This park is quite nice and is frequented by the friends and neighbors that live in the area. You can hang out and meet some of the friendly locals and there is usually some dominoes being played here as well. It has many beautiful large shade making trees with concrete benches encircling them.

There is a rise where some of Fuerte de San Jose still exists. Here children love to ride their bicycles up and down the ramp. Families hang out, maybe  having a birthday party or family gathering. There are sometimes concerts and events held here. Sometimes the neighbors get together and sell some of their home cooked dishes and goodies on Sunday afternoons. Also there are some skate boarders around because of the skate park located to one side of the park. There is a Colmado close where you can purchase your beverage of choice to enjoy while you sit and relax. This park is very inviting and and comfortable.

Here one can have a great view of the statue of Frair Anton de Montecino. Just walk up the ramp of the fort and the giant statue looms in front of you.

Sights Index | You Are Here - Sights Page 9 - Parks and Plazas 2

Return to Sights Index | Go on to Sights-Churches page 10

This calm shaded park is a nice place to sit and wile away an afternoon. There are benches where you can sit under a tree, relax and watch the world pass by.This square was also known as Anacaona Plaza, Santo Domingo Plaza and Plaza of the Ex-Convict Dominico.

This plaza named after Fray/ Friar Las Casas. This was the location of his home built in the mid 1600's. known as the Royal Protector of the Indians. It is surrounded by a wall and fence that is usually only open for concerts and special events because of the limited access until recently. Now the gates seem to be open more often.

This is a small very quiet plaza whose surrounding buildings housed high church officials and church offices. In this plaza one can see the Arabian influence in the building style. Walking through or sitting in this plaza one has the feeling of serenity. It makes one feel silent and reverent. You can almost feel the presence of the cloistered monks who used this place to remain in silence. With the Cathedral de Santa Maria on one side, looming in its grandness and majesty and the small simple offices on the other side of the plaza it is a great place to feel the presence of God.

This small plaza is dedicated to Father Francisco Xavier Billini. He is known as the protector of the poor man. His statue stands in the center of this plaza. Billini founded the Hospital de la Beneficencia which was the first charity hospital here in Dominican Republic. He also developed the lottery so as to help pay for these the poorest of patients.

I am not sure of the exact name of this plaza but it runs from the Ruins of the San Francisco Monistary, past the Chapel - Ermita de San Anton up to the old fort that is gone of San Francisco.

It is a nice walk, very peaceful. With all the steps going up the hill and the nice old wooden houses that are in abundance in this little neighborhood, it is a great place for taking pictures of the Ruinas. there always seems to be some of the neighborhood children playing. Sometimes the people living there sell their wares and you can purchase some fruits or home cooked foods.

Location: Walking from the Conde go up the hill (north) on Meriño or Hostos. Walk approximately 5 blocks past the Ruins of San Francisco. It is behind the ruins on Resturacion and Vicente C. Duarte. Check the map of Colonial Zone for the exact location (opens in a new window).

Our complete exchange rate tool can be found here

Home | Calendar | Events | Transportation | Maps | Hotel | Night Life & Dining | Sight Seeing | Pictures | Businesses | Artists | Food | Helps | History | Language | Music | News | Pastimes | Products | Tradition/Legend | Links | About Us-Contact | Sun-N-Moon Jewelry | Buy Mamajuana | Web Designers |

Duarte Park is rich in history. Haitian separatists fought for independence at this site in 1843. It was also the site of bullfights. The statue of Duarte in the center of the park was erected in 1930. The park faces the Capilla Dominicos (where the first university of the New World was founded in 1538).

In the night this place is over run by young people partying, drinking and listening to music. I call this park "the alternative lifestyle park" as it has a variety of visitors in the evenings. Artists, musicians, gay, and strait, young and old. A very interesting place to observe and enjoy partying with a variety of humans.

The plaza entrance is accessed through arched passages and can only be accessed during the day when the gates are unlocked. One of these arches is called the Puerta del Perdón/ The Door of Pardon. This archway leads to a small alley way type path where the people of the colonial times liked to take an afternoon stroll. This path is called El Callejón de los Curas/The Alley of Cures and it is a beautiful little stroll as it is laden with overhanging flowers and vines.

Located near this plaza was a colonial religious cemetery that is no longer there.

Location: Walking down (south) Isabel la Católica behind the Cathedral de Santa Maria at Colon Park. Directly behind the church behind the large black gates. Check the map of Colonial Zone for the exact location (opens in a new window).

Location: From the Conde walk down (south towards the sea) 19 de Marzo about 4 blocks. It is on the left situated between Jose Gabriel Garcia and the Malecon. Check the map of Colonial Zone for the exact location (opens in a new window).

Location: From the Conde turn south onto Padre Billini or Duarte. Walk in the direction of the sea almost 2 blocks. Check the map of Colonial Zone for the exact location (opens in a new window).

The park is not kept up well and needs some attention but there is a grand modern statue of Fray Bartolomé in it's center created by Juan de Vaquero..

Location: Walking from the Conde turn onto Hostos going south toward the sea. Past Parque Duarte to Padre Billini on the left behind a gated wall. Check the map of Colonial Zone for the exact location (opens in a new window).

This plaza is very quite and has no benches for sitting. It is attractive with it's beautifully kept flower beds that seem to always be in bloom.

Location: Walking from the Conde turn on Arzobispo Meriño south toward the sea. Walk about a block and a half and it is on the left side before you get to Padre Billini. Check the map of Colonial Zone for the exact location (opens in a new window).

The Malecon has a park running along the sea side of this busy street running most of its entire length. The road can be a little dangerous to cross as pedestrians do not have the right of way so be very careful. Once you have crossed to the sea side it is a beautiful walk. There are many benches where you can have a spectacular unobstructed view of the Caribbean Sea. The rough coral edges make for a great place for the waves to crash upon. The spray of the water on days when the waves are strong can be very refreshing.

There are little stops where you can get a drink or sandwich, sit and relax with the cool breezes blowing softly. In the evening there are more eating options on the sea side of the road at little kiosk type places or a restaurant. Many times throughout the year there are many free concerts along the road where it is shut off to traffic. It can be a fun time for all. The Carnival in Santo Domingo(pictures-new window) and most of the parades are held on this road.

There are many interesting statues and the obelisks (obelisco and the obelisca-new window) to see on this road.

Location: Runs east and west along the sea. The official name is Ave George Washington, Santo Domingo

about walking along the Malecon at night (will open in a new window)