Santiago Tourist Train: The Roco Train Experience

Santiago de los Caballeros just got one of its most exciting new attractions — a tourist train that takes you through the city’s historic center, past its most iconic landmarks, to the rhythm of merengue and bachata. The Roco Santiago Tourist Train is a cultural and educational experience on rails that lets visitors discover the heart of the Cibao Valley in a completely new way.

Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a santiaguero who has lived here for decades, the Roco Tren offers a perspective of the city that you simply can’t get on foot — guided, musical, and genuinely fun.

What is the Roco Santiago Tourist Train?

The Roco Santiago Tourist Train is Santiago’s official cultural tourist train — a guided tour by rail through the city’s historic center, backed by the city’s mayor, the INTRANT (national transit authority), and a coalition of public and private stakeholders who recognized the need for a new kind of tourism experience in the Cibao.

The train departs from the Gran Teatro del Cibao — one of the city’s premier cultural landmarks — and winds through streets full of history, passing the iconic Monument to the Heroes of the Restoration, before culminating in an unforgettable experience at the Teleférico de Santiago.

Throughout the journey, a guide narrates the history and culture of Santiago while the sounds of merengue and bachata fill the streets — drawing smiles and waves from santiagueros as the train passes through their neighborhoods.

The route — what you’ll see

The Roco Santiago Tourist Train city tour covers Santiago’s most historically and culturally significant areas. Key stops and highlights along the route include:

• Gran Teatro del Cibao — the departure point, one of the finest theaters in the Dominican Republic and a symbol of Santiago’s cultural life
• Monumento a los Héroes de la Restauración — Santiago’s defining 67-meter landmark, visible from across the city. The train passes its base offering dramatic close-up views
• Historic streets of the city center — colonial-era streets, the Cathedral, Parque Duarte, and the architecture that tells Santiago’s 500-year story
• Teleférico de Santiago — the tour culminates at Santiago’s iconic cable car, where passengers can enjoy panoramic views of the entire Cibao Valley

How to book

Booking is simple and can be done entirely online:

• Visit rocotrenturistico.com to see available tours and dates
• Pay online via PayPal or bank transfer, or pay in person at the ticket office
• Spots are limited — advance booking is strongly recommended, especially on weekends
• The website also lists additional experiences including the City Tour Santiago and the Feria del Libro

Why the Roco Santiago Tourist Train matters for Santiago

The Roco Santiago Tourist Train represents a genuine shift in how Santiago positions itself as a tourist destination. The Dominican Republic’s second city has long been overshadowed by Punta Cana and Santo Domingo in tourism marketing — despite having a richer cultural and historical identity than either.

The launch of the tourist train, backed by city government and private investment, signals that Santiago is actively building its tourism infrastructure and creating new experiences that give visitors a reason to stay longer and explore deeper. For a city with 530 years of history, the Roco Tourist Train is just the beginning.

Perfect for — who should take the Roco Train

• First-time visitors to Santiago — the best possible orientation to the city in 1–2 hours
• Families with children — fun, musical, educational and fully accessible
• History and culture lovers — the narrated guide covers 500 years of Cibao history
• Group travelers — an ideal group activity for corporate retreats, school trips, and family reunions
• Dominican diaspora — rediscover the city with new eyes and share it with family members visiting for the first time

Frequently asked questions