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South - Juan Dolio Travel Guide: Reviews, photos, & videos
Its how old? 500+ years. Yep, that’s right, Santo Domingo is really old. In fact it’s the oldest city in all of the New World dating back to 1492. And similar to wine, Santo Domingo only seems to grow finer with age - its unique history and rich culture setting it apart from other typical Caribbean destinations. Located at the mouth of the Ozama River, Santo Domingo is the capital and largest city in the Dominican Republic with over 3 million people. Walk along the Ozama River and enjoy the cobblestone streets and fortresses of the famed Colonial City. Stop by one of the many smoke shops for some of the finest cigars the world over. Then check out the other side of the Ozama for the impressive Columbus Lighthouse, which apparently contains the remains of the famous explorer. And only five minutes away is Los Tres Ojos– a stunning cave that runs 50 feet deep and holds three lagoons flanked on all sides by dripping stalagmites and lush vegetation.
Don’t miss the magnificent Presidential Palace. With a white dome structure flanked by marble columns and a beautifully landscaped terrace, this three-story Italian Renaissance building looks a good bit like the U.S. Congressional Building – and is the working offices of the Dominican president and his staff (not his residence). Known as the “gateway into the Caribbean,” Santo Domingo was used by Christopher Columbus as a launching point to explore the rest of the Caribbean. Today it’s considered to be a gateway into big business. Considered to be the epicenter of the Dominican economy, Santo Domingo is home to a thriving business center with several multi-million dollar corporations taking advantage of this town’s geographic location and stability. Santo Domingo might be old, but it can still take care of business.
