TRAVEL
SAnTiAgo,
DominicAn
REpubLic>>
Santiago de los Caballeros, the Dominican
Republic’s second-largest city, is often
referred to as La
Ciudad Corazón (the
“heartland city”). It’s
usually overlooked
by tourists heading
to the famous beach
of Puerto Plata, just 16
miles ( 26 kilometers)
to the north.
1Play Ball More than
a sport, baseball is a
way of life. From October
to January, Santiagueros
rush to El Estadio Cibao
to support the
hometown Águilas
Cibaeñas, winners of 20 Dominican
10 y the san- titles.
4 ocho This
ThingS
stew found
To Do>>
2 Enjoy a ghout Latin
Puro Learn ca is served
about the art of cigar- with rice and avocado
making—from the cutting and traditionally made
of the tobacco leaf to the with yucca, plantains,
rolling of the cigar—with yautía, and sweet pota-a visit to El Museo del toes. The Dominicans
Tabaco. Housed in a former give it a special flair with
Victorian cigar warehouse, seasoned beef, chicken
museum exhibits include and pork. Try it at El Pez
the rustic tools used to Dorado restaurant on
shape cigars along with old Calle del Sol.
photos of workers.
with Catholic rituals. If
you miss it, check out the
masks and costumes and
learn about the traditions
at the Tomás Morél Folk-
lore Museum on
Restauración.
officially named a symbol
of national identity during
the reign of Rafael Trujillo
(1930 to 1961), at Francifol
on Calle del Sol.
8 Go Back in Time A
horse-drawn carriage
ride is the perfect way to
take in the city’s Victorian and Spanish colonial
architecture. Two must-see
sights include the Catedral
Santiago Apóstol, built in
the late nineteenth century,
and the Centro de Recreo,
formally a gathering place
for Santiago’s high society.
3Celebrate Carnaval—
Dominican Style The
month-long celebration, which ends on or
near Dominican Independence Day (February 27),
mixes African traditions
6 Explore Calle del
Sol Spend an afternoon hunting for bargains
on one of Santiago’s most
fascinating streets. The
artisan shops of Mercado
Modelo offer a variety of
rustic handicrafts. Keep an See Contemporary eye out for larimar, a light
9 Art El Centro León
blue, semi-precious stone on Avenida 27 de Febrero
found only in the Domin- is one of the premier
ican Republic. spaces to see the diversity
of Dominican art—both
7 Enjoy a Panoramic old and new. Beyond the
View The Monument exhibits depicting tradi-
to the Heroes of the Resto- tional Dominican life, it
ration stands 230 feet offers many classes and
( 70 meters) tall on a workshops for the public.
5Dance Merengue hilltop overlooking the city.
Dominicans live and Originally constructed Stroll through
breathe merengue, a blend by Trujillo to honor himself,
10 Parque Duarte
of Spanish and African and renamed at the fall Popular among locals, this
rhythms played on accor- of his regime, it boasts small plaza is a great place
dion, guitar, tambora, guira, murals by renowned to sip a refreshing yun-yun
and marimba. You can Spanish artist José (a Dominican icee) and
join the dance, which was Vela Zanetti. watch the day unfold.
Eduardo Munoz/rEutErs/Corbis
