When you visit La Vista, Villas Cofresí in the Dominican Republic, it’s worth it to reserve some time for a day trip to Santiago de Los Treinte Caballeros, more commonly known as Santiago. Santiago is a major urban, cultural and political center in the Dominican Republic and a great place to visit. There’s lots of places to eat wonderful food and listen to some exotic merengue and bachata music. There’s also a lot to do when it comes to stimulating the intellect, since Santiago hosts some truly great museums.

Renovated in 2007, the Monument to the Heroes of the Restoration of the Republic is a massive tower set on a big hill that dominates Santiago. Here, visitors will find a wide green space with food vendors, numerous bronze depictions of famous Dominicans, and five stories dedicated to history, art and artifacts. Given its prominent location, the Monument is also a great place to enjoy a truly spectacular Dominican sunset.

Next, stop by the Thomas Morel Museum of Folk Art. Free and open to the public, this museum host numerous pieces celebrating Dominican folk culture, particularly Carnaval. There are many Carnaval costumes and masks on display and this museum is a great place to become acquainted with the Dominican interpretation of Mardi Gras.

Finish your museum tour of Santiago with a visit to the Centro León, widely considered one of the Dominican Republic’s best museums. There’s a lot to do at the Centro and visitors can see exhibits depicting pre-Columbian Dominican culture and modern art in photography, sculpture, painting, drawing and more.