text:
Santo Domingo

Santo Domingo is the capital of the Dominican Republic, the oldest European city in the Americas, and the most developed city on the island of Hispaniola. The old city is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Elsewhere in the Dominican Republic, which is named after Santo Domingo, it's more common to just call this city "the capital" than to call it by its name.

Understand
Santo Domingo is the capital city of the Dominican Republic, and it prides itself in being the first European city in the New World. Founded by Christopher Columbus's brother Bartolome Colombus in 1496, it is the oldest continuously inhabited European settlement in the Americas and was the first seat of the Spanish colonial empire in the New World. For this reason, the city of Santo Domingo has a really rich historic and cultural heritage that makes any visit extremely worthwhile. Santo Domingo remains one of the most populous cities in the Central America-Caribbean area, and the main economic and commercial center of this region. The country suffered 31 years of a brutal dictatorship by Trujillo, during which time the city was called "Ciudad Trujillo".

The city is divided into two parts by the Ozama River. The western side is very developed economically, while the eastern part, known as "Santo Domingo Este," has lagged behind.

The most important tourist destination of the city is the Zona Colonial or Colonial Zone, on the western bank of the river and facing the Caribbean Sea. To the west of the Zona Colonial lies Gazcue, one of the city's oldest neighborhoods, filled with old Victorian houses and tree-lined streets. The city's waterfront George Washington Avenue, known as "El Malecon," borders the Caribbean Sea and attracts many tourists because of its hotels, casinos, palm-lined boulevards and monuments. Surrounding the Gazcue area you will find the Palacio Nacional (seat of the Dominican government), the National Theater, the museums in the Plaza de la Cultura, and the Palace of Fine Arts.

In the central part of western Santo Domingo lies the economic and commercial heart of the city, in an area known as the "Poligono Central" and delimited by the 27 de Febrero, John F. Kennedy, Winston Churchill and Maximo Gomez avenues. This high-income area remains rather unexplored by tourists, despite offering most of the best dining and shopping available in the city. Many of the city's most affluent neighborhoods surround the city's two main parks, the Parque Mirador Sur in the South and the Jardin Botanico in the North.

In the more populated but less developed East Santo Domingo you will find other major monuments and tourist spots, such as Columbus's Lighthouse, where the explorer's remains are buried, the open caves of the Parque Nacional Los Tres Ojos, and the National Aquarium.

This all makes of Santo Domingo a cosmopolitan, vibrant and bustling city with very distinct neighborhoods and ambiances, all worth a visit, and providing the most diverse cultural experiences.

What's nice about Santo Domingo is that it receives significantly fewer tourists than other cities in the Dominican Republic such as Punta Cana and La Romana. As a result, travelers to Santo Domingo are rewarded by being able to experience a completely true and authentic Dominican experience that is hard to come across in major tourist hubs.

Climate
Santo Domingo enjoys a tropical climate. Temperature averages from 23°C (73.4°F) in the morning to 31.7°C (89.1°F) by the afternoon. Generally, January and February are the coldest months, and August is the hottest month of the year. The island is prone to hurricanes especially during June 1 to November 30, but warnings beforehand prepare residents and tourists for any harm. Santo Domingo is a great city to visit during any season, because the city's ideal tropical weather runs all year long!

Economy
Santo Domingo is the headquarter of economic activity in Dominican Republic. The city catches the attention of many international firms. Many of these firms have their headquarters in the city due to its great location and prosperous economy. The city is also home to over 26 colleges and universities including the Universidad Autónoma de Santo Domingo, which is the largest and the first university of the Americas.

Power outages have been one of the downfalls of placing a major headquarter in the city, but the infrastructure is a great advantage to many of these international firms. Since Santo Domingo has privatize and integrated with the US telecommunication system, they have been fortunate to have the benefit of a contemporary telecommunication system.

Incomes in Santo Domingo can vary from extremely rich to extremely poor. Many of the prominent families live in neighborhoods surrounding Avenida John F. Kennedy ("Avenida" = "Avenue") to the north, Avenida 27 de Febrero to the south, Avenida Winston Churchill to the west and Avenida Máximo Gómez to the east. Some other areas that are always expanding and developing are Naco, Arroyo Hondo, Piantini, Paraíso, Bella Vista, Sarasota. Most of the city's less fortunate live outside the center of Santo Domingo, which can  be seen by various slums that emphasizes the huge issue  poverty is for the city.

Avenida Winston Churchill and 27 de Febrero Avenue are two of the commercial centers of the city. Many malls and shops are found in these two avenues, such as Acropolis Center, Scotiabank, Citibank, Banco BHD, Banco del Progreso, Banreservas, Plaza Central and Plaza Naco. However, some of the most popular malls are Acropolis Center, Bella Vista Mall, Blue Mall, Novo-Centro, Agora Mall and Galería 360 because it contains more contemporary shops and are popular within the high income families.

Government and politics
The national government of the Dominican Republic is located in Santo Domingo. The National Palace houses the President of Dominican Republic and the National Congress.

By plane

Direct flights from: Atlanta, Boston, New York, Fort Lauderdale, Miami, Philadelphia, Panama City, San Jose Costa Rica, San Juan Puerto Rico, Havana, Port-au-Prince, Caracas, Paris, Madrid Barajas, Frankfurt Airport, Munich Airport and Düsseldorf and surrounding Caribbean islands.

Airfare to Santo Domingo may vary widely depending on season and demand. A round trip ticket from Boston or New York ranges anywhere from US$300 to US$700, with fares from Miami or San Juan only slightly lower.

Airfare from most cities in Latin America cost between US$400 and US$1,000 and require layovers in Panamá City, Panamá (Copa Airlines) or San José, Costa Rica (Avianca).

Taxis charge anywhere US$25-40 for the drive from the airport into Santo Domingo. Or, go up to the second floor at the Arrivals (at the very end), where a minivan will accommodate up to 8 passengers for a ride for RD$70 (pesos) for 1/2 hour to the Zona Colonial (only). For further distances to the center (i.e. to the Caribe Tours Terminal), you will need to negotiate just like you would have with the usual un-metered taxis. To return, the cheapest option is to go to the corner of Av. Sabena Larga with Av. Las Americas (walkable in 15 minutes from Zona Colonial), where this same van may be there, or if not take the bus going to Boca Chica (RD$40, about 1 hr); ask the driver to stop before the express route to the airport, from where you can walk (about 20 minutes, some 2 km). Do not return during night time. Hardly anyone speaks English in the bus, around the terminals etc. However getting to the city center seems more viable, that van was recommended at the Tourist Desk in the airport, and some sort of authority (with a badge) was entertaining the driver while waiting for the car to be filled. Since the DR is pretty small it is possible to fly into any of the other airports in the country and do a short (2-5 hours) overland trip from there.

By ferry
There is ferry service to and from Mayaguez as well as San Juan, Puerto Rico. It costs around US$200 roundtrip and the overnight journey last 12 hours. For an additional fee, you can bring your car along for the ride. The former company, Ferries del Caribe is now out of business and the new provider is called America Cruise Ferries.

By cruise
Sansouci is a state-of-the-art terminal that holds up to 3800 passengers and luggage. From there you can get a taxi or a tour, and there is also an ATM, gift shops, a call center, and internet service.

By bus
Santo Domingo is served by Expreso Bavaro and Caribe Tours from Punta Cana and by Caribe Tours from Sosua via Puerto Plata and Santiago de los Caballeros. Taxis from the bus terminals to the historic city center cost between RD$200 and RD$400, depending on bargaining skills.

Get around
Santo Domingo used to be a huge city (population nearly 4 million people) that was split into 5 independent municipalities: Distrito Nacional, Santo Domingo Este, Santo Domingo Oeste, Santo Domingo Norte and Boca Chica. Fortunately, nearly all tourist attractions and shopping, dining and entertainment venues are relatively close to each other in the Distrito Nacional, making it easy for you to get around and see the sights.

Santo Domingo is not entirely a tourist-friendly city. It's often hard to move around if you don't know the city, as many streets lack proper signage and addresses are often reliant on the neighborhood's name more than an actual street address. However, don't be afraid of asking the locals for orientation, as Dominicans are well known for their helpful nature and usually helpful to tourists. It's a good idea to get a street map (there are many city maps online but it's also possible to buy one at any gift shop or book store for no more than US$5).

By metro
Santo Domingo has two operating metro lines: one a north-south axis under the Maximo Gomez avenue, going from Villa Mella to the Centro de los Heroes and the Malecon, passing by the National Theater and the Santo Domingo Autonomous University (UASD), the second along Avenida John F. Kennedy. A single ride is RD$20 and there are ten ride packages for RD$185 and twenty ride packages for RD$360. Payment is by smartcard which costs RD$60 and has to be charged with a minimum of RD$20 when bought bringing the total minimum price to RD$80. Five more lines are planned. The metro is easily the fastest way to get to the places it serves and if your accommodation is close to a metro station, just remember the name of that metro station for orientation and reference. However, large parts of the city are not (yet) covered. The website has a bit more information.

On foot
Walking along major thoroughfares in Santo Domingo can prove quite challenging. First, drivers aren't very respectful of pedestrians, so you have to take extra care when trying to cross a street. Second, some sidewalks can be damaged or under construction, forcing you onto the street.

The Malecon and Colonial Zone are the most walkable parts of the city. They offer multiple pedestrian attractions and are relatively safe areas for tourists to explore. Although it is always wise to use common sense as everywhere.

While exploring the Colonial Zone try hiring a properly licensed tour guide. These talented yet underpaid, multilingual individuals will keep you entertained for hours with unprecedented historical insight and humor. You can usually find them at the Plaza Colon in front of the Cathedral. Most are worth every penny. On the other hand, some of them are known to take their customers to businesses that throw them a kickback, so it's up to you to decide whether you really like to act upon their advice on businesses or not.

By taxi
Unlike most major metropolitan areas, there are very few roaming taxis in Santo Domingo. Even if you see one, it is best not to take a chance, it can be dangerous. In most cases you have to call a dispatcher to have a taxi sent to your location. This isn't a problem and most businesses will gladly call a cab for you. Relatively expensive, usually US$4-15 per average trip and possibly more if you use one of the friendly cabs waiting in front of your nice hotel lobby. Again, depending on circumstances, you may find that hiring a cab driver for the day is a good bargain.

Santo Domingo is served by Uber, which locally allows passengers to pay by credit card through the app or by cash to the driver. Uber rides around the city are considerably less expensive than regular taxis and usually involve both newer and cleaner vehicles.

