Discovering Paradise
Salcedo
Salcedo is the hometown of the Mirabal sisters, whose resistance against the Trujillo dictatorship inspired the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. The Mirabal Sisters Museum preserves their legacy and is one of the most important cultural sites in the Dominican Republic.
☀️November to April
🌡️27°C (81°F)
✈️Cibao International (STI) — 1 hr drive
Quick Facts
🌡️
Avg Temperature
27°C (81°F)
☀️
Best Months
November to April
✈️
Nearest Airport
Cibao International (STI) — 1 hr drive
Salcedo is hallowed ground in Dominican history — the hometown of the Mirabal sisters, three extraordinary women whose courageous resistance against the Trujillo dictatorship cost them their lives and inspired a global movement. Their assassination on November 25, 1960, was so profoundly unjust that the United Nations designated that date as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women — a tribute that echoes from this small Cibao town to every corner of the world.
The province itself was renamed Hermanas Mirabal in their honor, and the Mirabal Sisters Museum, housed in the family's actual home, is one of the most important cultural and historical sites in the Dominican Republic. Walking through the rooms where Patria, Minerva, and María Teresa grew up, seeing their personal belongings, and standing at the site where their memory is preserved is a deeply moving experience that no visitor forgets.
Beyond its historical significance, Salcedo offers an intimate window into rural Cibao life. The town is surrounded by rich farmland where tobacco, cacao, and coffee grow in abundance. The pace of life is slow, the people are welcoming, and the landscape of rolling green hills is quintessentially Dominican. Coming here is not just a history lesson — it's an immersion into the culture and values that shaped a nation.
Ideal
Good
Rainy
Apr
20° — 31°
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Aug
22° — 33°
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Dec
19° — 29°
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Feb
18° — 29°
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Jan
18° — 29°
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Jul
22° — 33°
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Jun
22° — 32°
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Mar
19° — 30°
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May
21° — 31°
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Nov
20° — 30°
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Oct
21° — 31°
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Sep
22° — 32°
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Temperature in °C💧 = ~5 rain days
Salcedo is located in Hermanas Mirabal Province in the eastern Cibao Valley, between Santiago and San Francisco de Macorís.
By Air
Cibao International Airport (STI) in Santiago is the nearest international airport, about 1-1.5 hours west. From Santo Domingo's Las Américas Airport (SDQ), the drive is approximately 2.5-3 hours north.
By Car
From Santiago, head east through Moca — Salcedo is about 1 hour along a well-paved road through beautiful agricultural countryside. From Santo Domingo, take the Autopista Duarte north to La Vega, then continue northeast — about 2.5-3 hours total. From San Francisco de Macorís, Salcedo is about 30 minutes west.
By Bus
There is no direct long-distance bus service to Salcedo. Take a Caribe Tours or Metro bus to Santiago or San Francisco de Macorís and connect by guagua. Local minibuses run frequently between Moca, Salcedo, and San Francisco de Macorís throughout the day.
Getting Around
Salcedo is a small town easily explored on foot. Motoconchos can take you to the Mirabal Museum on the outskirts of town and to nearby communities. For exploring the broader province, a car is helpful.
Salcedo is a small town with limited but adequate accommodations for visitors.
In Town
A few basic hotels and guesthouses offer simple rooms from US$20-40/night. Don't expect luxury — rooms are clean and functional with air conditioning and basic amenities. These are Dominican-style lodgings designed for local travelers, which adds to the authentic feel.
Nearby Options
If you prefer more choices, the larger cities of Moca (about 30 minutes west) and San Francisco de Macorís (about 30 minutes east) have a wider range of hotels. Many visitors see Salcedo as a day trip from one of these cities or from Santiago.
Homestays & Community Tourism
The Hermanas Mirabal Province has a small but growing community tourism network. Some local families offer homestay experiences where visitors can share meals, learn about farming life, and connect with Dominican culture at its most genuine. Ask at the museum or local tourism office for current options.
Mirabal Sisters Museum
The essential visit. The museum is located in the actual home of the Mirabal family in the community of Conuco, just outside Salcedo. The house has been carefully preserved, and exhibits include personal belongings, photographs, letters, and artifacts from the sisters' lives and resistance against Trujillo. A guided tour — available in Spanish and sometimes English — brings the story to life with powerful emotional impact. The gardens and grounds are peaceful and reflective.
Historical Walking Tour
Explore sites in and around Salcedo connected to the Mirabal sisters and the broader resistance movement. Local guides can show you key locations, share stories passed down through the community, and provide context that deepens your understanding of this chapter of Dominican history.
Rural Cibao Culture
The countryside around Salcedo is classic Cibao — green hillsides dotted with small farms growing tobacco, coffee, cacao, and tropical fruits. Take a drive or walk through the rural communities to see traditional farming practices, wooden houses with zinc roofs, and the unhurried rhythm of agricultural life.
November 25 Commemorations
If you can time your visit for November 25, Salcedo hosts deeply moving commemorative events honoring the Mirabal sisters. Dominicans from across the country gather for ceremonies, speeches, and cultural events. It's a profound experience that connects local history to a global cause.
