Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
pulled to the side of the road near the corner of Las Damas and El Conde. Or for a cross
809-686-2303;
www.chuchucolonial.com
;
child/adult US$7/12; 9am-5pm)
, a bunch of little 'train
cars' hooked together that leaves from the corner of El Conde and Isabel la Catolica every
45 minutes. It'll give you the lay of the land and a broad overview; however, the guides
and translation are of questionable quality and walking is a better bet.
If you want to hook up with a bus tour that may include outlying sights in addition to
the Zona Colonial, try one of the local agencies that provide city tours to guests of all-in-
809-686-4020;
www.turinter.com
)
. This isn't a bad option if you're short on time.
Festivals & Events
Carnival
Carnaval
(in Spanish) is celebrated throughout the country every Sunday in February, cul-
minating in a huge blowout in Santo Domingo during the last weekend of the month or
first weekend of March. Av George Washington (the Malecón) becomes an enormous
party scene all day and night. Central to the celebration are the competitions of floats, and
costumes and masks representing traditional Carnival characters.
CARNIVAL
Merengue Festival
( late Jul-early Aug)
The largest in the country, this two-week celebration of the DR's fa-
vorite music is held yearly. Most of the activity is on the Malecón, but there are related
events across the city.
MUSIC
Festival Presidente
( 3-5 Oct)
Held at the Estadio Olímpico (Olympic Stadium), this huge three-day event at-
tracts the top names in Latin music - jazz, salsa, merengue and
bachata
(popular guitar
music based on bolero rhythms). Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony have performed in the
past.
MUSIC
Sleeping