 * Also be sure to never get into stray cabs at night or cabs that aren't sent by a dispatcher, they are not the safest. Some cabs will put several passengers in at once, each paying a separate fare.

By rental car
All major US car rental firms are available at the airport, along with several local vendors offering everything from subcompacts to late model Hummers, Range Rovers and Land Cruisers. When renting from local vendors be sure to read the fine print regarding insurance coverage; you might think you're getting a great deal on a car, only to get into an accident and find out that your insurance coverage does not apply or that your deductible is as high as US$5,000.

Advice to potential renters: Gasoline costs RD$65/liter (Apr 2021) here and people drive fast and furious, breaking every imaginable rule. It might be safer and cheaper to develop a friendship with a cab driver who will gladly become your personal driver, tourguide and concierge for a day rate equal to a fraction of what it would cost you to rent, insure and gas up a rental.

By bus
Bus service in Santo Domingo is not very user-friendly and geared more towards locals getting to and from work. It is often impossible to know which bus goes where unless you ask the driver, as neither buses nor routes are clearly marked.

Bottom line: inexpensive (US$0.50-1.00 per ride) yet complicated. Avoid unless you are accompanied by a local.

By public car
You can identify a public car from a regular car because it will have a government seal on the windshield. Public cars usually go up and down a street. You can catch one by standing on the street and signaling if your going up the street or down. Public cars are also safe, except you will probably be riding along with at least 5 other people going the same way you are. Public cars are roughly RD$20-25.

By collective taxi
These collective taxis or “guaguas" as they are called by Dominicans, stick to a predetermined route (usually up and down a major avenue), picking up and dropping off passengers along the way - often cramming up to five passengers into a twenty year old Toyota Corolla. Very inexpensive, US$0.50 per trip, yet very uncomfortable. By the way, if you happen to be overweight don't be surprised if the driver charges you for two seats instead of one. Safety can sometimes be a concern, so it is best to take guaguas when traveling with locals.

They fit 7 people total, the driver, two in front passenger seat, and four in the back seat.

By Teleférico
Like other Latin American cities before it (most notably Medellín) Santo Domingo has an aerial tramway linking some of the poverty stricken outer neighborhoods in the hills to the town center. You're unlikely to have a reason to go where the Teleférico goes, but you might want to take a ride for the novelty value alone. The line has four stops and connects to Metro Line 2 at Eduardo Brito. Prices are the same as for the Metro.

See

Despite boasting a rich cultural, architectural and artistic heritage, Santo Domingo has not been exploited for all its tourist potential. You're pretty much on your own to discover this fascinating city. Make the most of your time there.

Museums
In the Colonial Zone:

In Plaza de la Cultura:
 * Museum of Natural History

Parks

There are many parks around the city of Santo Domingo. One of the most popular parks are called Los Miradores, which are located on various sections of the city. These parks are very cozy for a picnic, to bike ride, a quick jog, or a long walk to enjoy nature and relax with friends. They’re quite huge and can be a bit unsafe if wandered during the night, because it lacks street lights. Although Santo Domingo is surrounded by beautiful parks it does lack recreational facilities accessible to the public. Some of the parks that can be found:

Do
Santo Domingo is an excellent place to study Spanish off the beaten track and get immersed in the language.

Festivals
Two of the top festivities of the year occur in Santo Domingo. The annual Merengue Festival in the summer and Carnival in the spring.

Each of these is held on the city's main seaside main road, El Malecon, but tend to spill over into hotel ballrooms, beaches, patios and parking lots. This is a great way to immerse yourself in Dominican culture, and meet new interesting people from the city.

The Merengue Festival takes place between July 26 to 31. The festival is a celebration of Dominican Republic’s main dance, merengue. They invite the top merengue bands to perform free concerts to the crowd. The festival begins with a parade, but later becomes a concert.

There are art exhibitions, food fairs, and games that occur at the same time. The main activity that is done during the festival is dancing merengue, so be prepared to be spun uncontrollable when you decide to dance with a local.

The other amazing festival is the Carnival, which takes place during the entire month of February, but reaches its peak on February 27, the Dominican Independence Day. The Carnival also takes place in El Malecon, where masks, which symbolizes spiritual spirits;elaborate costumes,and intriguing dances parade down the streets while entertaining and sometimes scaring the crowd.

Buy
Most transactions in the Dominican Republic can be paid in cash and credit cards. Visa and MasterCard are widely accepted in most stores and restaurants.

The official currency of the Dominican Republic is the Dominican peso. However most merchants will accept dollars or euros. If you do choose to purchase goods or services in dollars or euros, be wary of the exchange rate. The official exchange rate in the Dominican Republic is set by the Banco Central de la Republica Dominicana and is updated daily.

Foreign currency exchange services are prominently available at major ports of entry or are nearby. Some of the most prominent foreign exchange dealers are:

Agente de Cambio Caribe Express and Agente de Cambio La Nacional Caribe Express offices and major banks which include: Banco de Reservas, Scotiabank, Banco Leon, and Banco Popular Dominicano.

Colonial Zone
The Colonial Zone offers plenty of shopping opportunities, especially if you are looking for Ambar and Larimar, the traditional stones of the DR. Don't forget to haggle, as all the shop owners adjust their prices for this purpose. You will also find a ton of Haitian art for sale everywhere at great prices. If that's your thing, great, just remember its not Dominican. The main boulevard in the Colonial Zone is El Conde, a pedestrian boulevard lined with all kinds of shops and eateries mostly aimed at the locals. Have fun shopping and people watching here.

If you are feeling adventurous, have a cab take you to the Mercado Modelo nearby. This indoor labyrinth of shops can be overwhelming for a new tourist but, don't worry, it is safe. Then again, you might feel safer asking the cab driver to escort you through the maze of shops and kiosks offering every imaginable kind of souvenir, jewelry, stone, artwork, etc.

Malls
If you want to experience American-style shopping there are plenty of options but here are the three most popular:

No haggling at the malls. This is an island where practically everything being sold is imported and taxed at 18% (ITBIS or Value Added Tax).

Eat
Santo Domingo offers a variety of cuisines from around the world from  Chinese, Italian and Mediterranean to Brazilian. You can also find the main fast food franchises like McDonald's, Burger King, Pizza Hut, Wendy’s, and Taco Bell.

Mid-grade and high-end restaurants can be quite costly for Third World standards, a dinner with an entrée, main course, drink and dessert can range from US$15-75 per person, plus 10% mandatory tip plus 16% ITBIS tax. Be careful and ask around as price doesn't always equal quality, especially in tourist areas.

Unless the contrary is specified menu prices don’t include the 10% service charge and 16% sales tax, so real prices are 26% higher than indicated in the menu.

Budget
If you want to spend less than US$8 on a decent meal and drink:

 * Visit a “comedor” or cafeteria.

Comedores offer a “Plato del Día” or predetermined meal of the day (usually rice, beans, salad and meat or chicken, and a soda) for US$3–8. Cafeterias and Comedores can be found everywhere around the city but specially around business areas and universities, this is where locals eat so is a great way of getting in touch with the culture. “Mimosa”, located on Padre Billini street in the Colonial Zone, offers a great variety of tasty local food during lunch hours. Another great option is Cafeteria "El Parque" which is in front of Eugenio Maria de Hostos Park attached to the "Clinica Abreu" one of the country's best and most prestigious clinic, close to the Colonial Zone and the Malecon, great place for breakfast, lunch and an early dinner.

 * Best sandwiches, juice and shakes in the Caribbean

"Barra Payán", 30 de marzo street (five minutes from the Colonial Zone), is open seven days a week, 24 hours a day. A sandwich cafeteria, the place has been a traditional eatery for more than a half century. Buy a sandwich and a delicious squeezed-to-order fruit juice or milkshake for less than US$5.

 * Chinese and "Pica Pollo"

At some point in history Dominicans became quite fond of fried chicken and Chinese food, combining both cuisines into fast food establishments known as "pica pollos". These are usually take-out joints run by first or second generation Chinese immigrants, serving up heaping portions of fried rice, plantain slices and tasty (and greasy) fried chicken, along with the usual variety of Chinese comfort food. Very inexpensive. Visit Santo Domingo's China Town, near the Mercado Modelo and not far from the Colonial Zone (Duarte Avenue), a very busy zone where working-class people do a lot of their shopping. If you feel adventurous enough to enter this usually chaotic but very picturesque part of the town it would an experience to remember. Keep in mind, pick-pockets love the crowded streets, watch your belongings closely.

 * Fast food

A McDonald's combo costs around US$5, Taco Bell, Wendy's and Pizza Hut around US$6. There are also several very good local franchises like Pizzarelli where you can have pasta, pizza or a salad for no more than RD$275 (Sept 2017), and others like Pollos Victorina. Also, don't miss some good Dominican "empanadas" at De Nosotros Empanadas. You can walk into a McDonald's in Santo Domingo and order a value meal with a Presidente beer instead of a Coke. How cool is that?

Mid-range
American and international midrange franchises include:
 * El Conuco Very touristy and rather affordable restaurant in Gazcue, where you can enjoy live traditional Dominican dances.
 * Lincoln Road On the Abraham Lincoln avenue.
 * Yokomo The Dominican sushi franchise. Enjoy the most unique and inventive Dominican-fusion sushi, such as sushi with sweet plantains.
 * Falafel In the colonial zone, a good and affordable Near Eastern restaurant specializing in, as the name suggests it, falafel.
 * Atras and Cinnamon in Plaza Orleans, two contiguous open-air restaurants. In this plaza you can order from any restaurant while sitting in the courtyard.
 * Buen Provecho Middle range restaurant serving different types of food, a good place to get the "Dominican Flag" of meat with rice and beans.
 * Red Grill A very trendy grill with several locations in the city. One is located in Plaza Orleans, another one has its own bar on top. Pricier, but not a splurge.
 * Chef Pepper Also very trendy, and it just opened a new branch in Bella Vista. If you're craving a hamburger or a steak and cheese sandwich, this is a good place to go.
 * L'Osteria A mid-range but very high quality Italian restaurant, facing the national theater.
 * Sapore d'Italia Another mid-range, very good Italian restaurant.
 * Sapore d'Italia Another mid-range, very good Italian restaurant.

Splurge
If you have to ask how much, you can't afford these places. The following are very tourist-friendly:

 * Pat'e Palo Colonial Spanish/Mediterranean brasserie style restaurant, situated by the "Plaza de Espana" overlooking the "Alcazar de Colon" frequented by locals
 * La Briciola Fancy Italian restaurant in a Colonial Garden
 * Mesón de la Cava An expensive average restaurant whose chief gimmick is being located within a natural cave underground.

