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Santiago de los Caballeros was the Dominican Republic’s first capital and named after the 30 Spanish aristocrats who followed Columbus and settled there in 1495. Today, the country’s second largest city—dubbed “Ciudad Corazón” or the city in the heart of the Cibao Valley—is a modern and cosmopolitan centre thriving in commerce, finance, education and services, and pulsating with culture.

Santiago is graced by the meandering Yaque del Norte River and is home to the popular Dominican baseball team, Las Aguilas Cibaeñas or “The Cibao Eagles”. The city still holds an alluring charm, famous for its horse-drawn carriage rides and historical landmarks, excellent food scene, beautiful parks, an innate passion for baseball and, of course, the prominent industries of coffee, rum and tobacco.

The city is also known for Santiago Carnival, the second most popular Carnival in the country. Santiago’s carnival characters are called the Lechones or “piglets” (with masks that resemble an elaborate and artistic pig’s face) and are unique to the region.

Towering over its sprawling urban streets, the Monumento a Los Héroes de la Restauración—affectionately called El Monumento—is the city’s chief landmark and social hub, where residents and visitors gather on its lawns. It also serves as a constant reminder of the men who regained the DR’s independence from Spain in 1865.

 

 

Home to universities, the area also brims with a dynamic population of millennials, amid professionals, all of whom enjoy the city’s vibrant entertainment and nightlife, boasting over 100 discos, bars and lounges within the downtown area. Given that Santiago is not located on the coast, the nearest beach is Playa Dorada in Puerto Plata (approx. 1.5 hours by car).

THINGS TO DO IN SANTO DOMINGO

A modern basketball facility hosts the tournaments (usually in the spring) that pit different sections of the city against each other in an all-out battle for the city championship. Regional and national championship games are played here during the summer. The local basketball team is called the “Metros”.

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A gathering spot for creatives and artists, Casa de Arte sits in the historic centre of downtown Santiago, in a renovated Victorian home. The gallery’s rotating display shows Dominican artists’ works, and the venue often hosts live music or theatre performances in the evening.
 

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A beautiful series of permanent exhibits showcase Dominican history and culture, dating back to the Taino era. You’ll also find a visual arts room, displaying the winning art pieces from the annual Eduardo León Jimenes Art Contest, as well as a cigar-focused exhibit recounting the heritage of DR’s cigar industry.
 
 
 
 

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Santiago is the cigar capital of the world, with the largest production of cigars made at many of the city’s factories. Every year in February, the ProCigar Festival is held with organized visits to cigar factories and tobacco field tours to companies such as General Cigar, Davidoff, Matasa, La Aurora, Corporación Cigar Export, Tabacalera La Alianza, La Flor Dominicana and the Fuente Foundation. Cigars can be sampled and purchased.

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The Cibao Stadium is the home of the Aguilas Cibaeñas baseball club and hosts professional baseball games from mid-October through the end of January. Taking in a baseball game at the stadium is a must – the entertainment on the field is matched by the irrepressibly jubilant mood of the team’s loyal and loud fans.

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Located directly across from the city’s landmark monument and surrounded by a lush garden, the Gran Teatro del Cibao boasts three levels with large marble and mahogany halls. Year round, the prestigious theatre hosts numerous national and international plays, dance performances, operas and concerts.

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Established in Santiago in 1996 and consistently ranked among the top 25 best in the world, with multiple award-winning cigars; you can tour this boutique company’s beautiful factory facility. Go from its rolling room to the leaf stripping, fermenting and aging rooms.
 
 
 
 
 
 

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Las Aromas is a city golf course with panoramic views of Santiago, the Cibao Valley and the Yaque del Norte River. It was designed by Pete Dye during the same period as his masterpiece the "Teeth of the Dog" in La Romana. With ascents and large inclines to challenge golfers, it has four par-3 holes, two par 5 holes, and 12 par 4 holes. Although it is a fairly short course, its narrow fairways, small greens and many traps along with the 135 slope rating make it one of the hardest in the country

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The city’s iconic white marble tower is circled on all sides by a multi-level garden and boasting panoramic views over the city. You can tour its interior, named after the heroes of the Restoration War who died in the fight to regain the DR’s independence from Spain.
 
 
 
 

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Located in a renovated 19th century neoclassical house, in the heart of the city across the south side of Parque Duarte, the Palacio Consistorial once served as the city’s town hall. Today it’s a contemporary museum, showcasing the history of Santiago through late 19th and early 20th century photographs, including a carnival culture-focused room. Head to the second floor for balcony views over downtown Santiago.

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The city of Santiago is known for its electric nightlife. You’ll find rows of bars and lounges all around the city’s iconic Monumento a los Héroes downtown, where crowds flock for fun after work hours and weekends. The city also counts a number of shopping malls with bars and nightclubs, running late into the night. Casino lovers will find their fix at downtown hotels, while live music is often on offer— merengue originated in this central Cibao region—at one of the city’s clubs.
 
 
 
 
 

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The affluent head for the gourmet restaurants in the Los Jardines Metropolitanos area for international cuisine. But in that area, La Comai stands out for its very Dominican food. A visit to Santiago is not complete without stopping by one of the “lechoneras”, the traditional spit-roasted pork eateries. Everyone in Santiago seems to have their favorite - some of the popular options are Milito, Chito and Embrujo. Taste the grills at El Corte Selecto and La Parrillita, across from International Mall on Juan Pablo Duarte. Punto Criollo on Av. Ramón Dubert is popular for breakfasts and lunches. El Tablón Latino on Calle del Sol serves Latin American favorites.

