The island of Hispaniola, which today is the home of both the Dominican Republic and the Republic of Haiti, was originally home to the Taino Indians. The Tainos lived on the island they lovingly called Quisqueya. In the Taino language this means "Land for which there is none better". The Taino nation ended the moment Christopher Columbus landed. Santo Domingo, capital city of the Dominican Republic, is the oldest continually inhabited European settlement in the Americas, having been founded in 1498 by Bartholomew Columbus, brother of Christopher. Serving as the base of exploration for the New World discoverer for 17 months, the seaport soon became the center of Spanish activity in the Greater Antilles. Later, Spanish conquistadores used Santo Domingo as the jumping-off point to conquer other lands and explore.

Santo Domingo enjoys a typically tropical climate with the average annual temperature 25°C (77°F). The weather is roughly the same throughout the year. However the country does experience two seasons, winter and summer. The hottest season (summer) is roughly from May to October. It does rain a bit more often during this season, especially from May to August, but usually this turns out to be no more than a 15 to 35 minute tropical shower. Hurricanes can occur between June and November.

The remains important as the country's economic hub, as well as one of the Caribbean's top business centers. The city attracts many international firms and franchises due to its geographic location, vibrant economy and stability.

Several long-distance bus services run between Santo Domingo and other towns on the island. The public bus system in Santo Domingo is inexpensive and readily accessible. The city is serviced by large metropolitan transport buses, as well as minibuses, which zip in and out of city neighborhoods and go from one town to another for a tenth of the cost of a taxi. Publicos, another type of public transportation, are regular cars that serve as multi-passenger taxis. Within Santo Domingo there are excellent radio-taxi services. The airports and most of the major hotels have rental offices, and several agencies have offices on or near the waterfront.

Santo Domingo's Spanish colonization period, and it's many "firsts" were recognized by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) proclaimed Santo Domingo the cultural heritage of the New World. Part of Santo Domingo, called the Colonial City or the Zona Colonial, has numerous historical sites, including the House of Cord and the Alcazar palace, which is now a museum.

Inside the Colonial City stands the oldest cathedral (Church of Nuestra Senora del Rosario) in the western hemisphere, built in 1523 and still in use. A tomb in the cathedral was reputed to be the final resting place of Christopher Columbus, but the remains (the authenticity of which is disputed, with Spain also claiming to have a set of Columbus's bones) were moved to the Columbus Memorial Lighthouse in 1990. The main entrance stands next to the Columbus Plaza, and a giant statue of the great navigator himself.

The first street in the Americas is Calle de Las Damas, the site of numerous historic buildings including the Ozama Fortress, the oldest fortress in the Americas. At the west end of El Conde is the El Conde Gate, part of the old city wall. It is now the entrace to Independence Park, where the mausoleum of the Fathers of the country is. Here is where Duarte, Sanchez, and Mella declared independence for the Dominican Republic in 1844.

The Faro a Colón (Columbus' Light House), a cross-shaped in reinforced concrete, 200 meter long from east to west and 60 meter north to south, is a monument, cultural center and a museum. In the heart of the structure is a chapel containing the Columbus tomb. The monument was designed by English architect J.L. Gleave, who won an international competition for the design after 455 plans were submitted by architects from 48 different countries. The most outstanding and unique feature is the lighting system composed of 149 searchlights and a 70-kilowatt beam that circles out for nearly 44 miles. When illuminated, the lights project a gigantic cross.

The Santo Domingo Botanicals gardens are considered to be the largest in the Dominican Republic and offer a train ride through the exhibits of the fauna and flora. Gardens include many endemic birds not found anywhere else in the world. The most famous example is the Palm Chat, or “cigua palmera” as it's known in Spanish, the DR’s national bird.

Los Tres Ojos National Park is declared as tourist attraction in 1970. Los Tres Ojos is a series of huge natural caverns dotted with fresh water lagoons of different sizes and depths. The caves are decorated by an array of stalactites and stalagmites.

The most popular beach near Santo Domingo is Boca Chica because the water is shallow and suitable for children.