About Santo Domingo - presentation, information, photos and recommendations

Santo Domingo, officially known as Santo Domingo de Guzman, is the capital and largest city in the Dominican Republic. Its metropolitan population was 2,084,852 inhabitants in 2003 and estimated at 2,253,437 in 2006. The city is located on the Caribbean Sea at the mouth of the river Ozama. Founded by Bartholomew Columbus in 1496, is the oldest inhabited European settlement in the Americas, and was the first Spanish colony in the New World. It lies on the border with the National District (DN, "National District), is bordered on three sides by the Province of Santo Domingo.

Santo Domingo was named "Ciudad Trujillo" after the country's dictator between 1930-1961. Today, Santo Domingo Dominican Republic is a major metropolis and is the largest city in the Caribbean.

Before the arrival of Christopher Columbus in 1492, Taino people inhabited the island and called Quisqueya (mother of all land) and Ayiti (land of high mountains), which he called Hispaniola Columbus. This includes the now occupied by the Republic of Haiti. At that time, the island consists of five chiefdoms: Marien, Maguire, Maguana, Jaragua and Higuey. They were led respectively by caciques (bosses) Guacanagarix, Guarionex, Caonabo, and Cayacoa Bohechio.

Dating from 1496, when the Spaniards settled here and formally on 05 August 1498, Santo Domingo is the oldest European city in America. Bartholomew Columbus founded the settlement and called it La Nueva Isabela, after Queen Elizabeth I. It was Spain later renamed "Santo Domingo", in honor of St. Dominic. Santo Domingo has become known as the "Gate of the Caribbean".

Year 1992 marked the 500th year anniversary, El Quinto Centenario, the discovery of America by Christopher Columbus. Columbus Lighthouse - Faro a Colon - at a cost of approximately 400 million Dominican pesos, was erected in Santo Domingo on this occasion.

Ozama River flows 148 km before flowing into the Caribbean Sea. Santo Domingo city position was of great importance to its economic development and growth of trade during the colonial era. Metropolis Santo Domingo is divided into four municipalities, especially for administrative reasons. They consist of the National District of Santo Domingo de Guzmán and three municipal divisions in the province of Santo Domingo: Santo Domingo Norte (Villa Mella City District, etc.), Santo Domingo Este (San Isidro Municipal District, etc.) and Santo Domingo Oeste.

According to Koppen climate classification, Santo Domingo has a tropical monsoon climate. The average temperature varies little in town, as winds of tropical heat and humidity help to diminish throughout the year. December and January are the cooler months, July and August are the warmest.

The city is the economic center in the Dominican Republic. Many national and international companies have their headquarters or regional offices in Santo Domingo. The city attracts many international companies and franchises due to its geographical location, stability and vibrant economy.

Tourist attractions in Santo Domingo include: Calle El Conde, the Puerta de Misericordia, the Cathedral of Santa Maria La Menor (Catedral Primada of America) and the Alcázar de Colón, all are located in the city's Colonial Zone district. This part has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1990.


Santo Domingo | Santo Domingo, officially known as Santo Domingo de Guzman, is the capital and largest city in the Dominican Republic. Its metropolitan population was 2,084,852 inhabitants in 2003 and estimated at 2,253,437 in 2006

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Top hotels in Santo Domingo

Hotel San Marco, Santo Domingo

Hotel San Marco

Santo Domingo, Santo Domingo Province, Dominican Republic

  • Hotel with wi-fi Internet  
  • Airplane (09/05 - 09/04/2026)
  • No transport provided
Plaza Florida Suites, Santo Domingo

Plaza Florida Suites

Santo Domingo, Santo Domingo Province, Dominican Republic

  • Hotel with wi-fi Internet  
  • Airplane (09/07 - 09/06/2026)
  • No transport provided
Hotel Maison Gautreaux, Santo Domingo

Hotel Maison Gautreaux

Santo Domingo, Santo Domingo Province, Dominican Republic

  • Hotel with wi-fi Internet  
  • Airplane (10/02 - 10/01/2026)
  • No transport provided
Apartamento S1401 - Downtown Santo Domingo, Santo Domingo

Apartamento S1401 - Downtown Santo Domingo

Santo Domingo, Santo Domingo Province, Dominican Republic

    • Airplane (08/20 - 08/19/2026)
    • No transport provided
    Apartment At Regatta Living - 207 Breakfast Included, Santo Domingo

    Apartment At Regatta Living - 207 Breakfast Included

    Santo Domingo, Santo Domingo Province, Dominican Republic

      • Airplane (08/21 - 08/20/2026)
      • No transport provided
      Intercontinental Real Santo Domingo An Ihg Hotel, Santo Domingo

      Intercontinental Real Santo Domingo An Ihg Hotel

      Santo Domingo, Santo Domingo Province, Dominican Republic

        • Airplane (09/13 - 09/12/2026)
        • No transport provided
        Quality Hotel Real Aeropuerto Santo Domingo, Santo Domingo

