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

Apartahotel Drake Bolívar, Santo Domingo

Apartahotel Drake Bolívar

Santo Domingo, Santo Domingo Province, Dominican Republic

    • Airplane (03/27 - 03/26/2026)
    • No transport provided
    Intercontinental Real Santo Domingo An, Santo Domingo

    Intercontinental Real Santo Domingo An

    Santo Domingo, Santo Domingo Province, Dominican Republic

    • Hotel with outdoor pool  
    • Airplane (02/27 - 02/26/2026)
    • 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 (03/14 - 03/13/2026)
      • No transport provided
      Santo Domingo, Santo Domingo

      Santo Domingo

      Santo Domingo, Santo Domingo Province, Dominican Republic

      • Hotel with outdoor pool  
      • Airplane (03/18 - 03/17/2026)
      • No transport provided
      Frances Mgallery Collection, Santo Domingo

      Frances Mgallery Collection

      Santo Domingo, Santo Domingo Province, Dominican Republic

        • Airplane (03/18 - 03/17/2026)
        • No transport provided
        Hotel San Marco, Santo Domingo

        Hotel San Marco

        Santo Domingo, Santo Domingo Province, Dominican Republic

        • Hotel with wi-fi Internet  
        • Airplane (03/15 - 03/14/2026)
        • No transport provided
        Plaza Florida Suites, Santo Domingo

        Plaza Florida Suites

        Santo Domingo, Santo Domingo Province, Dominican Republic

        • Hotel with wi-fi Internet  
        • Airplane (03/17 - 03/16/2026)
        • No transport provided
        Apart Hotel Plaza Colonial, Santo Domingo

        Apart Hotel Plaza Colonial

        Santo Domingo, Santo Domingo Province, Dominican Republic

          • Airplane (03/27 - 03/26/2026)
          • No transport provided
          Jw Marriott Hotel Santo Domingo, Santo Domingo

          Jw Marriott Hotel Santo Domingo

          Santo Domingo, Santo Domingo Province, Dominican Republic

          • Hotel with wi-fi Internet  
          • Airplane (03/31 - 03/30/2026)
          • No transport provided
          Casas Del Xvi, Santo Domingo

          Casas Del Xvi

          Santo Domingo, Santo Domingo Province, Dominican Republic

          • Hotel with wi-fi Internet  
          • Airplane (03/17 - 03/16/2026)
          • No transport provided
          Napolitano Hotel Casino, Santo Domingo

          Napolitano Hotel Casino  

          Santo Domingo, Santo Domingo Province, Dominican Republic

          • Hotel with wi-fi Internet  
          • Airplane (03/14 - 03/13/2026)
          • No transport provided
          Casa Conde Hotel Boutique, Santo Domingo

          Casa Conde Hotel Boutique

          Santo Domingo, Santo Domingo Province, Dominican Republic

            • Airplane (03/01 - 02/28/2026)
            • No transport provided
            Casa Del Sol, Santo Domingo

            Casa Del Sol

            Santo Domingo, Santo Domingo Province, Dominican Republic

              • Airplane (03/15 - 03/14/2026)
              • No transport provided
              Ozama Economical Apartments, Santo Domingo

              Ozama Economical Apartments

              Santo Domingo, Santo Domingo Province, Dominican Republic

                • Airplane (03/16 - 03/15/2026)
                • 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 (03/16 - 03/15/2026)
                • No transport provided
                Studio 12.3 303, Santo Domingo

                Studio 12.3 303

                Santo Domingo, Santo Domingo Province, Dominican Republic

                  • Airplane (03/13 - 03/12/2026)
                  • No transport provided
                  La Morada, Santo Domingo

                  La Morada

                  Santo Domingo, Santo Domingo Province, Dominican Republic

                    • Airplane (03/26 - 03/25/2026)
                    • No transport provided
                    Green House Aparta Hotel, Santo Domingo

                    Green House Aparta Hotel

                    Santo Domingo, Santo Domingo Province, Dominican Republic

                      • Airplane (03/30 - 03/29/2026)
                      • No transport provided
                      Lincoln Suite Apartments, Santo Domingo

                      Lincoln Suite Apartments

                      Santo Domingo, Santo Domingo Province, Dominican Republic

                      • Hotel with outdoor pool  
                      • Airplane (03/01 - 02/28/2026)
                      • No transport provided
                      Aparta Roma Ii, Santo Domingo

                      Aparta Roma Ii

                      Santo Domingo, Santo Domingo Province, Dominican Republic

                        • Airplane (03/18 - 03/17/2026)
                        • No transport provided
                        Mystik, Santo Domingo

                        Mystik

                        Santo Domingo, Santo Domingo Province, Dominican Republic

                          • Airplane (03/23 - 03/22/2026)
                          • No transport provided
                          Ocean Breeze, Santo Domingo

                          Ocean Breeze

                          Santo Domingo, Santo Domingo Province, Dominican Republic

                            • Airplane (03/31 - 03/30/2026)
                            • No transport provided
                            Antiguo Hotel Europa, Santo Domingo

                            Antiguo Hotel Europa

                            Santo Domingo, Santo Domingo Province, Dominican Republic

                              • Airplane (02/27 - 02/26/2026)
                              • No transport provided
                              Luca Hotel, Santo Domingo

                              Luca Hotel

                              Santo Domingo, Santo Domingo Province, Dominican Republic

                                • Airplane (04/16 - 04/15/2026)
                                • No transport provided
                                Hotel Dona Elvira, Santo Domingo

                                Hotel Dona Elvira

                                Santo Domingo, Santo Domingo Province, Dominican Republic

                                  • Airplane (04/16 - 04/15/2026)
                                  • No transport provided

                                  Map of hotels Santo Domingo

                                  Travel map Santo Domingo

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