Santo Domingo meaning "Saint Dominic", known officially as Santo Domingo de Guzmán, is the capital and largest city in the Dominican Republic and the largest city in the Caribbean by population. In 2010, its population was counted as 965,040. Santo Domingo is the cultural, financial, political, commercial and industrial center of the Dominican Republic, with the country’s most important industries being located within the city.
Jardín Botánico Nacional
One of the top tourist attractions outside of the Colonial Zone, this beautifully maintained botanical garden has over 2 sq. km. of lush vegetation native to the island. The park can be explored on foot or by tourist train. Highlights include the Japanese garden, the flower clock, aquatic plants, orchids, ferns and more. The Botanical Garden also has an Ecology Museum where visitors can learn more about the Dominican Republic’s different ecosystems. It provides information on mangrove forests, cloud forests and pine forests, as well as the island’s coastal environments. This is a great place to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and enjoy nature.