 Casa
del Cordon (Cord House) at the corner of Calles Emiliano Tejera and Isabel la
Catolica, 221-5930. Built in 1503 by Francisco de Garay, this is the oldest house in the
western hemisphere. Here, in 1586, Sir Francis Drake collected the jewelry of Santo
Domingo's noble ladies as ransom for their city.
Catedral de Santa Maria la Menor, located on the south side of Columbus Square,
689-1920. This is the oldest cathedral in America dating back to 1514. Built in a Spanish
Renaissance style, the cathedral is decorated with ancient wood carvings and furnishings
and silver and jewelry of the Treasury are displayed.
El Faro a Colon (Columbus Lighthouse) on the water side of Los Tres Ojos, 591-1492.
This multi-million dollar cultural complex was opened in 1992 in honor of Columbus'
quincentenary. The structure, built in the shape of a pyramid cross, allegedly contains
the tomb of Columbus. The lighthouse towers 688 feet and projects a beam of light 44 miles
into the sky.
Museo de las Casas Reales (Museum of the Royal Houses), located on Calle las Damas,
682-4202. Housing replicas of Columbus' ships and sunken treasures from 1724, this museum
traces the history of Santo Domingo.
Jardin Botanico, on the Avenida de los Proceres, 567-6211. The largest Latin
American botanical gardens, covering 445 acres, can be toured on a horse-drawn carriage or
train.
Museo de Arte Moderno, at the Plaza de la Cultura, 685-2153. Featuring national and
international art, this museum is located on the site of the Trujilla mansion.
Alcazar de Colon (Columbus Palace) at the foot of Calle Las Damas. This 1510 castle
was built for Diego Colon, Columbus' son, who was the colony's governor.
HISTORIC TOURS
Sightseeing bus tours:
- Prieto Tours - Santo Domingo, 809/688-5715
- Metro Tours - Santo Domingo, 809/566-7126; Santiago, 809/583-9111; Puerto
- Plata, 809/586-6063
- Omni Tours - Santo Domingo, 809/565-6591
- Puerto Plata Tours - 809/586-8165
- Apolo Tours - Puerto Plata, 809/586-2751
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THINGS TO DO
Golf
Casa de Campo - two challenging 18-hole courses designed by Pete Dye.
Santo Domingo Country Club: 18-hole course; major hotel guests are welcome.
Tennis
Casa de Campo - 13 clay courts, pro, pro shop and daily clinics.
Boating
Actividades Acuaticas - Boca Chica 809/523-4511 or Puerto Plata at
809/320-2567
Club Nautico de Santo Domingo 809/566-4522
Club Mediterranean 809/686-5508
Punta Cana Beach Resort - Punta Cana 809/541-2714
Casa de Campo - La Romana 809/523-3333
Snorkeling and Scuba Diving
Actividades Acuaticas - Boca Chica 809/523-4511 or Puerto Plata at
809/320-2567
Treasure Divers - 809/523-5320
Northern Coast Aquasports - Sosua 809/571-1028
Tropical Diving Center - Samana 809/240-6110
Sport Fishing
Club Nautico de Santo Domingo
Haina - Santo Domingo 809/537-3961
Caribbean Marine - Puerto Plata 809/320-2249
Actividades Acuaticas - Boca Chica 809/523-4511 or Puerto Plata at 809/320-2567
Parasailing
Actividades Acuaticas - Boca Chica 809/523-4511 or Puerto Plata at
809/320-2567
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