City of Santo Domingo is full of awe-inspiring sites, beautiful churches, bustling plazas and fascinating entertainment avenues. Travelers to the city would find no dearth of wonderful places to do and exciting things to do that suits their liking and interest. Few of the city attractions that are absolute must visits include:

Colonial City:The historic enclave of the city is known as the Colonial City. Spread over one square mile, this part of Santo Domingo is full of historical buildings and sites like forts, palaces, churches, museums, parks, statues, plazas and monuments.

Cathedral of Santa Maria:Situated inside the Colonial City, the Cathedral of Santa Maria is the oldest cathedral of the region. Built in 1523, this beautiful cathedral features Gothic interiors and a wonderful golden coral facade.

National Aquarium:The National Aquarium in Santo Domingo provides visitors with an awesome experience of viewing enclosed sea life through a clear glass tunnel. The marine life at the National Aquarium includes a wide array of fishes that range from sharks to angelfish.

Columbus Lighthouse Monument:Built on shores of the Ozama River, the Columbus Lighthouse Monument was built in 1990s to commemorate 500th anniversary of the arrival of Christopher Columbus in the New World. The lighthouse also marks Santo Domingo`s status as the oldest European city in the Americas.

Santo Domingo is a popular vacation spot in the Caribbean that plays host to thousands of travelers per year. With a large number of hotels, resorts and villas catering to the needs of travelers with varied interests and budgets, the hotel infrastructure in the city is great.

Three Star Accommodation:Featuring modest infrastructure, facilities and services, three star accommodation options are easy to find all around the city. Ideal options for the budget conscious travelers, some of the most notable Santo Domingo hotels in the three-star category include Occidental El Embajador, Hilton Santo Domingo, Hostal Nicolas de Ovando-Mgallery, Courtyard Santo Domingo, Sofitel Nicolas, Hotel Frances McGallery, Mercure Comercial, Holiday Inn and Barcelo.

Five Star Accommodation:Offering the best of facilities and services for the most discerning of guests, luxury hotels in Santo Domingo are ideal choices for travelers who are ready to splurge on luxuries. Most popular hotels in this category include Hostal Nicolas de Ovando Santo Domingo, Melia Santo Domingo and InterContinental V Centenario.

A valid passport is required by all nationals intending to visit Santo Domingo. Nationals of US, UK and Canada can also present a WHTI compliant document or a government issued photo-id card in lieu of the passport.

Citizens of UK, United States, South Africa, New Zealand, Australia and Canada do not require a visa to enter into Santo Domingo for stays of up to 30 days. However, travelers do need to possess a tourist card that is issued on arrival at the airport at a cost of US$10 for 30 days.

All travelers are also required to possess a return or onward journey ticket.

The ever pleasant climate of Santo Domingo ensures that the city remains an all-year destination. However, like other Caribbean destinations, this city is visited the most during the winter season. December to April is the peak tourist season whereas June to November is the off-peak season in Santo Domingo.

Featuring a tropical monsoon climate, the average temperature in Santo Domingo varies little throughout the year. The humidity and heat in the city is mitigated by the tropical trade wind that doesn`t let the city temperature be uncomfortable during any time of the year. July and August are the warmest months whereas December and January are the coldest months in the city. January through April is the dry season but owing to the trade winds, it does rain even during these months. Like other Caribbean nations, Santo Domingo is also susceptible to hurricanes.

Currency:The official currency of Santo Domingo is the Dominican Peso. US Dollar is also commonly used whereas Euro is also accepted at certain places. Foreign currency is exchanged at major hotels and bank booths at international airports. Do find out about the charges levied by your bank for ATM cash withdrawals.

Language:The official language of Santo Domingo is Spanish. English is also commonly spoken and understood by many locals, especially those engaged in the tourism industry or residing in the touristy parts of the city.