If you’re a museum junkie, you absolutely have to visit the Centro León in Santiago on your next trip to the Dominican Republic. Only a short drive from La Vista on Playa Cofresí and Puerto Plata, the Centro León is one of the Dominican Republic’s most interesting museums. In addition to their numerous exhibits, the Centro León also periodically hosts cultural events many visitors are sure to find interesting such as film expositions or music festivals. A large portion of the Centro León’s collection is dedicated to pre-Columbian artifacts that describe the earliest Dominican Republic inhabitants. Some of these collections feature pieces thousands of years old and these exhibits are a great way to learn about life in the Americas before the arrival of Europeans. Of course, much of the museum displays new, modern artistic pieces that highlight contemporary life in the Dominican Republic and Latin America. Visitors can see many excellent photographs, sculptures, paintings and more. So, whenever you feel like taking a day off from the beach or you want to immerse yourself in island culture, the Centro León is a great place to visit. It’s also close enough to La Vista that you can easily see the museum, some great Santiago eateries, and local sites in a short day trip.