The following are not very touristy, mostly being frequented by locals. However, if you want to explore how the wealthier classes dine in Santo Domingo, these are the places to go:

 * Pepperoni Grille Upscale, modern Italian.
 * Sofia's Mediterranean cuisine.
 * Any of the restaurants around Gustavo Mejia Ricart Avenue
 * Mesón de Bari One of the classiest restaurants for Dominican cuisine
 * Victoria by Porterhouse Steakhouse
 * La Marrana Very trendy Spanish restaurant
 * Jaleo a "Dominican fusion" bar/restaurants
 * Don Pepe Fancy Spanish restaurant, very pricey
 * Mitre Chic restaurant and wine bar
 * Tabu Bambu Asian Fusion

Drink
Santo Domingo has an amazing variety of night life options. Most bars and clubs must close by law at midnight from Sunday to Thursday and at two in the morning on Friday and Saturday. Therefore, it is not uncommon for people to start partying at 20:00 on the weekends. Happily, the regulation is suspended on holidays and the last two weeks of December for Christmas partying. Usually the clubs located inside major hotels are exempt from this rule, although they aren't usually much fun.

The Malecon is home to several options as well, depending on what's in style at the time.

Check out Jet Set on Monday nights for live Merengue and Bachata shows from the most popular top bands.

Head over to the upscale side of Santo Domingo (Naco, Piantini) if that is your scene. There are a ton of options there, including perennial favorites such as Trio Caffe, Praia and Montecristo. Those kind of places can have a rather strict admission policy, you usually have to look white enough and rich enough to be admitted.

In this upscale area of Santo Domingo, consider: This plaza has become one of the capital’s top weekend destinations with five very popular bar/clubs with Zambra- +1 809 683-7373, Shots +1 829-886-1208, and Taboo Bamboo +1 809-227-2727 all in the same plaza. This is a favorite spot for locals and especially visitors because it reminds them of the states. Because of its proximity you can bar hop until you find the one that fits you. Music ranging from rock, hip-hop and Latin. When in the plaza the drink to try is definitely Omega shot. Make sure you have a designated driver or number to a taxi.
 * Dock Very trendy bar at the Acropolis Center. Open air, electronic music.
 * El Barcito Very nice ambiance, mostly rock music. The owner is always present and very friendly.
 * Level 2 On the second flour of the Holiday Inn Hotel. Also check out the rooftop bar and pool!
 * Maruja New, trendy open air bar, close to La Marrana and Margo
 * Mix Right next to the Mix Restaurant, another popular bar.
 * Praia The fanciest club, in the Holiday Inn Hotel.
 * Shots Mostly rock music, very young crowd. Ave. Roberto Pastoriza.
 * Plaza Uris on Ave. Roberto Pastoriza
 * Plaza Uris on Ave. Roberto Pastoriza

If you are more into the bohemian scene check out the Colonial Zone for great bars and cafes, and for a vibrant gay nightlife scene. Here are some hints:

 * Bio. Modern eclectic music from regueaton to Latin rock, very young clientele. Famous for serving drinks from buckets. Calle Sanchez and Padre Billini
 * Bocanegra The trendiest place in the Colonial Zone
 * Casa de Teatro Enjoy live jazz and rock concerts, pretty bohemian.
 * El Beduino New hookah bar on a rooftop in the Colonial Zone.
 * El Sarten this is a vintage Latin bar frequented by a mature crowd of experienced dancers. Drop in if you want to see some serious merengue and salsa steps. Located on Calle Hostos #153, Zona Colonial +809-686-9621 – Open every night
 * Parada 77. Latin rock, Spanish songwriters some merengue and salsa, people in their mid thirties and forties.
 * S Bar. Mostly rock music, can enjoy some falafels too, you would love the owner Isaac. Calle Sanchez and Padre Billini
 * Segafredo. A franchise, lounge music, Italian food and good coffee.
 * Parada 77. Latin rock, Spanish songwriters some merengue and salsa, people in their mid thirties and forties.
 * S Bar. Mostly rock music, can enjoy some falafels too, you would love the owner Isaac. Calle Sanchez and Padre Billini
 * Segafredo. A franchise, lounge music, Italian food and good coffee.

Stay safe
Poverty, though not as bad as next door Haiti, is still rampant and it is best you take precautions. Do not flash obvious wealth in poorer or middle class sections of the city (lots of jewelry, expensive camera, big watches, etc.) Keep your bag away from the street when walking as it can be snatched by kids on mopeds and keep a firm grip on it. Keep your passport at your accommodation and in a safe (some maids can steal). If you are Caucasian or Asian (no matter how you are dressed), expect to have a lot of insincerely friendly people on the streets follow you and strike up conversation with you. They are only talking to you in order to get money from you. They inevitably steer the conversation towards money and are looking for handouts or, worse, 'protection money' to protect you from the more undesirable elements of society. Do not engage in a conversation with them in the first place, as they are very persistent and could even follow you until you relent. When walking on the side walk do not stand too close to the street. There are robbers on mo-peds/motorcycles that will pass by and yank your purse from you. Some men and maybe even women carry a gun on them; do not let this alarm you. You will see men in civilian clothes relaxing on their patio or on the streets playing dominoes, with a gun they could be security guards.

Walk confidently. Don't dress like a tourist. Be yourself but if yourself is flashing Gucci and Prada where ever you go, maybe you need to dress down a bit. If you get lost at any time ask a local person walking by for directions. They are always more than happy to help foreigners at everything. Do NOT follow anyone that offers to take you to your destination. They will usually expect some payment for their effort. Even worse, they could be setting you up.

Be careful when trying to get an Uber in a touristic area (such as the Zona Colonial and the Los Tres Ojos entrance). Often you will have people in uniforms, taxi drivers or even the Tourist Police coming to you and forcing you to take local run-down taxi instead. They might even follow you if you refuse. Be aware of your surroundings, do not appear like you are waiting for an Uber (e.g. by standing on the side of the street while checking your phone the whole time), and find a safe place to get an Uber (such as inside a chain restaurant or a supermarket).

Do not drink the tap water. It is not processed to be ingested by people. You can get sick. Bottled water is really cheap and sold every where. Ice is okay.

The National Police (Policía Nacional) and the Tourist Police (Policía Turística) are in charge of implementing the city safety. The national police station is at Av. Leopoldo Navarro #402, you can also contact +1 809-682-2151 for the central line, but in case of an emergency dial 911.

Embassies & consulates

 * 🇨🇦 Canada
 * 🇬🇷 Greece
 * 🇷🇴 Romania
 * 🇪🇸 Spain
 * 🇬🇧 United Kingdom
 * 🇺🇸 United States

title: Santo Domingo


text:
Santo Domingo (disambiguation)

There is more than one place called Name of place:

Dominican Republic

 * Santo Domingo - The capital and largest city of the Dominican Republic.

Venezuela

 * Santo Domingo (Venezuela) - A town in Merida.

license: Creative Commons - Attribution Share-Alike - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

title: Santo Domingo (disambiguation)


text:
Santo Domingo (Venezuela)

Santo Domingo is a city in Mérida (state), in the Venezuela Andean Mountains and belong to the region called Paramo in Spanish because of the cold wind and high altitude full of Frailejones.

Understand
Santo Domingo is one of several small Andean towns between Barinas and Mérida City. Although it is designed for tourists, it is more frequented by Venezuelan tourists than any others, making a lack of Spanish a little more difficult.

Get in
From the bus terminal in Mérida, there are mini buses that go to Barinas many times each day. There is no direct bus to Santo Domingo (it is too small) and There is another bus terminal in Barinas that should also accommodate travelers to Santo Domingo. There are also another way to get in from the bus terminal in Valera city of Trujillo State, in the same way the bus go to Barinas.

Get around
The town is very small, nothing is outside of walking distance. If needed, however, there are always many cabs lined up in the central plaza that are pretty cheap. There is no internet cafe, but towns that do have internet cafes are not far away if needed, like Pueblo llano about 30 min from Sto Domingo by minibus.

See
This region of Mérida has many ideal hiking spots. There is a office for guides in town that you can hire, or you can go off through the mountains by yourself.

 * Represa de Santo Domingo
 * Cascada Velo de la Novia- This is a waterfall near the town. Perhaps the main attraction to those visiting the town.  A bus will take you there on a 10 minute bus ride.  To walk there, it would be somewhere between one and two hours, that is not recommended because of the narrow of the road. No sidewalk to walk.
 * There is also a small church with a lookout point on top that you can access. It is the only viewpoint in town, so it should not be difficult to find by asking people (ask for the "mirador"). There is also a gazebo next to the church. This place is called Parque Mirador el Cerrito  where you can see that small Church with a modern architecture that represent all the world religions. It is called Monumento Montaña de la Fe  a monument to the mountain of faith.
 *  Mucubaji Lagoon
 *  La Victoria Lagoon

Eat
There are many restaurants in the city, from more expensive places to ones that look like a family that makes food in their kitchen for travelers.

 * Eliannet - A slightly more expensive restaurant, places range from US$6-10 on the unofficial exchange rate. However, the food is quite good.  A more modern style restaurant, with popular American music (something of a contrast given the setting).

Budget

 * Posada Los Gil A countryside small hostel 10 min from town
 * La Casa De Mis Viejos A walking distance from Plaza Bolivar.
 * Dios Mi Fortaleza, A small hostel with matrimonial rooms. Run by an incredibly nice couple, Carolina and Carlos, who are welcoming to travellers.  They cook food when you need it at a reasonable price.  They also make their own preservatives, including a local wine from blackberries and raspberries.

Mid-Range

 * hotel los frailes Hidden into the mountain at 3200 m high, ancient monastery with colonial style no far from town.
 * La Sierra, One of the higher end hotels in town, rooms include breakfast.
 * La Casa De Mis Abuelos,  A very clean place with a nice view, though the parrots shouting "bueno!" repeatedly at 06:00 was definitely a turn off.

