Commonly known as simply Santiago, the vibrant city of Santiago de los Caballeros is the second largest city in the Dominican Republic. The city is located in the northern region of the island at the heart of El Cibao Valley and serves as the nation’s cultural, political, industrial, and financial center. The city is known as an entertainment hub with an array of local attractions including, golf courses, nearby beaches as well as great shopping malls and some excellent art galleries. Don’t miss the Calle del Sol, the city’s main shopping street, the Parque Duarte, a shady park where you can mingle with the laidback locals, and of course the one-of-a-kind Museo del Tabaco, where visitors can learn about the art of cigar-making while purchasing some of the country’s famous cigar brands.