Car Hire in SANTO DOMINGO INDEPENDENCIA - Mini guide to SANTO DOMINGO INDEPENDENCIA

Santo Domingo is the capital and the largest city in the Dominican Republic. It is also the oldest European settlement in the ‘New World’ and is located at the mouth of the River Ozama. Santo Domingo is a vibrant and diverse city with a population of over three million people within the city and the province of Santo Domingo, and covers over 250 square kilometres.

The Colonial Zone is a small town within Santo Domingo. This is where the first Europeans settled and much of the original city can still be seen today. This part of the city was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1990 and is home to some important historical buildings. The Cathedral Santa Maria La Menor was the first Catholic Cathedral to be built in the Americas and the Forteleza Ozama is the oldest fortress. The monastery, university and hospital are also the first of their kind to be built in the New World. The 16th century houses and churches are fine examples of Spanish colonial architecture and the cobbled streets add to the charm of the area.

Santo Domingo is not just about history and it has a wide variety of restaurants and modern shopping areas where tourists can buy designer goods at discounted prices.

Santo Domingo also has a number of museums. The Museo de Arte Moderne has a collection of paintings and sculptures by local and international artists. The collection is dominated by local work but special exhibitions highlight works by overseas artists. The county’s best-known artists Elvis Aviles and Tony Capellan enjoy worldwide recognition. Museo Bellapart houses the largest private art collection in Santo Domingo. The collection covers four important periods of art and history in the Dominican Republic. The Museo del Hombre Dominicano preserves artefacts from the first inhabitants of the area, most notably the Taino Indians.

For those seeking some relaxation, the drive west from Santo Domingo brings you to Palenque and Nizao. Nizao is a seaside resort with a beautiful beach that extends for almost three kilometres. Palenque has a dark-sand beach that is good for surfing and diving. Offshore are the remains of the French galleon Diomedes Imperial which sank in 1806.

For travelling within Santo Domingo a car is not necessary because the bus service is generally good and reliable. For exploring the surrounding areas car hire is a good option. It is best to pre-book a car with an international car rental company or choose a reputable local company such as Honda or Nelly.

Car hire deals in: Dominica

We rent the following types of cars: Economy (Vauxhall Corsa or equiv.), Mini, Small family (Ford Focus or equiv.), Medium family (Toyota Avensis or equiv.), large family (BMW 5 series), 4x4, SUV, Convertible, Van, Sports car, Luxury cars.

Hire cheap cars from the following suppliers, Ebookers, Opodo, Avis, Expedia, Sixt, Thrifty and budget rental prices from EasyCar, Budget, Holiday Autos, Economy, 121carhire.