Connect
Centro informacion turistica is the main tourist info office, close to the central plaza. If you are heading into town from Merida on avenida principal, go slightly past the turn for the main plaza and it will be on your left (there is a sign). They do not speak English in the office. You can contact also the OTC Puerta de los Andes. It is a community tour operator English and French spoken. Tel. +58-0274-8988138 and +58-0416-3767367. otcptadelosandes@gmail.com

Go next
There are two main options for leaving Santo Domingo. The first and the cheapest is to go into the main commercial street, next to a pink building that has a big sign "Hospedaje" and wait for a bus for Mérida to pass. Wave them down as they pass. Buses start passing around 06:00, and go throughout the day every hour or so. There is also a bus stop across from the local emergency room. If you go to Barinas the best way is to wait the bus at Plaza Bolivar, it is the last bus stop and the returning point for them, it is the only direct bus line Barinas-Santo Domingo, they scheduled every two hours, the last one at 17:00.

Also, you can take a taxi in the center plaza to Apartaderos where there is a proper bus terminal. From there you can buy a bus ticket to Mérida or Valera as well.

title: Santo Domingo (Venezuela)


text:
Santo Domingo de los Colorados

Santo Domingo de los Colorados is the main transportation hub between Quito and the coast in Ecuador.

Get in
There are several buses hourly to Quito (3 hour and about $2.50).

title: Santo Domingo de los Colorados


text:
Santorini

Santorini is an archipelago of 5 volcanic islands in the Cyclades group of the Greek islands in the southern Aegean Sea, about 200 km southeast of mainland Greece. It is located between Ios and Anafi islands. It used to be a single island, but was obliterated around 1600 BCE by an enormous volcanic explosion that destroyed the earliest settlements on the former island and created the current geological caldera.

The Santorini archipelago is famous for dramatic views, stunning sunsets from Oia town, the ancient city ruins of Thera and Akrotiri, unique wines, artists and craftsmen, an active volcano, and black or red volcanic pebble beaches.

Islands
There are 5 islands in the Santorini archipelago, by far the largest of which is Thira with an area of 73 km² and a population of about 15,500 inhabitants. The second largest and only other inhabited island in the archipelago is Thirasia with an area of 9 km² and less than 500 inhabitants. Nea Kameni in the centre of the caldera forms the current summit of the volcano, although it has been dormant since a last minor eruption in 1950. Palea Kameni and Aspronisi are likewise uninhabited, relatively small barren rocks in the Santorini caldera.

The Christiana Islands are sometimes counted as part of the Santorini archipelago, but actually are a completely separate group of islands about 20 km south west of Santorini, comprised of 3 small islands (Christiani, Eschati, and Askania) which have remained uninhabited since the late 19th century, although the largest of the islands does have archaeological evidence of a Neolithic settlement. They are privately owned, and there are no scheduled ferry services to or from the islands from the Santorini archipelago.

Understand
Santorini is an archipelago of islands in the Aegean Sea. The largest of the islands is Thira, which dominates the archipelago culturally and economically, and is sometimes referred to as Santorini itself. It used to be a single island, until a volcanic eruption around 1600 BCE tore it apart, and left a crater that filled with sea water.

The small islands cradle a rich variety of landscapes and villages. Visit traditional architecture in the small village of Mesa Gonia containing a mixture of ruins from the 1956 earthquake and restored villas as well as a winery at the foot of the settlement. Pyrgos is another notable village set inland with its grand old houses, remains of a Venetian castle and several Byzantine churches.

The island has no natural source of fresh water. Prior to the early 1990s, it was necessary for water to be delivered to the island via tanker from Crete. However, most hotels and homes now have access to water provided by a local desalination plant. While this water is potable, it is still rather salty, so most everyone drinks bottled water while visiting Santorini.

Fira is the fiery capital, a marriage of Venetian and Cycladic architecture, whose white cobblestone streets bustle with shops, tavernas, hotels and cafes, while clinging to the rim of the caldera 275 m (900 feet) above its port. If arriving by sea you can take a cable car up from the port or alternatively take a trip on one of the hundreds of mules up the 588 zigzagging steps. You could also attempt to walk up the steps but be warned, they are winding, narrow in parts with only low walls, they are covered in donkey excrement, and the donkeys will make no attempt to avoid you.

Walking along a path for about 20 minutes will bring you to Imerovigli where you can take in the magnificent views of the island's unique scenery from the tiny town, as it is the highest point of the Caldera cliffs.

Just above Fira is the quintessentially Santorininian town of Ia, also sometimes spelled Oia, with its whitewashed walls sunk into the volcanic rock and its blue domes rising above the sterling beauty of the stunning, russet Ammoudi Bay. At dusk, the town attracts crowds of people venturing to see the sunset. Santorini's sunsets, as viewed from Oia, are reputed to be among the world's most beautiful.

Due to the spectacular and unique natural beauty of Santorini, many Greek singers have chosen the island as the setting of their videos. Greek and Brazilian TV series have been shot of Santorini, as well as some Hollywood movies (e.g. Tomb Raider II). Generally Santorini is a pole of attraction for Greek and international celebrities. World-famous Greek composer Yanni wrote a song inspired by the beauty of the island, the song, also named "Santorini" is definitely worth checking out, specially the version performed live at the Acropolis with the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra.

Climate
The 'season' starts April 1, or around the Greek Easter. The period from December through March is very much the off-season and marked by cooler temperatures with occasional rain and winds. Although it is rare for the temperatures to get very low, the poor weather makes for a less than optimal experience on this beautiful island. Most businesses, including hotels and guest houses, are closed. Ideal times to visit, for milder weather, prices and crowds, are the shoulder seasons of April–June and September–October.

Choosing the right time to visit Santorini is extremely important. The best season to visit Santorini is spring, from early April to the end of May. During this period, wild flowers blossom and the otherwise barren islands turn into a colourful sea of wild flowers. In April and May, temperatures are pleasant and the chance of rain is low, which is ideal to hike from one town to the other, such as the famous Fira - Oia hiking trail. After May, temperatures soar with an extreme UV index: summers on Santorini are extremely hot. With very few trees to provide shade, the weather becomes too hot to do anything but stay inside the cooler cave houses. Public life slows down, restaurants and amenities close during the hottest hours of the day (noon - 15:00), and the beautiful spring flowers are scorched away with only dried out grasses left. From September, the weather becomes cooler again and more attractive for a visit, although the chance of rain also gradually increases towards the end of the year -- Santorini receives most of its annual precipitation during the winter months.

Local legend
There is a local legend that Santorini was once home to the Lost City of Atlantis (or the city it was based on), and that the city was in fact destroyed by the eruption that created the Santorini caldera. There is interesting historical evidence to support this claim but little conclusive proof.

Get in
The main options are ferries from Pireaus (standard ferryboats and high-speed catamarans) and flights from Athens.

Getting in from Athens by air is faster and you avoid possible sea sickness. However, in season air tickets sell out well before most of the ferries.

By plane
There are regular flights from Athens by Aegean Airlines, Sky Express, and Volotea, with a flight time of 30-45 minutes. Volotea also has a regular service from Thessaloniki.

From May till October many charter airlines fly directly to Santorini from many European airports. Listed below is commercial air service.

Getting there:

 * From the airport there are buses to Fira, €1.8 (Apr 2019), where you can change to buses for other towns.
 * Taxis are also usually waiting at the airport, but competition for them can be keen, €30 to Fira (2019).
 * Many Santorini hotels offer airport transfers, usually for a fee that's more than a taxi would charge you, but some may find it worth it for the convenience.
 * As the island is very small it's possible to walk from the airport, if you are fit enough (~5.5 km/90 min to the centre of Fira).

By boat

There are the standard ferryboats that need about 7–9 hours to reach Santorini from Piraeus and the fast ferries or high speed catamarans that take about 4–5 hours to reach the island. Check what you have bought: just because you have a reservation for a ferry, doesn't mean that you have a place to sit. Seats could be at extra cost.

Transport by sea is always dependent on weather. For safety, especially in winter or raining monsoon, cruise ships may delay or cancel landing shuttles, and ferries their departure times.

Take the ferry from Piraeus (port of Athens), past Paros and Naxos, to the new port on Thira. More details in the Cyclades article. There is also a daily connection from Heraklion (Crete) during high season.

Ferries dock at the, where buses meet each arrival to transport passengers to Fira (trip takes 15 min and costs €2.3); taxis are also available. All vehicles climb a very steep, winding road (it makes seven 180 degree turns) to get anywhere from Athinios.

Cruise ships that call at the island are often unable to dock at Athinios port due to size constraints, but instead anchor 3 km north in the caldera, west of Fira. Locals with fishing boats occasionally transfer cruisers to the (which seems not to have changed over the last 50 years), and larger, decorated shuttle boats take large-ship passengers to and from the docks below Fira.

By bus
The public bus service, KTEL Santorini connects all points of the island with Fira, costing one way (February 2024), depending on the route. This is probably the only cheap thing you'll find on the island considering the buses are comfy and air conditioned!

The in Fira is the hub for the bus network, and almost all the lines "branch out" from this hub. This means, if you wish to go from one side of the island to another, you need to transfer at Fira and pay for the second leg of your journey. There are no route numbers and not all buses display their routes; ask the drivers or the ticket office for the bus number that would take you to your destination.

The bus routes are:
 * Oia (via Imerovigli & Firostefani)
 * Perissa (via Pyrgos)
 * Airport (via Karterados, Megaria). Some buses also continue to Monolithos.
 * Kamari
 * Akrotiri museum (via Megalochori & Akrotiri village)
 * Ferry terminal

Schedules highly vary depending on the season, with low season services ending by 19:00 (even already until 15:00 weekends on all routes except Oia) and most buses running only every 90 minutes. During peak season, buses run up to every 15 minutes from/to popular spots such as Oia, Kamari, and Perissa, with services ending until midnight. The most recent timetables are obtainable at the KTEL website.

There are also buses that travel to the ferry port, however their schedules are normally handwritten and displayed only at the Fira bus stop the day before, as ferry departure times are different every day; conversely there are always public buses standing by at the port upon the arrival of each ferry.

The buses occasionally miss trips, and some drivers are less than friendly. In peak season the buses would have already fill up at their starting points and will skip intermediate stops, so keep this in mind when considering where to stay. Tickets can be purchased on the bus, with cash only — so bring some coins. The buses are tourist coaches with luggage compartments for large backpacks or cases. When the bus is full however, you have to stand up at the corridor and it will be difficult to get off at an intermediate stop.

By boat
Boats run between major coastal towns in the archipelago, notably between Fira, Nea Kameni, Palea Kameni, and the old port of Thirassia. Tickets can be purchased at ticket offices in most of the ports. The ticket will list the port of departure, port of arrival, and the number of the vessel instead of its name. The vessel number is always printed on the lifeboats, when in doubt. A single journey between Fira and Thirassia starts at (Apr 2O22). It's also possible to book a 6-hour "tour" around the caldera, which costs per person.

