and parties in the streets. You'll also find food, art exhibitions, games, and other activities that draw thousands of revellers every year. While the event is centred at El Malecon on the waterfront, there are bands and DJs all over the city, all creating the sultry sounds of the country's national dance.
Date:
July 2011 TBA
Venue:
El Malecon
