And, just like that, my 2026 travels have already begun! I ended the first full week of January touching down in beautiful Santiago de Los Caballeros, Dominican Republic, also known as La Ciudad Corazón (the Heartland City).

Located approximately 95 miles northwest of the capital, Santo Domingo, Santiago is the second-largest city in the Dominican Republic and largest in the Caribbean that is not a capital city. Its perfect location in the Cibao Valley (north-central region) makes the city a cultural and industrial hub. The first and last time I visited was in 2010, when I still lived in Santo Domingo.

With a direct flight from New York (JFK), this trip allowed me to navigate two new airports: Cibao International Airport and Gregorio Luperón International Airport in Puerto Plata upon departure.

I managed to roll into a rainy, stormy sky, but, luckily, that was not a forewarning of the trip ahead. I was picked up by my compadres with a cerveza Presidente in hand (PSA: This is rather normal in DR while driving.), and we were off to the apartment I would have to myself for the weekend and a bit of downtime with my two little ahijados. Although the weather was certainly beckoning me down, my true purpose for the trip was to celebrate the christening of my two godchildren.

That night the adults ventured out to enjoy some mofongo, a tasty Caribbean meal made of mashed fried plantains, your choice of protein and copious amounts of garlic, often finished with a mojo drizzled over top to keep the plantains moist. We drove around the city and called it an early night afterwards as I was running on very little sleep and we had big plans for the next two days: the beach on Saturday and the christening on Sunday.

Traditional Mofongo

After a leisurely wake-up and quick stroll over to my friend’s for breakfast, it was time to hit the road for Playa Guzmancito in Puerto Plata. The sun was shining, and I thanked the Lord for it. I hadn’t left the cold for a rainy tropical island! The trip was about an hour and a half from Santiago, including essential stops we made along the way — one for cervezas and one for fruit for the kids and queso de hoja, a rich, almost burrata-like cheese. With the stops breaking up the trip, it felt like we arrived in no time and were able to pull the car up almost to the beach — very handy to not have to tow all your things. After a little bit in the sun, sand and water, I decided to treat myself and my friend to a massage on the beach since it was also her birthday weekend. In DR it is a commonly offered service, and I can’t think of a better place to enjoy a massage.

Relaxed and with sun-kissed skin, it was time for one of my favorite beach traditions: a whole fried fish with tostones and lots of fresh lime. After that, a nap on the beach and some fun in the sand with the kids rounded out our afternoon. Five hours later, we were back in the car and on the road to the city. I’m never mad when I get to be on a beach in January, especially when it’s a beautiful, tropic locale.

A quiet Saturday night was followed by an anything-but Sunday. This was the big day, and we woke early to make sure everything was ready to go for the christening and the celebration afterwards. After a beautiful mass and baptism, we headed to the rooftop of the building I was staying in to relax with friends and family and share some delicious food, great conversation and amazing views of the Cibao Valley mountains. The celebration wrapped up in the late afternoon, so we decided to take advantage of my last 15-plus hours in the city. My friends really wanted me to experience how some of the locals like to spend their weekends. So, out for some drinks and dancing we went … .

In El Son de Keka, we certainly found both. Amidst a magical, vibrant backdrop of brightly colored stores and houses, with lights strung overhead, the whole street was an open-air Son dance floor. If you think you don’t know what Son is, you do. Think of any Cuban salsa song you’ve heard … its foundation is Son. It was so nice to feel warm air on my skin at night and spend an evening outside. (The weather back home is not scratching that itch at the moment.)

Famous Strip El Son de KekaFrom there, we wandered over to El Monumento A los Mártires, a monument dedicated to those who gave their lives in the Restoration War. This area is also a well-known gathering spot in Santiago, as people take advantage of the spacious plaza surrounding the monument and meander through the pathways of its lush, green foliage. From there it was off to a bar across the street where we took in some live típico and more dancing.

El Monumento a los Mártires at night

Monday came all too soon, and I had to prepare to return to the bitter cold of the Northeast. And while I was panicking on my way to the airport as American Airlines would not allow me to download my boarding pass, the return trip was happily rather smooth. Well, except for a disgruntled TSA agent at Charlotte Douglas International Airport who seem determined to make all travelers’ trips sour, that is. Anyway, this year will be filled with travel, and I can’t wait to recount upcoming adventures with you all. Next up: Sarasota, Florida.

— Yasser Gallagher-Ogando, executive media director