Province · Costa Sul: San Cristóbal, Baní e Azua

Azua

Azua is the coastline of Ocoa Bay: the beach of Monte Río, Palmar de Ocoa and Las Caobitas, the ruins of the colonial town of 1504 and the dry mountains of the Sierra Martín García.

In the photo: Parque Duarte, in Azua de Compostela

Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.

The province

Get to know Azua

The province of Azua lies on the southern coast, between Ocoa Bay and the mountains of the Central Range, in a dry region of cacti, mango trees and irrigated plantations. The capital, Azua de Compostela, was founded in 1504 by Diego Velázquez, and the young Hernán Cortés lived there for a few years before leaving for the conquest of Mexico.

The original town was destroyed by an earthquake in 1751 and rebuilt farther from the sea; the ruins of Pueblo Viejo preserve remains of churches and the Las Mercedes convent. Azua was also the scene of the Battle of March 19, 1844, one of the fights of Dominican independence, commemorated in a city park.

The coast has dozens of kilometers of beaches. Monte Río, near the town, is the most popular; Palmar de Ocoa, to the east, has vacation houses and calm seas; and Las Caobitas has mangroves and clear water with small islets offshore. Inland, Sierra Martín García National Park protects mountains that rise almost from the shoreline, and there are mineral and thermal springs.

The guide does not list towns in the province, which is commonly crossed on the route from Santo Domingo to Barahona and San Juan de la Maguana.

When to go

The region is dry and hot year-round, with almost guaranteed sunshine; from December to March the heat is milder. Rains are scarce and concentrated between May and October, and the southern coast can be affected by hurricanes from June to November.

Getting there

Azua is about an hour and a half from Santo Domingo via the southern road, the Carretera Sánchez, with frequent buses. It is on the route to Barahona, San Juan de la Maguana and Pedernales. For those flying, arrivals are through Las Américas (SDQ) in Santo Domingo.

Your questions

Frequently asked questions about Azua

What is the best beach in Azua?

Monte Río, near the town, is the most frequented; Palmar de Ocoa and Las Caobitas have calmer waters and fewer people.

What to see in Azua besides the beaches?

The ruins of Pueblo Viejo, of the colonial town destroyed in 1751, the park commemorating the Battle of March 19 and the mountains of the Sierra Martín García.

Is Azua on the way to Barahona?

Yes, the southern road passes through Azua, about an hour and a half from Santo Domingo and two hours from Barahona.

Did Hernán Cortés really live in Azua?

Yes, the future conqueror of Mexico lived in the village in the early years of the 16th century, before heading to Cuba.

Tap a province to see its destinations. Limites: Oficina Nacional de Estadística / OCHA-HDX / geoBoundaries (CC BY 3.0 IGO). Adaptação do Cidade Turismo.