Santo Domingo is the capital and largest city in the Dominican Republic. The oldest city in the New World, Santo Domingo is both an exotic tourist destination and an important business and finance center.

The city is a unique blend of the historic and the contemporary. The Santo Domingo Colonial Zone, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is surrounded by newer neighborhoods that feature cultural centers, business districts and glitzy upscale shopping malls.

*Read more: Santo Domingo.

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Population: 3.7 million (est. 2010)

Why you should travel here: Santo Domingo, known by Dominicans as ‘La Capital’, is to Dominicans what New York is to Americans, a vibrant city with a unique mix of cultures and neighborhoods.

Interesting Fact: Santo Domingo is the older permanent residence of the New World. Founded in 1496, Santo Domingo boasts an incredible collection of museums, historic sites, art and music. The Colonial City, located inside Santo Domingo, houses the first street, hospital, university and cathedral in the Americas. It is believed that Christopher Columbus’s remains still reside here, but it is uncertain.

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My Experience 

• Liked: I am a history buff, so learning more about the Colonial city and seeing architectural remains dating over 500 years ago was really educational and … well, awesome.
• Not so much: Locals can tell you are a tourist – whether you travel in a group or not. They will approach you and try to sell you everything and anything. They will insist a few times even if you say no. I don’t have a problem with people trying to make some money, but it can get tiring when you get people chasing you all the time.

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Travel tip:  Safety is not a big issue, especially in the tourist areas, but be a smart traveler and keep your valuables out of sight. We were warned by some ladies to hide our gold necklaces – they said it wouldn’t be uncommon if someone tried to snatch them away.

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What to see:

1. Faro a Colon (Columbus Lighthouse)

2. Zona Colonial

3. Catedral primada de Americas

4. Park of 3 Eyes of Water

5. Alcazar de Colon

6. Pantheon Nacional