Founded in 1498 by Bartholomew Columbus (Christopher Columbus´ brother), Santo Domingo, the Dominican Republic's capital, has the distinction of being the oldest colonial city in the Americas. In the present days, this city, located on the southern coast of the island, bordering the Caribbean Sea, has a population that surpasses 3 million people (about 37 percent of the total population of the country) and a land area of approximately 230 square kilometers. The Río Ozama traverses Santo Domingo from north to south, dividing it into two major areas: the eastern and the western; the eastern portion being the most prosperous and modern of the two.

Colonial Zone

The city is divided in more than 600 sectors denominated ensanches, sectores or zonas. Among these divisions is Santo Domingo´s famous historic district, which is known by many names, including the Colonial Zone, Zona Colonial, Ciudad Colonial and Colonial City. This historic center, declared World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1994, boasts many fine architectural sites from the age of exploration and colonialism, including many of the first colonial monuments of the New World such as the first Catholic Cathedral. It also includes the first street in the New World, Calle Las Damas, and the the oldest commercial street of Santo Domingo, as well as a multitude of restaurants, shops, bars, and museums. The Colonial Zone is limited to the west by the Río Ozama , extends up to the Parque Independencia, at its eastern limit, and ends at El Malecón, at its southern extreme.

El Malecón

Also known as George Washington avenue, El Malecón is considered to be “the largest discotheque in the world”, and it is there where the famous Dominican Carnival is celebrated during the month of February. As well as the carnival, a yearly festival dedicated to the local typical music, the merengue, takes place here during the last days of July. Like a magnet, this palm-lined waterfront area attracts visitors who want to see and be seen. First-class hotels, such as El Jaragua and V Centenario; a budget hotel, El Napolitano; world-class eateries, such as the famous Restaurant Vesuvio; some casinos, for those who want to tempt lady luck; clubs and outdoor cafes line this charming street.

Gazcue

At a walking distance from el Malecón and the Colonial Zone lies the District of Gazcue, formerly an exclusive residential neighborhood, today is a blend of residential and commercial area where houses of unique architecture, mainly from the 1940s and 1950s, are preserved. Many of these residences have become businesses nowadays. This pleasant cultural area, highly populated by trees, is where the majority of the modern museums concentrate, such as the located ones at Plaza de la Cultura, a complex which includes the Museo de Arte Moderno, the Museo de Historia Natural , Museo de Historia y Geografía and the Museo del Hombre Dominicano. The Plaza de la Cultura also includes the National Theater, where national and international plays, ballets and other theatrical presentations, are regularly shown. This district also hosts various fine dining options, several of which are located in antique renovated houses that preserve the charm of the golden era of this privileged area. The Mediterranean cuisine restaurant Reina de España, and El Conuco, offering Dominican food, are some of the restaurants located in Gazcue.

Zona Universitaria

Adjacent to the Gazcue area, to the west, traversing the Avenida Máximo Gómez, is the Zona Universitaria district. Here, the first university of the Americas and the biggest of Santo Domingo, the Universidad Autónoma de Santo Domingo (UASD) can be found.

Naco

Up north, taking the Tiradentes street, and crossing the Avenida 27 de Febrero, the sector of Naco (limited by Avenida 27 de Febrero to the south, Avenica Kenney to the north, Avenida Ortega y Gasset to the east and Avenida Lope de Vega to the west) can be reached. Once an exclusive residential sector, today, Naco is one of the major commercial areas of the city. It hosts the first shopping center of the city, Plaza Naco. Likewise, hotels (such as Hotel Plaza ), banks, supermarkets, diverse dining options (such as the prestigious Restaurante Vesuvio II), as well as commercial establishments of all types abound in this area.

Piantini

Along with Naco, the nearby district of Piantini belongs to the group of the most exclusive zones in the city. Located between the Avenida Lope de Vega and Avenida Winston Churchill, this sector hosts the most modern shopping centers, as well as diverse entertainment options to suit all tastes. Plaza Central and Unicentro Plaza, two modern shopping centers, are located in this area.

Bella Vista

Going down the Avenida Winston Churchill, departing from Piantini, the privileged Bella Vista area, delimited by the Avenida 27 de Febrero to the north and the Avenida Anacaona to the south, can be reached. One of the most extensive green areas in the city, frequented by nature and sports lovers daily, the Mirador Sur Park, is located here. The El Embajador Hotel, a preferred destination by business travelers and the Dominican Fiesta Hotel are in this first-class sector, where impressive houses (including Sammy Sosa´s mansion) and luxurious towers, border the Avenida Anacaona and proliferate in the surroundings.