Why Santiago De Los Caballeros Is The Next Big Destination In The Dominican Republic

Last Updated 1 year ago

While the Dominican Republic is mostly known as a beach and all-inclusive resort destination, its cities are renowned for their centuries-old history and rich culture. One of the latest destinations making it on travelers’ radar is Santiago de Los Caballeros, the Dominican Republic’s second-largest city situated in the northeastern part of the island. The city, which is surrounded by mountainous scenery, offers visitors a glimpse of authentic Dominican culture.

With a record number of tourists heading to the sunny island, travelers are increasingly seeking new and exciting sites to discover in the country. For those interested in dynamic city life full of culture and warm hospitality, Santiago de Los Caballeros in the country’s northern region offers tourists a fulfilling experience. Also known locally as La Ciudad Corazón (the Heartland City), Santiago’s convenient location makes it a suitable base to discover the northern parts of the country.

Some of the city’s top highlights include its easy access to Dominican nature and surrounding mountainous terrain as well as its history as one of the oldest cities in the country, founded in the 15th century. Santiago is easily reachable by bus from other major cities such as Santo Domingo or nearby Puerto Plata.

With ecotourism becoming a trend in several parts of the country, Santiago de Los Caballeros offers travelers some of the best opportunities to immerse themselves in Dominican nature and wildlife. Its Botanical Garden features nearly 7 miles of paths where visitors can catch a glimpse of rare birds. The nearby mountains also have excellent trails for day trips.

Tourists will find a range of accommodation options in the city. Hodelpa, one of the Dominican Republic’s famed luxury hotel chains, owns several hotels in the city. The Hodelpa Gran Almirante is the only 5-star hotel in the area, complete with a casino & pool, although various other hotels can be found across the city. Those who’d like to make a day trip to the Dominican coast can head over to nearby Puerto Plata, with an abundance of beaches and all-inclusive resorts.

Health tourism is also gaining popularity around the world, and visitors in Santiago will soon find one of the country’s newest health clinics: Residence Inn by Marriott -Homs Health and Wellness Center. Set to open in early 2023, the establishment will have 111 rooms and provides guests with a relaxing stay whilst receiving top-notch medical treatment in various specialties. A similar health tourism establishment is also under construction in Santo Domingo, as travelers flock to the Dominican Republic to seek more affordable treatment options.

Santiago de Los Caballeros is well-connected to major North American destinations thanks to Ceibo International Airport, the country’s third-largest. Passengers can fly direct to the city from several destinations including New York, Boston, and Miami. The country’s aviation authority recently announced that the airport would undergo a massive expansion to double its capacity as well as add 280 meters to the runway to accommodate larger aircraft.

The Dominican government is fully aware of the city’s potential and is working on a new project to help tourists discover the bustling city. The country’s tourism minister David Collado recently announced an ambitious plan to coordinate the city’s different tourism actors to highlight the city’s tourism potential in areas such as gastronomy and culture. Overall, over 50 million Dominican pesos will be used to promote the city internationally.

Santiago de Los Caballeros is the perfect destination for travelers who want to experience Dominican city life. Punta Cana, the country’s top tourism hotspot, is expecting a record-breaking summer season, so Santiago is an ideal location to avoid crowded beaches and enjoy a unique vacation experience.