Larger boats have a bar where drinks and snacks can be purchased.

By car
Cars can be rented from about €40 a day during high season and from €20 during off season. An international driving permit is recommended. Without one, many car rental places will rent cars, but travel guides have mentioned tourists having insurance problems in case of accident. Scooters and 4-wheelers (quads or all-terrain-vehicles) are available to rent starting at about €15 or €30 per day, respectively. A drivers license is required to rent these 4-wheelers. Most of the people in Santorini are tourists, so road conditions are extremely unsafe, with many people driving by the laws and conventions of nearly every country in the world. It takes about an hour to drive the island from end to end (from Exomytis to Oia).

A popular method of getting around is to rent ATVs, though the "all-terrain" part is a misnomer, as most ATV riders are tourists riding on the paved road. ATVs share the road with other drivers and are usually all over the island. The island is small enough to travel around on an ATV, and is a cost-effective way to self-explore the further reaches of Santorini. ATV rental shops are all around the island, so it's best to ask your hotel owner/concierge on the closest/most trusted vendor. You will need your local driver's licence to ride one of these, and a helmet is recommended.

Some hotels advise booking a taxi in advance, as there are not enough available taxis on the island during high season. As is the rule in the Cyclades, taxi fares are typically shared between multiple passengers, so don't be surprised if your cabbie picks up more passengers during your trip.

By bicycle
The island is small enough that it can be thoroughly explored by bicycle. Bicycle rentals are fairly hard to find—most places advertising bike rentals refer to motorbikes, rather than bicycles. E-bikes can be rented at in Exomytis.

Santorini is not at all bicycle-friendly — there are no dedicated bicycle routes, so you must share roads with vehicular traffic. In addition, the island is very hilly with a few steep mountains as well. Maps are generally intended for hikers, and the recommended routes are impassable by bicycle.

By foot
Recommended routes by foot include the amazing walk from Fira to Oia (this walk is less nice in reverse, it can take less than three hours but can be difficult, for up and downhill climbs, the rocky surface at times, and the proximity to unprotected cliffs that drop sharply into the caldera) along the caldera, and the paths over Perissa Rock connecting Perissa, Kamari, and Pyrgos. The walk between Perissa and Kamari is fairly short (via Ancient Thira), while the walk to Pyrgos is somewhat longer, passing through the highest point on the island. In Santorini, you shall find pathways paved mostly with cobblestones and steps at the cliffside, so it is not the best place for heels or non-comfortable shoes. A pair of sneakers or comfy walking shoes will be ideal during your day or evening strolls around the island.

See
For an archipelago its size, Santorini has an incredible wealth of attractions to offer a curious traveller. From fascinating museums to Bronze Age city ruins or black sand beaches, Santorini has attractions that make a visit worthwhile in every season.

Nature
Santorini is one of the great natural wonders of the world, and its main attraction is its landscape and seascape. The configuration of the present, roughly semicircular archipelago is the result of an enormous volcanic explosion which occurred probably around 1600 BCE, literally blowing the top off the island and changing what had been a typical half-submerged mountain of an Aegean island into a flooded crescent caldera. Some have speculated that this event was the inspiration for the myth of Atlantis.

In the middle of the caldera is the volcanic island of Nea Kameni, which can be visited by a 20-minute ferry trip from Thira and allows adventurers to climb the slopes to peek into the smoking crater. Steam and sulphur vents can be observed along the way — from a safe distance, of course! Volcanic cones also survive on Thira itself, with Mavro Vouno and Kokkino Vouno climable with hiking trails from Finikia. The steep cliffs of the caldera are a magnificent sight best enjoyed from a ship in the caldera. A climb up the cliff face is possible at Fira where the Karavolades stairs lead into the caldera.

Erosion of the volcanic cliffs leads to surprising geological formations such as Fira's Skaros Rock, which towers high above the water and is host to the ruins of a fort. The Heart of Santorini near Megalochori is another geological formation that has become a popular spot for photographers. The cliffs also form countless bays of all shapes and sizes that used to be hide-outs for pirates, but in more modern times are beloved spots for watching Santorini's famed sunsets. The most idyllic is without a doubt Amoudi Bay in Oia, which also serves as a port from which ferries depart to Therasia, Santorini's second inhabited island that is worth a day trip of its own.

Archaeology
Santorini has been known since ancient times, and throughout the millennia has been inhabited by many civilisations. The south of Thira is home to two ancient cities, dating from different eras.

The oldest and scientifically most valuable is Ancient Akrotiri, a Bronze Age city built by the Minoans, who are best known from their heritage on Crete. When the volcano erupted and obliterated Santorini around 1600 BCE, the Minoan city was buried under volcanic pumice and ash — much like Pompeii — and incredibly well preserved. The entire city is covered with a giant canopy, so it can be comfortably visited even during the hot summer months.

The Phoenicians founded their own city on the island that was known to them as Kalliste, and promptly renamed it after their leader Theras. Thus, the island became known as Thera in ancient times, from which the modern name Thira was derived. The city of Ancient Thera survived for centuries and was known to be prosperous, as evidenced by gold coins and many archaeological artefacts that have been found during excavations. The ruins sit on Gavrilos Hill between Kamari and Perissa, and a visit is worth it for the view as well as for the history of the site.

The frequent seismic and volcanic activity in the archipelago unfortunately leaves few structures intact over geological time scales, but one remarkable exception is the Temple of Agios Nikolaos Marmaritis, a marble temple near Emporio that dates to the 3rd century. The square temple is only 4 m long and wide, and is still in use for liturgical purposes today.

The Santorini archipelago was conquered by the Venetians in 1207, and 5 fortified castles were constructed from the 13th century onward to protect the island from invaders, most notably the Ottomans with whom the Venetians were perpetually at war from 1396 until 1718. The largest of the castles is La Ponta in Akrotiri and the newest and best preserved is Pyrgos Castle, but if you have limited time, you might want to prioritise a visit to the 15th-century Castle of Emporio, which still forms the centre of present day Emporio. The medieval castle boasts narrow streets and picturesque churches, with many fewer gift shops than in Fira or Oia.

Those interested in the history of Santorini benefit from getting a 3-day ticket upon arrival on the island, which costs and grants access to the archaeological site of Akrotiri, the archaeological site of Ancient Thera, and the Museum of Prehistoric Thera at a reduced price.

Museums
When the weather isn't as sunny as the travel brochures promise, there are quite a few alternatives indoor. All museums on the archipelago are on Thira, most in the unofficial capital Fira. Confusingly, Fira has two different history museums: the Museum of Prehistoric Thera, which tells the story of the ancient Bronze Age settlement at Akrotiri, and the Archaeological Museum of Thera, that has a collection of pottery, amphora, and figures from the beginning of the Proto-Cycladic period of the 3rd millennium BC and continues on to the Classical period. There are also museums about naval history, tomatoes, wine, ethnography and several other subjects; see the Fira article for more information.

Architecture
Although the volcanic pumice quarries were decommissioned in the 1980s, the architectural style of square dwellings with white painted facades is still used consistently. The iconic blue roofs are not as common as one would think; they appear just about every postcard but in reality only a handful of churches actually have the blue roofs — all postcards use pictures of the same few buildings, but photographed from different angles!

Pumice is a natural insulating material because it is filled with little gas bubbles, and historically many houses were either partially built into the mountain side to take advantage of the insulation, or were built with underground cellars. The strategy is effective to keep heat out in summer, and keep houses warm in winter.

As iconic as the white walls and blue roofs are the windmills, which can be found all over the islands. There are two in Oia, and a few east of Finikia as well as south of the island near Emporio. Windmills in the same style can be found on many nearby Cyclades islands, but somehow they have stuck with Santorini's image. The windmill of Oia is the most photographed structure of Santorini.

At the other end of Thira, at cape Akrotiri, the Faros lighthouse is a popular place to watch the sunset, and far less crowded with tourists. The lighthouse is still in active operation by the Greek Navy.

There appear to be a nearly endless number of churches on Santorini, along with several monasteries. Even Palea Kameni, one of the smallest islands in the archipelago, doesn't have any infrastructure or buildings except for... a church! Most of the churches are Greek Orthodox. Their bells, usually in groups of odd numbers such as 3 or 5, are typically mounted in a stepped wall. The Three Bells of Fira became particularly popular for no apparent reason, as there are many churches on Thira that have a similar bell configuration. The picture perfect location on the ridge of the caldera may have something to do with it. Fira is also home to not only one, but two cathedrals, both of which are Christian but with different flavours: the Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist is Roman Catholic and was founded in 1204. Its bell tower is a landmark of the city and worth a visit. The Orthodox Metropolitan Cathedral was built in 1827 when Roman Catholicism fell out of favour. It has a large courtyard and beautifully decorated interior.

The Profeta Elías Monastery near Pyrgos is on the highest hill of Thira. It is rarely open to visitors, but the magnificent view from the top of the hill makes the climb worth it. It is on the hiking trail from Fira to Kamari. Not too far away is the Panaghia Episcopi, a church commissioned by the Byzantine Emperor Alexios I Komnenos at the end of the 11th century. The interior is worth seeing for its interesting architecture as well as its numerous frescoes. The honour of most spectacular church on the Thira arguably goes to Timiou Stafrou, a very traditional Greek Orthodox church in Perissa, one of the largest on in Santorini, with characteristic blue domes. It is right next to the beach, offering opportunities for idyllic pictures.

Do
Santorini's breathtaking volcanic landscape, with steep cliffs and smouldering craters, is what draws the adventurous traveller to the archipelago. It does not have water parks, theme parks, or zoos, but when strolling through narrow streets in authentic villages such as Pyrgos or Oia gets monotonous, there are ample opportunities for hiking and water activities on Santorini.

Hiking
There aren't as many dedicated footpaths as one might expect, and cycling or mountain biking infrastructure is absent entirely. That said, there are several hiking trails on Thira illustrating that quality is more important than quantity in this case. The best example is the famous Fira to Oia trail with a length of ca. 13 km that follows the crater ridge, and offers spectacular views of the caldera along the way. The route from Fira to Oia is uphill, with a climb of over 300 m, so the reverse direction is considered a bit easier. At a moderate walking pace, the hike takes about 3 hours. From Oia it is easy to take a ferry to the neighbouring islands Nea Kameni or Thirasia, which offer good hiking opportunities. The volcano craters of Nea Kameni in particular are worth seeing. There is no infrastructure on Nea Kameni however, so make sure to bring loads of water, good hiking shoes for uneven volcanic rocks, and plenty of factor 50 sun cream. Instead of taking the ferry, a connecting hiking trail from Oia branches off at Finikia for the Finikia to Cape Koloumpos trail. This 5 km long route passes through Finikia, and continues around the volcanic cones through vineyards, passing caves and a Minoan cistern along the way.

