Our tour will start in  Santiago’s Parque Colon where we meet our local guide that will walk us through the mural art district Los Pepine – what makes this tour so special is the way it combines beauty, tradition, authenticity, and novelty.

We will take a walk and check out the murals painted all over the neighbourhood. You will have ample time to take pictures while being enlightened by the commentaries from our guide on the neighbourhood’s historic and cultural significance. There will be several food and drinks stops. If you love art and culture, this is a must-do activity.

Next stop is where we find a plethora of stores lines Santiago’s primary shopping street, Calle del Sol. Expect everything from apparel to shoes, electronics, and souvenirs. You’ll also find the city’s historic Mercado Modelo here, a beautiful, modern indoor market filled with small shops selling locally made Dominican items, from paintings to jewellery, art, and merengue instruments. As the second-largest city, Santiago offers an array of shopping malls–you’ll find plenty of designer boutiques, as well as gift shops.

The icing on the cake will be our last stop at the cultural center Centro Cultural León Jimenes:

A beautiful series of permanent exhibits showcase Dominican history and culture, dating back to the Taino days, on the first floor of this cultural center.

You’ll also find a visual arts room, displaying the winning art pieces from the annual Eduardo León Jimenes Art Contest, created in 1964 to promote art and encourage new generations of Dominican artists.

The cigar-focused exhibit, housed in a separate building, is fascinating–recounting the heritage of the DR’s premium cigar industry. There’s a gift shop on-site with unique handmade souvenirs, as well as a cafeteria.

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Local snacks sweets and drinks during the walking tour, Lunch in Santiago

Tip, Alcoholic beverages