        Quality Hotel Real Aeropuerto Santo Domingo

        Santo Domingo, Santo Domingo Province, Dominican Republic

        • Hotel with outdoor pool  
        • Airplane (10/03 - 10/02/2026)
        • No transport provided
        Hotel Plaza Naco, Santo Domingo

        Hotel Plaza Naco

        Santo Domingo, Santo Domingo Province, Dominican Republic

        • Full Board  
        • Airplane (09/04 - 09/03/2026)
        • No transport provided
        Gran Hotel Europa, Santo Domingo

        Gran Hotel Europa

        Santo Domingo, Santo Domingo Province, Dominican Republic

        • Hotel with wi-fi Internet  
        • Airplane (09/07 - 09/06/2026)
        • No transport provided
        Hotel Conde De Penalba, Santo Domingo

        Hotel Conde De Penalba

        Santo Domingo, Santo Domingo Province, Dominican Republic

        • Hotel with wi-fi Internet  
        • Airplane (09/18 - 09/17/2026)
        • No transport provided
        Hotel Aladino, Santo Domingo

        Hotel Aladino

        Santo Domingo, Santo Domingo Province, Dominican Republic

        • Hotel with wi-fi Internet  
        • Airplane (10/03 - 10/02/2026)
        • No transport provided
        Apart Hotel Plaza Colonial, Santo Domingo

        Apart Hotel Plaza Colonial

        Santo Domingo, Santo Domingo Province, Dominican Republic

          • Airplane (09/18 - 09/17/2026)
          • No transport provided
          Casas Del Xvi, Santo Domingo

          Casas Del Xvi

          Santo Domingo, Santo Domingo Province, Dominican Republic

          • Hotel with wi-fi Internet  
          • Airplane (09/07 - 09/06/2026)
          • No transport provided
          Napolitano Hotel Casino, Santo Domingo

          Napolitano Hotel Casino  

          Santo Domingo, Santo Domingo Province, Dominican Republic

          • Hotel near beach  
          • Airplane (09/05 - 09/04/2026)
          • No transport provided
          Rig Puerto Malecon, Santo Domingo

          Rig Puerto Malecon

          Santo Domingo, Santo Domingo Province, Dominican Republic

          • Hotel with indoor pool  
          • Airplane (09/20 - 09/19/2026)
          • No transport provided
          Hotel Luis V Santo Domingo, Santo Domingo

          Hotel Luis V Santo Domingo

          Santo Domingo, Santo Domingo Province, Dominican Republic

          • Hotel with outdoor pool  
          • Airplane (09/20 - 09/19/2026)
          • No transport provided
          Casa Del Sol, Santo Domingo

          Casa Del Sol

          Santo Domingo, Santo Domingo Province, Dominican Republic

            • Airplane (09/06 - 09/05/2026)
            • No transport provided
            Ozama Economical Apartments, Santo Domingo

            Ozama Economical Apartments

            Santo Domingo, Santo Domingo Province, Dominican Republic

              • Airplane (09/06 - 09/05/2026)
              • No transport provided
              Aarony Hotel Santo Domingo Ex. Cirok House Hotel, Santo Domingo

              Aarony Hotel Santo Domingo Ex. Cirok House Hotel

              Santo Domingo, Santo Domingo Province, Dominican Republic

              • Hotel with wi-fi Internet  
              • Airplane (09/06 - 09/05/2026)
              • No transport provided
              B M Setup Hotels, Santo Domingo

              B M Setup Hotels

              Santo Domingo, Santo Domingo Province, Dominican Republic

              • Hotel with wi-fi Internet  
              • Airplane (09/04 - 09/03/2026)
              • No transport provided
              Micro Hotel Condo Suites, Santo Domingo

              Micro Hotel Condo Suites

              Santo Domingo, Santo Domingo Province, Dominican Republic

              • Hotel with wi-fi Internet  
              • Airplane (10/02 - 10/01/2026)
              • No transport provided
              Lincoln Suite Apartments, Santo Domingo

              Lincoln Suite Apartments

              Santo Domingo, Santo Domingo Province, Dominican Republic

              • Hotel with outdoor pool  
              • Airplane (09/02 - 09/01/2026)
              • No transport provided
              Aparta Roma Ii, Santo Domingo

              Aparta Roma Ii

              Santo Domingo, Santo Domingo Province, Dominican Republic

                • Airplane (09/09 - 09/08/2026)
                • No transport provided
                Ocean Breeze, Santo Domingo

                Ocean Breeze

                Santo Domingo, Santo Domingo Province, Dominican Republic

                  • Airplane (09/20 - 09/19/2026)
                  • No transport provided
                  Rig Casa Conde, Santo Domingo

                  Rig Casa Conde

                  Santo Domingo, Santo Domingo Province, Dominican Republic

                    • Airplane (09/18 - 09/17/2026)
                    • No transport provided

                    Map of hotels Santo Domingo

                    Travel map Santo Domingo

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