Things To Do in Santiago & Cibao Airport Layover Ideas

There's lots to see and experience in Santiago, so take advantage of any extra time to see what you can.

Shop Calle del Sol

Known as the city's main shopping district, the street is stocked with shops, hotels, restaurants, bars and an array of vendors. The heart of this laid back city proves to be the cultured downtown area, so Calle del Sol is a great spot to shop, people watch and get a taste of the local culture.

Centro Leon Santiago

Centro Leon is the modern center of Santiago. Centro León Museum (27 de Febrero Avenue) displays elements of the Caribbean and Dominican cultures, Natural Dominican History, Native Indian Evolution and Culture. Also, it periodically hosts different art exhibitions of Dominican and international artists.

Monumento a los Héroes de la Restauración

Also known as El Monumento Santiago, this monument is located on a hill in the middle of Santiago, with spectacular views of the city and surrounding mountains. Now dedicated to the heroes of the Dominican Restoration War, fought from 1863 to 1865, the monument was built for the centennial of the Dominican War of Independence, which was fought in 1844 to gain sovereignty from Haiti. Recently remodelled, the monument has three plazas, one dedicated to Santiago's customs, another to famous Dominican writers and the last to the Águilas Cibaeñas or Cibao Eagles, Santiago's baseball team. The monument has a surrounding park and it is an attractive place at night where people go to relax.

Museo del Tabaco

The Tobacco Museum is located in the Town Centre and is an ideal spot for cigar lovers and a perfect place to relax after a day of shopping. Cigar aficionados believe many of the Dominican Republic-made cigars are superior in quality to the much more famous Cuban cigars. Learn about the art of cigar-making while purchasing some of the country's top brands.

A note of caution: Poverty, though not as bad as next door Haiti, is still rampant and it is best you take precautions. Do not flash obvious wealth, keep a firm grip on your bag, walk confidently, and try not to dress or act like a tourist.

As always, make sure you leave plenty of time to get back to STI Cibao International Airport and clear security in time for your connecting flight. Enjoy your transit city rather than whiling away the time leaning up against your luggage in the departures lounge.