Santiago de los Caballeros

Travel Guide

Photo provided by Ministry of Tourism of the Dominican Republic
Photo provided by Ministry of Tourism of the Dominican Republic
Photo provided by Ministry of Tourism of the Dominican Republic
Photo provided by Ministry of Tourism of the Dominican Republic
Photo provided by Ministry of Tourism of the Dominican Republic
Partake in lively festivals, view impressive monuments and witness authentic Dominican life in one of the oldest colonial cities in the New World.

Appreciate the down-to-earth vibe of the Dominican Republic’s second-largest city, Santiago de los Caballeros, which translates to mean “Saint James of the Knights.” Often overlooked by visitors who rush to the beaches of the coast, this captivating city offers plenty of ornate monuments and interesting museums and architecture, as well as the chance to experience a slice of everyday life in the Dominican Republic.

Santiago’s most iconic feature is the Monumento a los Heroes de la Restauración de la República, which towers over the city. Stand under the 230-foot (70-meter) high bronze Angel de la Paz, which honors the Dominican soldiers who fought in the country’s war of independence.

For over 500 years, Santiago has produced cigars and rum from the sugarcane and tobacco plantations that blanket the surrounding valley floor. Join a factory tour to see how the famous rum and tobacco products are made.

Get to know the residents through their love of music, nightlife and festivals. The classic Dominican music known as merengue périco ripiao, which uses an accordion, tambora drum and güira (metal scraper), evolved in Santiago. Listen to this and other indigenous music being played in bars all over the city. Time your visit just right to enjoy one of the city’s legendary festivals. Santiago puts on a good show for Carnival with costumes, parades, papier-mâché masks and a whole lot of frivolity.

Appreciate the cultural side of Santiago. Visit the impressive Centro Leon, a world-class museum with a large collection of 20th-century Dominican art built with funding from the León Jimenes family of tobacco merchants. The Catedral de Santiago Apóstol is also worth a stop. Venture inside to inspect the stained-glass windows. Learn more about Dominican history at the castle-like Fortaleza San Luis, a 17th-century military stronghold that today contains a small museum.

Puerto Plata International Airport is 56 miles (91 kilometers) from Santiago and is served by taxis and public buses. Inter-city buses connect to other parts of the country. Rent a car to get to nearby beaches. While city public transportation is cheap and efficient, wander through the center on foot to truly get a feel for this vibrant yet hard-working city.

Where to stay in Santiago de los Caballeros

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Santiago de los Caballeros Centro

Though Santiago de los Caballeros Centro might not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like Catedral de Santiago and Estadio Cibao.

Santiago de los Caballeros Centro
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Cerros de Gurabo

Cerros de Gurabo might not have many top sights, but Casino Gran Almirante and Bella Terra Mall are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

Cerros de Gurabo
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Villa Olga

While visiting Villa Olga, you might make a stop by sights like Bella Terra Mall and Cinemacentro Cibao.

Villa Olga
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Los Jardines

4.5/5(36 area reviews)

While there might not be top attractions in Los Jardines, you can explore the larger area and discover places like Casino Gran Almirante and Monument to the Heroes of the Restoration.

Los Jardines
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Reparto Universitario

Though Reparto Universitario might not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like Monument to the Heroes of the Restoration and Casino Gran Almirante.

Reparto Universitario
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La Zurza

When in La Zurza, you can plan a visit to Monument to the Heroes of the Restoration and Historic San Luis Fort Museum, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

La Zurza
Hotel Santiago, Curio Collection by Hilton
Hotel Santiago, Curio Collection by Hilton
4 out of 5
Ave. Juan Pablo Duarte, esq. Ave. Salvador Estrella Sadhalá, Santiago de los Caballeros
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is NT$3,961 per night from Jun 29 to Jun 30
NT$3,961
NT$5,070 total
Jun 29 - Jun 30
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Santiago de los Caballeros. Enjoy a rooftop terrace, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Popular attractions Bella Terra Mall ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (125 reviews)
"Fast and easy check in. Nice clean hotel."

Reviewed on 2025/6/19

Hotel Santiago, Curio Collection by Hilton
Centro Plaza Hodelpa
Centro Plaza Hodelpa
3 out of 5
C/ Mella No. 54 Esq. Del Sol Apdo 459, Santiago de los Caballeros, Santiago
The price is NT$2,653 per night from Jul 4 to Jul 5
NT$2,653
NT$3,396 total
Jul 4 - Jul 5
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Santiago de los Caballeros. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a casino. Our guests praise the helpful staff and ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,006 reviews)
"Enjoyed our stay.....very nice clean and comfortable. Staff was excellent.......i will be back"

Reviewed on 2025/6/17

Centro Plaza Hodelpa
Hodelpa Garden Court
Hodelpa Garden Court
3.5 out of 5
Autopista Duarte Km 9, Puñal, Santiago
The price is NT$3,288 per night from Jul 4 to Jul 5
NT$3,288
NT$4,209 total
Jul 4 - Jul 5
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly hotel in Puñal. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,001 reviews)
"Everything about it is great"

Reviewed on 2025/6/12

Hodelpa Garden Court
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Residenciales H1 & H2
Residenciales H1 & H2
4 out of 5
5 Calle Primera, Santiago de los Caballeros, Santiago
Stay at this 4-star aparthotel in Santiago de los Caballeros. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Popular attractions Centro Leon and Cinemacentro ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (85 reviews)
"Excelente hospedaje."

Reviewed on 2025/6/16

Residenciales H1 & H2
The Grand Forest Jarabacoa
The Grand Forest Jarabacoa
3.5 out of 5
Raquet club, Jarabacoa, La Vega
Stay at this 3.5-star villa in Jarabacoa. Enjoy free breakfast, onsite spa services, and daily housekeeping. Popular attractions Malecón de Jarabacoa and Jarabacoa ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (17 reviews)
"The Grand Forest is by far the best place I’ve been in my life. The place, room, facility and the personalize service by the staff was the best ever for me. The owner (Mike and his wife) themself make sure that every guest feels welcome and are receiving the best care. Thank you Mike for your personalized ..."

Reviewed on 2025/5/22

The Grand Forest Jarabacoa
Complejo Ecoturistico Rancho Cielo
Complejo Ecoturistico Rancho Cielo
4 out of 5
Carr. Mella, Licey al Medio, Santiago
Stay at this 4-star aparthotel in Licey al Medio. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and an airport shuttle (surcharge). Popular attraction Mundo Acuático ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (18 reviews)
"Stayed here for 1 night. This hotel was very clean and quiet. The views are beautiful. The owner was kind and very helpful. We will stay here again in the future. Fue en placer pasar la noche en este hotel. Muy cómodo. Se lo recomendaría a mi familia."

Reviewed on 2025/4/24

Complejo Ecoturistico Rancho Cielo
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Reviews of Santiago de los Caballeros

4.2
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
84
5 - Excellent 43%
4 - Good
84
4 - Good 43%
3 - Okay
23
3 - Okay 12%
2 - Disappointing
2
2 - Disappointing 1%
1 - Terrible
4
1 - Terrible 2%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

Great city, great history, my favorite city in DR

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Beautiful city

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

cleaner than Santo Domingo

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

I like Santiago. Good restaurants, good shopping, a little bit of everything and a typical university city, nice buildings, green spaces and lots of life.

2/5 - Disappointing

Verified traveler

Not high on the list from a tourist perspective—older accommodations, congestion, noise, etc. Provides a better cultural immersion than the beach towns, for sure. We had just an overnight stay prior to our departing flight...was worth one night.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Santiago never disappoints me , i am extremely proud of my beautiful city that birth me . Love it

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