Ciudad Colonial: Stroll the same cobbled walkways and historical haunts where the Spanish plotted their conquests and pirates ravaged the city. Dine or even sleep in their former homes.

Parque Colón: Flanked by the oldest cathedral in the western hemisphere, colonial architecture, and pubs offering refreshing antidotes to the hot sun, Parque Colón is a perfect spot for relaxing after sightseeing.

Catedral Primada de América: Sit under the great arching ceiling of the oldest cathedral of the New World. Sir Francis Drake and his men captured and occupied it during their monthlong siege of the city.

Dance Clubs: You can’t experience the Dominican Republic until you have danced to its rhythms. Whether you crave merengue, bachata, salsa, or techno music, you’re bound to find the right mix. Santo Domingo has the biggest LGBT community on the island, where the clubs have some of the best DJs around.

Baseball: A trip to Estadio Quisqueya to watch baseball is a must in the country that produces Major League Baseball star players like a natural resource. These games are a ballgame and a party rolled into one.