Originally Posted by
MAH4546
A "side trip" to Port au Prince or Santo Domingo? Are you kidding? What exactly do you expect to see in two of the poorest and most dangerous Caribbean cities? If you want a side trip to an urban, non-"islandy" Caribbean city, go to Santiago, DR.
"Santo Domingo is the capital and the largest city in the Dominican Republic. The city is the center of economic activity in the Dominican Republic. Many national and international firms have their headquarters or regional offices in Santo Domingo. The city attracts many international firms and franchises due to its geographic location, stability, and vibrant economy.The infrastructure is adequate for most business operations. For many years the Dominican Republic has enjoyed a modern and state of the art telecommunications system, due to its privatization and integration with the US system.
Santo Domingo has areas of high development, which mostly consist of costly buildings and luxury houses, contrasting with the outskirts of other parts of the city which are less economically developed.
Famous landmarks in Santo Domingo include the Puerta del Conde, the Puerta de la Misericordia, the Catedral Santa María La Menor (Catedral Primada de América), the National Pantheon and the Alcázar de Colón, all of which are located within the Zona Colonial district of the city. This part was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1990.
The dangers present in the Dominican Republic are similar to those of many major U.S. cities. Visitors walking the streets should always be aware of their surroundings, although kidnappings are not common in the Dominican Republic. The Dominican Republic has police that are specially trained to assist tourists who require assistance. This public institution is called Politur and represents a cooperative effort between the National Police, Secretary of the Armed Forces, and the Secretary of Tourism. Politur typically has personnel in tourist areas to provide first responder type assistance to tourists."
Cheers