Santo Domingo Cruises
There is a continuous increase in the number of cruise ships visiting Santo Domingo and the South coast of the Dominican Republic. Santo Domingo, the most bustling and diverse city in the Caribbean, is the capital of the Dominican Republic and the oldest city in the Western Hemisphere on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Wander down the cobblestone streets to check out the many examples of 15th and 16th century architecture in the Colonial Zone. These include: the Cathedral that was the first church built in the Americas, the Ozama Fort, and the Italian Renaissance style palace Alcazar de Colon, which were all built during the lifetime of Christopher Columbus.
Most visitors take the time to visit the Faro a Colón, the very impressive monument and burial site of Christopher Columbus. Shoppers will be sure to visit the modern Plaza Central, Calle El Conde one of the oldest streets in the city, and the Agora Mall, one of the most exclusive shopping centres with several fast-food restaurants. Then there’s the middle stretch of El Malecon, the levee where visitors can relax, interact with the locals and absorb the spectacular ocean views. A ‘must-see’ is Los Tres Ojos caves with its numerous beautiful lakes.
The open air National Aquarium with shaded grounds that overlook the ocean is great for families, as is the National Zoo. A hidden treasure with the most remarkable collection of Dominican art from the 19th and 20th century is the Museo Bellapart, one of many fine museums. There are also parks and recreational areas to be visited, such as the Parque Colon and its monuments in the Colonial city, as well as the National Botanical Gardens and the National Zoo.
(Courtesy of Clean Cruising)
Oh, and here are some GREAT IDEAS for what to pack when visiting Santo Domingo!
