How to keep yourself busy during your free time in Santo Domingo? Find in this article all you need to know about leisure in the Dominican capital city.
Santo Domingo is, above all, a cultural and historical city. Being the Dominican Republic's capital city, it is the country's main destination in terms of expatriation. In fact, the city provides various leisure activities for locals as well as for foreigners thanks to its rich cultural, historical, and natural heritage. Hence, you will definitely not get bored during your free time if you are moving there.
Culture and history in Santo Domingo
Santo Domingo was designated as the capital city of Latin American culture in 2010. In fact, the city has so much to offer to people of all ages, from cinema halls to theaters and painting exhibitions, etc. You can start by visiting the Museo Faro a Colón, which is located at Av. Mirador del Este, Santo Domingo Este 11604, Dominican Republic (phone: 1 809-591-4844). You should definitely not skip the visit to the tomb of Christopher Columbus, where you will relive colonization and evangelization of America, Europe, Asia, and Africa.
The Museo de las Casas Reales, located at Calle Las Damas esq, Mercedes, in the colonial part of the city, is another delight (phone: 1 809-682-4202). It will allow you to go back to the colonial era and discover customs and traditions observed back then. The Museo Bellapart, located at John F. Kennedy Street, Edificio Honda 5to, Nivel (phone: 809 541-7721 ext. 296), hosts a permanent collection of Dominican arts, just like the Sala de Arte Pre-Hispanic, which is some 5,000 years old and highlights pre-Columbian arts. The museum is found at San Martin Street # 279 (tel. 809 331-8888 ext. 272-273).
The Museo del Hombre Dominicano, for its part, pays a huge tribute to the Dominican culture [phone number (809) 687-3622], especially the Taino culture, through a collection of prehistoric objects. At the Museo de Arte Moderno (phone: 1 809-685-2153), you will discover the most outstanding Dominican artworks through individual and group exhibitions, bi-annual exhibitions, conferences and seminars, etc. Children are warmly invited to participate in activities, while adults can attend workshops or art courses. You can have more information at Pedro Henríquez Ureña, Plaza de la Cultura, Santo Domingo (tel. 809 685-2153).
The Museo Trampolín at Calle Las Damas, in the Casa Rodrigo de Bastidas region, is ideal for 4- to 12-year-old children. You can have more information on this interactive museum by dialing the following phone number: 809 685-5551. Finally, the Choco Museo is a real delight for chocolate lovers. You can even make an advance booking by dialing +1 809 221 8222, especially if you wish to make your own chocolate from cocoa.
Nature in the Dominican Republic
Amidst urbanization, Santo Domingo holds a whole lot of nature. In fact, you can enjoy a walk in the Jardin Botanico Nacional and the Parque Mirador del Sur, which is the capital city's first ecological park. The El Parque Natural Los Tres Ojos, with its three lakes (one with a water temperature of –15°C, another whose water is sulfurous, and a third with shallow and pleasant temperature), are worthwhile visits.
Finally, being on an island, you can visit the Parque Nacional Submarino La Caleta, where you can even practice scuba diving. In fact, it has been classified by experts as one of the Caribbean's top five diving sites.
Sports in the Dominican Republic
Some 730,000 m², that is 104,4 km² of Santo Domingo's lands, are dedicated to sports and green spaces. You can easily find someplace to swim, play basketball or volleyball, or do other solo or team sports. You can also visit the Museo del Deporte Dominicano and the Salón de la Fama del Deporte Nacional.
Surprisingly, motorsports are also quite popular in the Dominican Republic. The Autódromo Mobil 1 Las Américas holds many events all year long, including an annual championship that brings together the region's best riders.
Finally, the Sebelen Bowling Center at Plaza Bolera is ideal for friendly or family outings and even birthday parties. It also hosts a restaurant café, as well as a videogame space for youngsters.
Cuisine in the Dominican Republic
If you are staying in Santo Domingo, you will obviously want to discover the local cuisine. You can inquire about the best local restaurants with your friends or colleagues on the spot.
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