In the southern half of Thira, the most scenic route is the Pyrgos to Kamari trail, starting just south of Pyrgos and passing the highest point of the island at Profitis Ilias monastery. The descent passes the Zoodochos Pigis cave on the southern flank of the hill before reaching Kamari. From Kamari, the trail continues over the hill and passes the archaeological site of Ancient Thera, which is best visited in the morning. Descending the other side of the hill leads into Perissa. For those preferring an easier route with less climbing, the Perissa to Agios Georgios trail starts at the Basilica ruins of Perissa and follows the beach for 3 km. Continuing the walk to Exomytis is also possible, for a total length of 5 km, and it passes the necropolis of Ancient Eleusis on the way.

Beaches
Owing to Santorini's volcanic legacy, the island coast lines along the caldera edge are typically steep cliffs where there are no beaches. Instead, beaches on Santorini are on the exterior of the semi-circular archipelago, most of them on Thira. A young archipelago on geological time scales, the sea hasn't had the time yet to erode the volcanic rocks fine sand, and therefore you won't find sandy beaches on the Santorini archipelago. Instead, beaches are generally composed of pebbles of varying sizes, and proper footwear is required to traverse them comfortably. A unique feature of beaches on Thira is that eroding cliffs on different locations on the island have greatly varying colours, resulting in beaches that are equally colourful. The most common beach colours are black, white, and red. Some of the most interesting beaches are listed below.

 * Kamari Beach, a black sand beach in Kamari, continues south in Perissa.
 * Red Beach south of Akrotiri. Reachable by bus from Fira and then climbing over the very rocky trails to get here (though there are water taxis and various schooners that make their way here as well). Red Beach earns its name from the iron-rich sedimentary rocks in the cliff face towering above the water, as well as the red sand. It's quite crowded. The first few meters of the water near the shore are quite gravelly, so be prepared to step on some stones. Women are frequently topless. Many distant yachts can be seen from the beach—it looks really romantic at sunset time. Great snorkelling - an abundance of sea life is present, as with Perissa. The tavernas built into the caves on Red Beach seem to have no electricity or running water, so if you eat or use the washrooms there, bring along hand sanitizer!
 * White Beach can be reached only from the sea; get there by boat from Red Beach or Akrotiri. There is no pier so the only way to get there is by getting off the boat and walking through waist-deep water. It is beautiful, but very small with only a few beach chairs and umbrellas and no facilities. Boat from Akrotiri stops at Red, White and Black beaches, about every 10-20 minutes, for a round trip, travellers may get off the boat, visit the beaches and get back on in a later boat.
 * Vlychada nude beach is popular with naturists.
 * Perissa — Perivolos — Agios Georgios beach is a continuous beach with varying colours and sand/pebble sizes stretching from Perissa to Agios Georgios with a length of 3 km. It has beach bars and restaurants that makes it feel like a "beach day club".
 * Baxedes beach is the main beach at the north side of Thira island. Baxedes is a peaceful place with black sand, much more like how Santorini was like before mass tourism discovered the island.

Culture
The oldest theatre on the archipelago is Fira's White Door Theatre, which plays local and Greek comedies. In the summer months, the Open Air Cinema near Kamari also offers a unique experience.

Scuba and snorkelling
Santorini has 5 dive shops. Prices are typically around €80 for two dives, including equipment rental, transport, and usually, a light lunch. The offerings are otherwise quite similar. Prices are sometimes lower when booked directly through dive shop, rather than through a travel agency. Try the Mediterranean Dive Club. Their dive station is on Caldera Beach near Akrotiri, but they also have an office on Perissa Beach. There are also two dive shops in Kamari: Navy's Waterworld Dive Center.

Diving, visibility is amazing, but there are not as many fish as more popular scuba and snorkelling locations. Dive sites include a wreck near the volcano, caverns, reefs, as well as wall diving. The wall dive is the most interesting. Octopus are not uncommon. To minimize environmental damage, all five dive shops go to the same locations (although not at the same time), with moorings shared by all the dive shops. If you want to go to a specific dive site, call ahead, and find out which dive shops are heading to which locations on which day (or ask to go to a specific location).

Recommended sites for snorkelling include Mesa Pigadia beach, somewhat out (some people recommended a diving buoy for boat safety), the beach south of Oia, as well as Perissa Rock (esp. somewhat further around the rock). There are supposed to be some nice spots between Perivolos and Vlichada Beach as well. The beach on Thirasia also has some reasonable snorkelling. Caldera Beach, near Akrotiri, has a few amazing snorkelling spots. When walking down to Caldera Beach (follow the signs to Santorini Dive Center), you will see some rock formations further out into the water. If you can find those once in the water, and swim to them, you will find wonderful snorkelling.

Virtually all beach-side shops will sell cheap, low-quality snorkelling gear (mask for around €10, fins for around €20).

Buy
There is generally at least one supermarket in the villages where the locals also shop, for example Lidl near Mesaria and Sklavenitis in Fira, Mesaria, & Perissa. Otherwise there are plenty of mini markets, which are convenience stores that can be found near town centres and on secondary and tertiary roads. Expect prices here however to be inflated by at least 25%.

 * Santoríni is one of Greece's most prominent wine regions, whose wines enjoy special designation of origin status from the European Union. The method of growing grapes (with vines close to the earth and individual vines spaced far apart from each other) is unique to the island, with its dry soil and windy climate. Wineries open to the public are located throughout the island.
 * Buy Santorini wines on Iama Wine Store in Oia. Very nice shop with all Santorini wines and over 350 labels of other Greek and international wines.
 * Bottled water is essential since tap water on Santorini is not potable.

Specialities
Santorini's volcanic soil, dry climate, and near absence of tree coverage has had its impact on the island's agriculture. It forced the cultivation of carefully selected variants of fruits and vegetables. Since the 1980s, several factors have contributed to the decline of the archipelago's agricultural diversity. The introduction of desalination plants has largely resolved the traditional water scarcity, which enabled cultivation of fruits and vegetables with higher yield that are not traditionally native to Santorini. The growth in tourism has also led to farmland being sacrificed to build hotels, villas, and other tourist accommodation. And finally, the popularity of Santorini wines abroad has caused a shift from traditional crops to a near-monoculture of vineyards across the island since the early 2000s.

The result is that many Santorini specialities that used to be served in many restaurants on the archipelago, have now become extremely rare or extinct. The most infamous example is Santorini's white aubergine. White aubergines have fewer seeds than their mainland counterparts and a much sweeter taste. Dishes with white aubergines have a unique flavour, but in the 2020s they have become an increasingly rare product, only served in the most exclusive restaurants. Krinak in Finikia is one of the only restaurants still serving white aubergine puree.

Another famous Santorini speciality are tomato keftedes. These tomato fritters traditionally use Santorini's sweet cherry tomatoes and are served as appetisers or condiments, and consist of tomato slices in a batter of bell peppers, onions, mint, and aromatic herbs, deep fried in olive oil.

Fava is possibly the most popular Santorini speciality. It is a split-pea puree, usually served warm, that is topped with olive oil, lemon, and occasionally chopped onions. Onions are sometimes substituted for capers which are another traditional favourite on Santorini. Fava is considered a healthy comfort food by the locals, and it is served as a side dish or as a main dish with bread. It is sometimes also served with chlorotyri, a local cheese made form goat milk that is used in salads or spread on bread.

As a resource-constrained island, livestock other than goats and donkeys is uncommon on Santorini, and meat dishes are not part of the traditional diet. One notable exception is apochti: pork loin salted and pickled before being air-dried in the heat of the summer sun. After drying, a mix of pepper and cinnamon is rubbed on the meat, and then cured. Apochti are used in different recipes, often accompanied with red wine. Nowadays meats are imported from the mainland to satisfy tourist expectations, and both souvlaki and gyros can be found in every tourist town.

Sea food is very popular, in particular grilled octopus and deep fried fish. Many traditional sea food restaurants along the coast have disappeared and converted into generic "Greek" tourist restaurants. Traditional restaurants can still be found in Vlychada, such as the Fisherman's House in the harbour, where fresh fish is served while watching small fishing vessels enter and leave the marina. Asking for the catch of the day is always a good idea!

For dessert, baklava can be found everywhere. Kopania are traditional Santorini sweets made of powdered barley rusks and mixed with raisins, sesame seeds, or other nuts. The dough is rolled in balls and sprinkled with roasted sesame seeds. Kopania can be found in traditional bakeries. Around Orthodox Easter, towards the end of April, a traditional sweet cheese pie called melitinia can also be found in bakeries. It is prepared in a wood-fired oven, using fresh mizithra cheese, sugar, and mastic powder.

Where to eat
The archipelago doesn't have many large supermarkets, but there are many smaller shops and convenience stores where food can be purchased to take away. Bakeries can be found in every town or village, and serve bread as well as a variety of pastries such as the traditional saganaki (fried cheese in filo pastry covered in honey) or spanakopita (spinach pie). These are good hearty options when hiking across the island.

There is no lack of restaurants either, although the ones serving authentic Santorini cuisine are in decline, usually morphed into generic Greek restaurants aimed at a tourist clientele. The most extreme example is probably Oia, where Greek fast food at elevated prices is the norm in almost every restaurant. As a rule of thumb, look at the menu displayed outside: if the menu has moussaka but not fava, you're probably better off looking elsewhere.

Many restaurants overlooking the caldera in Oia, Imerovigli, Fira, Megalochori or Akrotiri will charge a premium for the view, especially those advertising "sunset views". Expect prices that are at least 30-50% higher than what is charged for comparable food in side streets a bit further away from the caldera. Stay away from places that are overtly commercial and instead visit family-run fish taverns that are near the smaller beaches and communities.

If you want to learn how to make Cycladic cuisine, Kokkalo in Fira offers cooking courses.

Wineries
Tour local wineries and enjoy the local wines, well thought of, if not world famous. The island is famous for the Assyrtiko grape, which is grown as a shrub rather than a vine, and is visible in vineyards across the island. A combination of climatic factors and the tastes of those who have occupied and lived on the island have formed an eclectic cuisine.

