Concepción de la Vega, Dominican Republic

Visit Concepción de la Vega, the first colonial settlement in the Dominican Republic and the most thriving one

Concepción de la Vega
© La India del Cibao

Visit Concepción de la Vega, also known as just La Vega, the Dominican Republic’s most prosperous city, where you can learn everything about the country’s history and have lots of fun.

It is located in the middle of the country’s mainland and, nowadays, its economy is based on trade and industry derived from activities such as coffee, cocoa, textile and alcoholic beverages production.

It was founded in 1494 by Christopher Columbus, thus being one of the first settlements in La Española Island. At first, it was a gold producing city, an activity that turned this city into one of the richest in the Dominican Republic. Some time after, the sugar cane crops were started to be grown for the first time in the whole continent.

It gets its name from the valley in which it is located. Due to its huge prosperity, a church made of stones was soon built, in where Fray Pedro de Córdova began to fight for the natives’ rights.

But the city was being abandoned little by little because of the discovery of some mines nearby where the Spaniards who lived in La Vega moved to; the natives also left the city because they were obliged to spread out.

In 1562, a devastating earthquake destroyed the city, but some of its ruins are still there, in its original location; for example, those of the San Francisco Monastery, where Fray Bartolomé de las Casas gave his first mass. The following year the city was rebuilt in its actual location, on the riverside of the Camú River.

Concepción de La Vega is known worldwide due to its Carnival festivities, La Vega’s Carnival, the Dominican most appreciated carnival. If you visit this city, you could take part in it and enjoy its colourful fun.

More information:

Location:

Concepción de la Vega, province of La Vega, Dominican Republic.

Carte Interactive:

Concepción de la Vega

What to see:

Cathedral of La Vega

What to do:

Hiking

Hotels

Book now your Hotel or Apartment:

Flight Offers:

Compare flight offers and book in advance to save some money.

Car Rental

Find the largest offer in car rental for your holidays:

Rent a Car