Also known as Heart City (La Ciudad Corazon), Santiago de los Caballeros is
nestled in the Al Cibao Valley. The city’s history can be traced back to
the 15th century when it was founded by Christopher Columbus’s
brother, Batholomew. It’s the second biggest city in the country and is an
industrial hub with plenty of rum, tobacco, and coffee enterprises. Calle
del Sol in downtown is the main shopping district lined with bars, hotels,
shops and restaurants. Parque Duarte symbolizes the laidback style of
Santiago and is a lovely place to feel the vibe of the city. The city has a
flurry of monuments and museums. Highlights include - Historic San Luis
Fort Museum, San Luis Fortress, House of Arts, Columbus Park, and the
Tobacco Museum.
Things to do in Santiago de los Caballeros
Monument to the Heroes of the Restoration
Situated at the entrance to the city, the 70-meter marble Monument to the
Heroes of the Restoration was erected on the orders of then dictator of
Dominican Republic, Rafael Trujilo. He named it "Trujillo's Monument to
Peace". However, post his assassination, it was renamed to honor the
individuals who participated in the Independence Restoration War of 1863
and freed the country from Spain. It was designed by Henry Gazon Bonn and
located on a hill in the eastern part of the city. The monument houses
crystal lamps of Roca, and murals dedicated to Spanish artist Vela Zanetti.
Gran Teatro del Cibao
Inspired by Santo Domingo’s National Theater, the Gran Teatro del Cibao was
designed by Dominican Teofilio Carbonell. The white marble building is
situated across the Monument to the Heroes of the Restoration. The theatre
opened its doors in 1995 and is a major cultural venue in the country . The large marble and mahogany halls host a wide variety
of shows of performing arts including international plays, operas, concerts
and dance performances. Sala de la Restauracion, the main room, is the
city’s largest indoor venue with a capacity of 1,600 people.
Thomas Morel Folk Art Museum
Locally known as Museo Folklorico Don Tomas Morel, Thomas Morel Folk Art
Museum is dedicated to artefacts related to Folklore. The
collection includes articles from everyday life as well from the colonial
era to the 1960s. The highlight is the diverse collection of huge masks
from the Carnival. There are a variety of personal objects and curios for
visitors to admire.
Best Time to Visit Santiago de los Caballeros
The best time to book
Santiago de los Caballeros flights
is between late November & early May. During this time, the weather is
pleasant and not much rainfall is expected. Book
Newark to Santiago flights
in advance to avoid paying more at the last minute.