 * Roussos winery: Mesa Gonia near Kamari
 * Boutari winery: Megalochori
 * Hatzidakis winery: Pyrgos
 * Roussos winery: Mesa Gonia near Kamari
 * Boutari winery: Megalochori
 * Hatzidakis winery: Pyrgos

Sleep
Santorini island could be divided into two sides. Santorini mainly owes its popularity to the western side. This is where the caldera is, and the villages, like Fira and Oia, that are built on the cliff. On this side, most hotels have terrific views of the caldera, volcano, the sea and sunsets. There is of course a drawback that you have to keep in mind before making your reservation: most of the hotels built on the caldera have many stairs. Some of the hotels do not accept children under 13, because they do not offer any children's facilities, due to their dangerous location on the cliff. There are hotels that are specially oriented to couples and honeymooners. Most of Santorini luxury resorts can be found on the western side of the island. Note that not all hotels which are on the western side of the island offer views, as some of them are in town.

The eastern side of Santorini resembles the rest of the Greek islands in the Cyclades. There are many beach hotels, especially in Kamari, that also attract a lot of tourists, mainly youngsters and families. These hotels usually offer larger rooms and pools than those on the other side of the island.

Keep in mind that the room rates are often set according to the view of the room, which makes the hotels on eastern side much cheaper than those on the western side.

Booking your accommodation in advance would be very helpful, as most hotels have no more than 20 rooms.

Most of the island's hotels are closed during winter. They open during or after Greek Orthodox Easter (April or May) and usually close by the end of October. As in other Greek Islands, July, August and September are considered high season.

Stay healthy
Because the island receives so little rain, and has no rivers or lakes, fresh water is scarce. Most of the tap water on Santorini comes from 2 large and a few smaller desalination plants scattered across the island. This desalinated tap water is not safe to drink. Bottled water is widely available in supermarkets and its price is regulated, which means it's relatively cheap at for a 6-pack of 1.5L bottles. Dehydration is, together with sunburns, the most common health issue encountered on Santorini.

There are no hospitals on Santorini, but there is a clinic in Fira that is reasonably well equipped. Their phone number is. Smaller clinics can be found in Emporio, Kamari, Oia, Pirgos, and Thirassia. For serious medical attention or emergencies, you are likely to be airlifted to Athens. Let this be your reminder to get travel insurance!

The UV index on Santorini is 9 or 10 throughout the year which is considered extreme. SPF 50 sunscreen is an absolute necessity, even under T-shirts! Avoid going out into the sun during the hottest hours of the day (12:00 - 15:00). Don't be deceived by the cool sea breeze that lowers the temperature, the sun burns regardless.

Compared to mainland Greece, there are no dangerous fauna to be concerned about on Santorini. The 2 species of snakes on the island, the leopard snake (Zamenis situla) and cat snake (Telescopus fallax), are completely harmless to humans. There are also 2 species of scorpions which have the tendency to hide in cracks in stone walls, but are likewise harmless. The only significant health hazard are drunk tourists, who can be found in abundance in the touristic areas of major towns between midnight and the early morning hours.

Stay safe
Be aware of rental scams, especially with agencies working only with motorbikes and ATVs. Using these types of vehicles is very common on Santorini and there are a lot of rental agencies. Some of them are ready to cheat. They will offer faulty motorbikes or ATVs for a lower price, but in case of accident they will demand that the customer pay for the whole cost of damage. They are offering only basic insurance but will present it like full insurance. Also, there is a big possibility of serious injuries.

It is possible to recognize these rental agencies by observing them aggressively attracting tourists and offering lower prices than others. Employees in front of these type of agencies will be loud and ready to promise everything until the contract is signed. It is necessary to check the vehicle before making any decision. Their vehicles are in most of the cases dusty, dirty and look old.

Santorini is relatively crime-free: you are quite unlikely to be pick-pocketed. On the other hand, you may feel you have been ripped off by some restaurant or bar bills. Remember not to shop at stores or order at restaurants without posted prices.

Physically the cliffs and low walls guarding large drops pose a danger to children while the elderly may encounter problems with the many steps. Cave exploring can be fun, too, but it is not recommended to deviate from the paths because of the unstable rocks made of tufa.

Connect
There are some local radio stations in Santorini, mainly in Greek language. Turn your radio to Volcano Radio at 106.4 MHz and Top Melody Fm Radio at 104.9 MHz.

Internet
Free Wifi is available in most cafes, beach bars, and hotels. You can find internet cafes in Kamari, Perissa, Fira (wireless access also available) and in Oia.

There is a booth selling prepaid SIM cards in the Arrivals hall of the airport, for durations of 3, 7, or 10 days. The default package is for a data volume of 8 GB for 7 days. Although there is supposedly 5G, wireless routers do not connect with prepaid SIM cards (as of 2022) and only offer 2G (EDGE) connection without data. It is recommended to try the SIM card in your wireless device before purchasing to verify that it works properly.

There is only cellular coverage on Thira and Therassia. Santorini, being part of Greece, offers EU roaming free of charge to visitors with an EU SIM card.

Go next
Ferries are available to Anafi, Chalki, Folegandros, Heraklion (Crete), Ios, Karpathos, Kasos, Katapola, Kos, Koufonissi, Milos, Mykonos, Naxos, Paros, Piraeus, Rafina, Rhodes, Serifos, Sifnos, Sikinos, Sitia, Syros, Thirasia, and Tinos.

title: Santorini


text:
Santos

Santos is a city in the south of the state of São Paulo, Brazil. Santos is the core city of Baixada Santista, a coastal metropolitan area, and contains the most important port in South America. Santos is a city of 434,000 people (2020) known for its historical center, the Santos FC football team (team of the legendary Pelé), and its beaches (reputedly, not the cleanest).

Understand
Santos was founded in 1546, partially on the island of São Vicente which harbors both the city of Santos and the city of São Vicente, and partially on the mainland. It is the main city in Paulista Coast. As of 2015, its population was estimated at 433,966. Santos has the biggest seaport in Latin America; is a significant tourist center; has large industrial complexes and shipping centers, which handle a large portion of the world's coffee exports; as well as a number of other Brazilian exports including oranges, bananas and cotton. The city also displays the Coffee Museum, where, once, coffee prices were negotiated; and a football memorial, dedicated to the city's greatest players, amongst which is Pelé. Its beach's garden, 5.3 km long, figures in the Guinness Book of Records as the largest beachfront garden.

There is a tourist information on the beach garden in the center of the beach. It is the building with Mondrian walls at the big "i"-sign, The staff speaks excellent English and are very helpful.

From São Paulo
There is also a direct service from terminal 1. The Bus is Cometta and costs around US$12, arriving into Santos in 2 hr 20 min.
 * By air - Arriving the airports in São Paulo (Congonhas / ) or (Guarulhos / ), packtours can arrange convenient TAXI service to Santos, it may take slightly more than one hour to go. There are also about 8 bus service a day from Guarulhos.
 * By bus - Take a taxi or the subway to Jabaquara Bus Station. There you can take a bus directly to Santos. Estimated travel time: 1 hour 20 minutes. Buses leave every 15 minutes 24 hours a day. More information: 011 50113421. The bus stops at the Centro Rodoviário and them some go on to São Vicente (Santos' twin city), some to Gonzaga (beach) and some to Ponta da Praia (on the channel, handy for taking a boat on to Guarujá). You can get off at many other stops on the bus way on, but only if you do not have luggage in the luggage trunk of the bus.
 * By car - From São Paulo, take either rodovia Padre Anchieta ("Anchieta", SP-160) or rodovia dos Imigrantes ("Imigrantes", SP-160). Both roads have a "planalto" (plateau) section and a "serra" (mountain) section that goes down the Serra do Mar to the sea level. Anchieta being older, its mountain section is winding and narrow, while Imigrantes' is wider and mostly straight due to extensive use of tunnels and bridges. Both roads are linked through a high and a low interlink. Trucks and busses are prohibited in the mountain section of Imigrantes, and are forced to take the interlink and use Anchieta. Both roads feature a toll of about R$ 20,00 that you pay only in one direction (when leaving São Paulo). Traffic is frequently deviated from one road to the other for traffic regulation purposes or road works, so you should follow the dynamic signs.

By taxi
A good way to move around to not-so-close places. Otherwise regular taxis are not very expensive and drivers are mostly friendly, although small cheats are not uncommon. To avoid it, after getting into a taxi, check if the taximeter has been started. If not, ask the taxi driver to do so.

Uber is also available.

By bus
Buses are a cheap and nice way to get around by day, although by night they become more scarce. The fare is paid either with tickets, which can be bought at most bus stops, or in cash to the driver or conductor, passing through a turnstile. Keep an eye out for pickpockets when the bus is crowded. Many people board the bus while still wet from the sea, so have a good look if your seat is dry before you sit. The easiest for you is to simply use Moovit, Google Maps and Bus Schedule in this city to find your bus connection. For Moovit you need to select the metro area "Santos e Região".

By bicycle
Bicycles are by far the best way to move around the town, there are many places where you can rent one. It's not allowed to ride on most of the beaches during the day. There are some "ciclovias" (bikelanes), specially a well-signed one in front of the beach. Better safe than sorry: buy a padlock as well.

By streetcar (tramway)
There are a couple of tourist routes with early XX century streetcars.

Beach area

 * Orchid Garden plus Zoobotanic garden at Praça Washington Luis at the end of Avenida General Francisco Glicério, 200 metres from beach and 300 metres from São Vicente border. Small entrance fee. Several green houses full of orchids. Small local animals loose in the garden: turtles, pacas. Walk in fenced garden with loose large birds: tucanos, macaws.
 * Benedicto Calixto Art Collecion at Bartolomeu de Gusmão Avenue, 15 (near a touristic guide place) is a beautiful mansion house with a permanent exhibition of paintings by Benedicto Calixto and an art library. Worth visiting the beautiful indoor garden.
 * Orchid Garden plus Zoobotanic garden at Praça Washington Luis at the end of Avenida General Francisco Glicério, 200 metres from beach and 300 metres from São Vicente border. Small entrance fee. Several green houses full of orchids. Small local animals loose in the garden: turtles, pacas. Walk in fenced garden with loose large birds: tucanos, macaws.
 * Benedicto Calixto Art Collecion at Bartolomeu de Gusmão Avenue, 15 (near a touristic guide place) is a beautiful mansion house with a permanent exhibition of paintings by Benedicto Calixto and an art library. Worth visiting the beautiful indoor garden.
 * Benedicto Calixto Art Collecion at Bartolomeu de Gusmão Avenue, 15 (near a touristic guide place) is a beautiful mansion house with a permanent exhibition of paintings by Benedicto Calixto and an art library. Worth visiting the beautiful indoor garden.