Local Market & Food
Salcedo's small central market sells fresh produce from surrounding farms. The comedores serve traditional Cibao dishes — hearty sancocho, mangú with los tres golpes, and freshly squeezed fruit juices — at prices that reflect the local economy.
- Allow at least 2 hours for the Mirabal Museum. The experience is deeply moving and shouldn't be rushed. A guided tour adds enormous value — request one when you arrive.
- Read about the Mirabal sisters beforehand. Julia Alvarez's novel "In the Time of the Butterflies" provides excellent background and will make your visit far more meaningful.
- Visit on November 25 for the International Day commemorations if possible. The events are powerful and bring the museum and town to life with ceremony and emotion.
- Bring cash. Salcedo has limited ATMs and card acceptance is rare. Stock up in Santiago or San Francisco de Macorís before arriving.
- Combine with other Cibao towns. Salcedo pairs naturally with visits to Moca (30 minutes west) and San Francisco de Macorís (30 minutes east) for a full Cibao cultural circuit.
- Respect the site. The Mirabal Museum is a place of deep significance to Dominicans. Dress modestly, keep voices low, and approach the visit with the reverence it deserves.
Sample Itineraries
Salcedo Historical Day
Visit the Mirabal Sisters Museum and experience rural Cibao life.
🌅 Morning2.5h
Mirabal Sisters Museum
Visit the house-turned-museum of the Mirabal sisters, whose assassination helped spark the end of the Trujillo dictatorship. A deeply moving and important historical site.
Museo Hermanas Mirabal
Tip: The museum guides are often family members or neighbors who knew the sisters personally. Their stories add powerful context.
Midday1.5h
Ojo de Agua
Visit the natural spring at Ojo de Agua for a refreshing swim. This popular local swimming hole is surrounded by tropical vegetation.
Ojo de Agua, Salcedo
☀️ Afternoon2h
Rural Cibao Drive
Drive through the lush Cibao countryside. Rolling green hills, tobacco fields, and small farming communities paint a picture of traditional Dominican rural life.
Salcedo Countryside
🌙 Evening1.5h
Local Restaurant Dinner
Dine in Salcedo town on home-style Cibao cuisine. The tostones, yuca, and stewed meats here are prepared the traditional way.
Salcedo Town
Practical Information
🚗 Getting Around
Guagua(RD$100-200)
Minibuses from Santiago or La Vega.
Private Taxi(US$50-70 from STI)
About 1 hour from Cibao International Airport.
💵 Daily Budget
BudgetUS$15-25
Mid-rangeUS$30-50
LuxuryUS$60-100
🛡️ Safety Tips
- ✓Salcedo is the birthplace of the Mirabal sisters — peaceful and historic
- ✓Visit the Mirabal Sisters Museum
- ✓Small town — very safe and friendly
📶 Connectivity
Moderate. 4G in town. WiFi in some hotels.
💰 Tipping
10% service charge (propina legal) included in restaurant bills. Tip extra 5-10% for excellent service. Hotel housekeeping: RD$50-100/day. Tour guides: US$5-10/person.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Mirabal Sisters Museum?
The Museo Hermanas Mirabal is dedicated to Patria, Minerva, and Maria Teresa Mirabal, three sisters who became symbols of resistance against the Trujillo dictatorship. They were assassinated on November 25, 1960, a date now recognized worldwide as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. The museum is housed in their former home and displays personal belongings, letters, and exhibits about their lives and sacrifice.
How do I get to the Mirabal Sisters Museum?
The museum is located in Conuco, a community about 5 km outside Salcedo town. From Salcedo center, take a motoconcho (RD$50-100 / US$1-1.75) or taxi. The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday, 9 AM to 5 PM. Admission is approximately RD$100 (US$1.75). Allow 1-2 hours for the visit. Guided tours are available in Spanish.
Is Salcedo worth visiting?
For anyone interested in Dominican history and culture, Salcedo is a meaningful destination. The Mirabal Sisters Museum is one of the most important cultural sites in the country. The town itself is small and quiet, with a pleasant central park and friendly residents. It works well as a half-day trip from San Francisco de Macoris or as part of a Cibao Valley tour.
How do I get to Salcedo?
Salcedo (officially Hermanas Mirabal province) is about 150 km (2.5 hours) north of Santo Domingo and about 20 km from San Francisco de Macoris. Guaguas and public transport connect it to San Francisco and Santiago. From Santiago, the drive is about 1.5 hours. There is no nearby airport; use Cibao International (STI) in Santiago.
What else can I do in Salcedo?
Beyond the museum, Salcedo is known for its agricultural heritage, particularly coffee and cacao. The surrounding hills are green and scenic. The town has a small but lively market and several local restaurants serving traditional Dominican food. It pairs well with visits to Moca and San Francisco de Macoris for a cultural road trip through the Cibao.
Nearby Destinations
Explore more places near Salcedo
Plan Your Salcedo Trip
Everything you need to plan an unforgettable visit.
Nearest airport: Cibao International (STI) — 1 hr drive