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RESTAURANTS IN SANTIAGO
RESTAURANTS IN SANTIAGO

IL PASTICCIO
Calle El Llano, Santiago De Los Caballeros, 51000, Dominican Republic

Il Pasticcio Restaurant in Santiago is one of the best Italian restaurants in the Dominican Republic. Run by Paola Modolo who offers cuisine that combines flavours from his native culture with Dominican ingredients.

VISIT WEBSITE

CAMP DAVID RANCH
Carretera Gregorio Luperón, Santiago De Los Caballeros, 51000, Dominican Republic

Camp David is easily the most romantic spot around. Perched atop a mountain outside of town, the restaurant offers exceptional food and views.

VISIT WEBSITE

RESTAURANTS IN SANTIAGO
RESTAURANTS IN SANTIAGO

EL CARRITO DE MARCHENA
Av Salvador Estrella Sadhalá, Santiago De Los Caballeros, 51000, Dominican Republic

Enjoy the flavours of the Dominican Republic at El Carrito de Marchena. Authentic bites and a wide variety are found here; there is truly something for everyone. This family-run restaurant has great food and affordable prices with indoor and outdoor seating and open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

VISIT FACEBOOK'S PAGE

EL TABLON LATINO
Calle Del Sol 12, Santiago De Los Caballeros, 51000, Dominican Republic

El Tablon Latino Kitchen is a family favourite in the heart of Santiago De Los Caballeros. Offering sharing plates and tapas style dining and serving some favourite Dominican dishes made with the freshest ingredients.

VISIT WEBSITE

RESTAURANTS IN SANTIAGO
EVENTS COMING UP IN SAMANA

Every Sunday in the month of February, the carnival parades are held along the avenue Las Carreras towards the Monument with colorful floats and troupes moving to the rhythm of merengue. For the parade, locals wear Diablos Cojuelos masks (Limping Devils) and disguises with mirrors and rattles. These costumes are works of art. In Santiago, the local artisans carry out a mask contest that becomes a healthy competition that ends with the creation of a masterpiece. You can enjoy the characters Los Lechones, Karamanche y Nicolás Den Den, among others.

EVENTS COMING UP IN SAMANA

1st Dominican Film Exhibition in Canada 2019

OTTAWA: Unam-Canada, 55 Prom. du Portage, Gatineau, QC

May 28-30, 2019
6:00 pm

MONTREAL: Cinéma Impérial, 1430 Rue de Bleury, Montreal, QC

May 31, 2019
7:00 pm & 9:00 pm

 

For the first time, the Dominican Republic is hosting a film showcase in Canada to exhibit popular Dominican movies. Visitors will be able to immerse themselves in Spanish-language films from all genres including documentaries such as “Hay Un País En El Mundo”, comedies such as “Juanita” and dramas such as “Colours”. The film showcase runs at Unam-Canada in Gatineau from May 28-30 at 6:00 pm and Cinéma Impérial in Montreal on May 31, 2019 at 7:00 pm and 9:00 pm. Free admission for all presentations.

 

Dominican Film Exhibition in Canada 2019
EVENTS COMING UP IN SANTIAGO

SANTIAGO CRUZ TOUR ELEMENTAL SANTIAGO

Venue: Gran Teatro del Cibao
Santiago

May 24, 2019

 

Colombian singer-songwriter, artist and composer Santiago Cruz surprises his fans with a new international tour called "Tour Elemental" in his second season. "Elementals" is the new project of Santiago Cruz in which he presents the songs that he considers elementary throughout his career. It is presented on May 24 at 8:30 p.m. at the Gran Teatro Cibao in Santiago.

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EXPO TURISMO SANTIAGO

Venue: Hodelpa Grand Almirante Convention Center
Santiago

May 31 - June 2, 2019

 

Expo Turismo Santiago will be held at the Convention Center of the Hodelpa Gran Almirante Hotel in Santiago from May 31 to June 2, 2019. This travel fair involves airlines, cruise lines, tour operators and hotels that offer attractive rates and tour packages, providing the public the opportunity to take advantage of the specials.

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EVENTS COMING UP IN OTHER REGIONS

OBSERVACIONES ASTRONÓMICAS

Venue: Santo Domingo

June 7, 2019
7:30 pm - 10:00 pm

 

Join us in this monthly event, organized by the Dominican Astronomical Society, where we will explore the most fascinating phenomena of the celestial vault using professional telescopes. With the help of the right instruments and the guidance of experts trained in the observation of the skies, we will awaken that hidden astronomer inside of you. For visibility reasons, please confirm the event is on, by calling 809-689-0106 ext. 221 the day of the event.

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GASTRONOMIC, THE ART OF EATING – GASTRONOMIC POPUP

Venue: Santo Domingo

October 1 - 3, 2019

 

Spanish cuisine is one of the most important in the world, valued and known internationally for its quality and incomparable products. On October 1, 2 and 3, Santo Domingo dresses up to enjoy the flavours of Spain, along with the # 1 chef in the world, Joan Roca, Executive Chef of El Celler de Can Roca restaurant of Girona, that has been awarded 3 Michelin stars. Joan Roca has become a symbol of molecular cuisine, as well as one of the best chefs in the world.

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Welcome to the Dominican Republic Newsletter

If you are receiving this newsletter it is because you have requested additional information about the Dominican Republic, and we are so pleased to share our news with you. This newsletter will provide information about the hottest festivals, newest attractions, and most exciting things to do in our beautiful country. Whether you are a repeat guest or a new visitor looking to make the most of your vacation, we will give you insider tips that you won’t find anywhere else.

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Office de Promotion Touristique de la République dominicaine
2055, rue Peel, Bureau 550, Montréal, Québec H3A 1V4

514-499-1918 | www.godominicanrepublic.com

Dominican Republic Tourism Board
67 Yonge Street, Toronto ON, M5E-1J8, Canada

416-361-2126 / 27 | www.godominicanrepublic.com

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