Do

 * People from São Paulo often go to Santos to lie down under the sun and enjoy the beach. Santos beaches are not the most beautiful in the Paulista Coast, but they are still popular and a good place for a walk. Once there, you may try some coconuts (R$ 4.00) or buy handicrafts. If you can't find the vendors, don't worry, they will find you.
 * Walk on the XV de Novembro Street. Located in the center of Santos, the street used to be where the office s of Coffee Lords were located. The interesting colonial architecture and the many bars and Cafes around make it a pleasant walk in the ending afternoon.[[Image:SantosTram.JPG|thumb|Santos historical tram]]
 * Trams in Santos date back to 1861. You can still ride them and take a peek in all main attractions of the center. Tours costs R$5,00 and leaves from Maua Square (Praca Maua).
 * Double Deck tour travels along the beach front on Saturdays and Sundays in summer, and during the rest of the year, on long holiday weekends. Departure point is near the Aquarium. A guide points out the main attractions along the route. Departures: Municipal Aquarium (Neighborhood: Ponta da Praia)tickets costs: R$4

Buy

 * The handicraft market is the place to buy a nice souvenir from Santos. There you can find paintings, earrings, clothes, candies, esoteric stuff, flowers and the like. It's located at the end of Avenida Conselheiro Nébias, every Saturday from 14:00 to around 23:00, and Rua Conselheiro Ribas (in front of SESC) every Sunday.
 * Some tourists like to check the Fish Market, close to the ferry boat, where one can buy fresh fish with a very cheap price.

Drink
Bars in Santos are usually crowded and lively during the weekends. Many bars offer live MPB music (Popular Brazilian Music). Beer, caipirinha and batidas are found everywhere.

Budget
On the side streets just West of Avenida Ana Costa (forwards Avenida Bernardino de Campos), one or two blocks from the beach, there are a few simple mixed cheap hotels / pensões.

On the Paqueta side of the city center (between the center and the port) there are a few grotty very cheap hotels, if you cannot afford anything else. (women travelling alone might fell uncorfortable there).

Stay healthy
Santos is infamous for beach pollution during part of the year. Look for small red flags near the pedestrian way. They mean swimming at the beach is not advised. Before you go, you can also check the map of the latest weekly beach quality bulletin (in Portuguese, boletim de qualidade das praias) of the state's Environment Department (CETESB).

Go next
Hostels and private rooms are available in ...:

To the east:

 * Guarujá – 10 km. Popular beach destination and devoted to tourism. The city has the biggest aquarium in South America, it has more than 700 species of aquatic animals. A nickname for the city is "The Pearl of the Atlantic".
 * Bertioga – 60 km. A laid-back sea-side town with excellent beaches. It's one of the safest towns of the São Paulo coast.
 * Camburi and Boicucanga – 110 km. It is considered by Paulistas as one of the best beaches on their coastline. Camburizinho beach is right next door.
 * Ilhabela – 140 km. The island is considered one of the natural paradises of the São Paulo coast. (Ilhabela means literally "beautiful island" in Portuguese). It is known for its forest-covered mountains, its amazing beaches and its savage trails.

To the south-west:

 * Itanhaém – 60 km. Surrounded by the Atlantic forest and with nice beaches. You can make a boat tour upstream the river. The city's nickname is "Princess of the South Seas" and "Amazônia Paulista".

To the north:

 * São Paulo

title: Santos


text:
Santos and South Coast

Santos and South Coast is a region in the state of São Paulo. It is formed by the Baixada Santista, a coastal metropolitan area with 1.6 million inhabitants centered on Santos, and the Paulista part of the Ribeira Valley, Brazil's largest area of primary Atlantic rainforest, part of the Atlantic Forest South-East Reserves, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Regions

 * Baixada Santista (Bertioga, Cubatão, Guarujá, Itanhaém, Mongaguá, Peruíbe, Praia Grande, Santos, São Vicente)
 * Ribeira Valley (Barra do Turvo, Cajati, Cananéia, Eldorado, Iguape, Ilha Comprida, Iporanga, Jacupiranga, Juquiá, Miracatu, Pariquera-Açu, Registro, Tapiraí)

Cities

 * - Relatively tranquil beach city not far from São Paulo
 * - A nice historic center and access to the unspoiled Cardoso island
 * - Surrounded by Atlantic Forest, contains the Famous Devil's Cave (Portuguese: Caverna do Diabo)
 * - Lively beach city that can get quite crowded, but has also some calmer beaches
 * - Containing one of the few Colonial historical centers of the state (a national heritage site), and the wild and huge Juréia beach
 * - A long stretch of quiet beaches and sand dunes
 * - The paradisiac Barra da Una beach and aventure at the Juréia-Itatins Ecological Station
 * - Brazil's largest port and home of F.C. Santos, with beautiful historical constructions of the coffee farming era
 * - The paradisiac Barra da Una beach and aventure at the Juréia-Itatins Ecological Station
 * - Brazil's largest port and home of F.C. Santos, with beautiful historical constructions of the coffee farming era

Other destinations

 * - Previously called "Jacupiranga State Park", it contains a large original Atlantic rainforest reserve, the famous "Caverna do Diabo" (Devil's Cave) and the beautiful Lagamar de Cananéia
 * - One of the largest original Atlantic rainforest reserves of the country, hence with large animal biodiversity, also with the highest concentration of caves in the World

Understand
Without doubt, the South Coast is where the São Paulo state was born, with the foundation of the São Vicente village in 1532. The early years of the region where marked by violent fights between Portuguese settlers and native Brazilians, and by the difficulty of Portuguese settlers on achieving economical prosperity. This second factor has led to expeditions to the inner part of the state, the so-called Bandeiras, with the expeditioners, the Bandeirantes, becoming major historical figures in the state.

The region would have many economical ups and downs until the XIX century, when the boom of coffee farming happened. Santos quickly became the most important port of Brazil, a status that it maintains until nowadays, thanks to the industralization era that started in the 1950s. The surrounding cities became either dormitory cities for workers of the port of Santos, or beach resort towns for Paulistas. Eventually those cities conurbated with Santos, forming the metropolis known as Baixada Santista.

In the south of the region, the Ribeira Valley, on the other hand, never recovered from economical stagnation. This fact, while keeping the cities from the region small and relatively poor, ironically contributed to the preservation of the region's Atlantic rainforest, beaches and Colonial-era (pre-XIX century) historical heritage - making the region a true unspoiled gem in the state.

See

 * The Casa de Pedra cave, in the Alto Ribeira State Touristic Park, the cave with the largest mouth in the World
 * The valuable XIX century historical heritage of Santos, the Colonial historic centers of Iguape and Cananéia
 * The Memorial das Conquistas in Santos, a museum about the history of the F. C. Santos football team, where Pelé played
 * Cardoso island in Cananéia, a natural paradise guarded by rigorous protection laws

Stay safe
Crime is a major problem in the Baixada Santista metro area, with only Bertioga being relatively safe. Walking at night should be restricted to well-trafficked areas. The Ribeira Valley is not particularly dangerous for visitors, although one must remember that it is a poor region, where one must avoid displaying possessions and entering very poor areas.

title: Santos and South Coast


text:
Santo Stefano di Sessanio

Santo Stefano di Sessanio is a village with a preserved medieval character in L'Áquila Province in Abruzzo.

Get in
Bus from L'Aquila.

Get around
The only way to see the village is on foot. It's small enough to give no problem to most people but is not easy for wheel-chair users as there are a number of steps and some very narrow roads.

See

 * It is the village as a whole rather than any particular sight that is appealing, although you would not want to miss the watchtower and the remarkably narrow street past it.
 * There is a small lake just outside the walls.

Eat

 * Hotel Restaurant del Cavaliere, Via della Giudea, This is just outside the wall; their lentil soup is particularly good.

Sleep

 * The Residenza la Torre is not a single place but consists of a number of restored apartments, the restoration tastefully planned by an architect owner. The owner or a family member will let you into your apartment and leave you some food for breakfast, book you a meal at the local restaurant if you wish and then leave you until the morning.

title: Santo Stefano di Sessanio


text:
Santubong

Set under the spectacularly steep 810m peak of Gunung Santubong, the Santubong Peninsula is home to Sarawak's finest beach resorts and its famous Cultural Village.

Development of the resorts has been largely slow-paced and sensitive, and further curbs on development can be expected since part of the peninsula was declared a national park in 2007, 50 years after it was first suggested.

By shuttle van
Minivans head to Santubong regularly from the market in Kuching, leaving when full.You can also have the place you are staying on the peninsula send one to Kuching for you by arrangement.

Public
The extremely cheap but unreliable public bus service operated by Petra Jaya transport departs from the market in Kuching and heads to Buntal, on the eastern side of the peninsula, and continues on to Santubong if there is sufficient demand.

Tour bus
Regular tour buses leave from most of the major hotels in Kuching. Fees are around RM10 per person.

Get around
The peninsula is very rural and undeveloped outside of the resorts. Which is a challenge on several fronts: the main attractions out of walking distance and none of them are next to one another. The best way to get around is to take shuttles from your accommodation. Most are Rm 5 per person.

Sleep
The Santubong Peninsula is home to many fine resorts, mostly clustered around Damai Beach

Go next
The best way to get out is the same way you got in, that being by shuttle or by bus. The resorts mostly provide shuttles for Rm5-10 per person. Kuching is a hub for all further travel from there.

title: Santubong


text:
Sanuki

Sanuki (さぬき) is a city of 56,000 people (2021) in Kagawa prefecture.

Tourist information site
The local tourist association has a Japanese-only guide site. with integrated Google Translate. Its Pamphlet section has some materials in English and other languages.

By train
The central station is Shido Station.
 * Shikoku Railway Company (JR Shikoku): Kotoku Line
 * Takamatsu Kotohira Electric Railway:
 * Nagao Line: Nagao Station

By bus

 * Okawa Bus

By car

 * National highway No. 11
 * National highway No. 377

Temples

 * Shikoku 88 Pilgrimage Sites: a multi-site pilgrimage of 88 temples associated with the Buddhist monk Kūkai (Kōbō Daishi).

Go next

 * Miki
 * Higashikagawa
 * Takamatsu
 * Naruto
 * Tokushima
 * Sakaide
 * Ayagawa
 * Utazu
 * Marugame

title: Sanuki