Museo de las Casas Reales

Located on Calle Las Damas, the first European-built street in the continent, Museo de las Casas Reales is a reconstructed early 16th-century building, which in colonial times served as a governmental palace, housing the Chancellery of the Indies among other offices. Now it doubles as an art gallery with exhibitions of contemporary Dominican art. Also on this important street, you can find the Reloj de Sol (sundial) built in 1753 by order of General Francisco de Rubio. Next to that lies the Capilla de Nuestra Senora de los Remedios, built in the early 16th Century as a private chapel for the Dávila family. Another important building, the Alcázar de Colón lies at the end of Calle Las Damas. It was constructed by Diego Colón between 1510 and 1514. For six decades it was the seat of the Spanish crown in the New World. It now houses the interesting Museo Virreinal (Viceregal Museum). Near this castle you can also find Las Atarazanas, a cluster of 16th-century buildings, which served as warehouses and now contain stores, bars and restaurants. Other dining options in the area, for when you finish your tour are Restaurante Bella Cristal and Café de las Flores.

Boca Chica

Just east of Santo Domingo and a few miles past the airport, you will find the town and beach of Boca Chica. It is crowded with locals on Sundays and holidays because of its proximity to Santo Domingo. The town has three large all-inclusive resorts and a host of small hotels, rooming houses and condos. Just behind the beach is Calle Duarte, where all the off-beach action can be found. Here you will find a string of bars, restaurants, gift shops and discos. The Hotel Hamaca has a casino and a disco open to the public. The activities in the resorts will keep you entertained and safe. But if you go out at night, try not to walk alone in the streets. It's a great scene for singles and party crowds, but it is not recommended for family vacationers. But don't miss the beauty of the Boca Chica beach itself. A few minutes farther east, you come to the tourist town and beach of Juan Dolio. There is a little nightlife, but not on the scale of Boca Chica. The beaches here are quiet and pristine. The surf is calm because a barrier reef about a hundred yards off shore keeps the waves down. Most of the area between the reef and the beach is very shallow, making it ideal for walking out to the reef, and for snorkeling and diving. The Coral Costa Caribe and the Decameron casinos are open to the public. This is a great place for a more relaxed vacation experience. Drive a little farther east to the city of La Romana. The city itself has few attractions other than the beach. However, the largest sugar mill in the world fills the oceanfront area. Just outside of La Romana, you have the famous Casa de Campo resort and the Altos de Chavón artist's village. Casa de Campo has fine golf courses, and many rate the Teeth of the Dog course as the best in the Caribbean. If you get hungry after all this beach-going and resort hopping, all these hotels offer world-class dining options, as well as more casual options.

Monasterio de San Francisco

The city's most important ruins include the Monasterio de San Francisco, the first monastery in the Americas, constructed in the first decade of the 16th century. It was sacked by Francis Drake and finally destroyed by two earthquakes in 1673 and 1751. Nearby, the Iglesia del Convento Dominico has served as the Autonomous University of Santo Domingo, but today has been returned to the Dominican Order. Also in the area and worth a visit are the Iglesia de Santa Bárbara, a gothic style church that dates back to 1537, and houses the baptismal font of the Father of the Dominican Republic, Juan Duarte. After all these religious sights, maybe you're in the mood for something a little more lighthearted like the Acuario Nacional de la República Dominicana (National Aquarium). With 250 different marine species, the aquarium is a great spot for a little lighthearted fun and education for the whole family. After visiting all these museums and churches, there are a good number of restaurants for you to refuel. The Montecristo Café is an English style pub serving a variety of both hot and cold snacks, as well as drinks and various theme nights throughout the week. Rossini serves mouth watering Italian dishes in practically no time at all, a good choice if you're in a hurry to get back to the sightseeing.

Guided Tours: Colonial Tour and Travel (+809 688 5285 / http://www.colonialtours.com.do/Englishsanto.htm)