Province · Noroeste: Monte Cristi e a fronteira

Santiago Rodríguez

Santiago Rodríguez is the birthplace of the Restoration, in the northwest: Sabaneta, the Monción reservoir between hills, Monción's casabe and the slopes of the Cordillera Central.

In the photo: Monción reservoir between hills (Santiago Rodríguez)

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 Santiago Rodríguez

Santiago Rodríguez is located in the northwest of the country, on the so-called Línea Noroeste, between the dry valley of the Yaque del Norte and the slopes of the Cordillera Central. The capital, San Ignacio de Sabaneta, bears in the province's name the rancher and military leader Santiago Rodríguez, leader of the 1863 revolt that started the War of Restoration, and for that reason it is called the birthplace of the Restoration.

The province has only three municipalities: Sabaneta, Monción and Villa Los Almácigos, where, in 1863, one of the councils that prepared the war met. The economy relies on dairy cattle, agriculture and small industries, and the region is known as a land of musicians.

Monción is the capital of casabe, the cassava bread inherited from the Taínos, made in sheet-metal ovens in family-run factories that receive visitors. Near the town, the Monción reservoir forms a lake among hills, with recreational areas along its shores.

To the south, the province rises up to Parque Nacional Armando Bermúdez, with pine forests and mountain rivers, bathing spots and waterfalls. No city of Santiago Rodríguez is included in the guide.

When to go

With less rain from December to April, the mountain roads are in better condition. The plain is hot and dry year-round; on the slopes of the Cordillera Central it is cooler. May to November is the rainiest period.

Getting there

Sabaneta is about two hours from Santiago by the northwest road, and Monción about an hour and a half, served by buses and public cars. From Santo Domingo, the trip takes about four and a half hours. By air, the closest arrival is Cibao Airport (STI), in Santiago.

Your questions

Frequently asked questions about Santiago Rodríguez

Why is Santiago Rodríguez called the birthplace of the Restoration?

Because in Sabaneta and the surrounding region the revolts that started the War of Restoration were organized in 1863, led by Santiago Rodríguez.

What is Monción's casabe?

The thin, crispy cassava bread, inherited from the Taínos, made in family-run factories in Monción, which is called the casabe capital.

What to see in Santiago Rodríguez?

The Monción reservoir, the casabe factories, the Restoration monuments in Sabaneta and the mountain rivers and waterfalls.

Is Santiago Rodríguez far from Santiago?

Monción is about an hour and a half away and Sabaneta about two hours, via the northwest road.

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