Centro León
Avenida 27 de Febrero 146, Santiago De Los Caballeros, 51053
Founded by the Eduardo León Jimenes Foundation, Centro León is one of the top cultural institutions in the Dominican Republic. Housed in a modern building in Santiago de los Caballeros, the museum and cultural center offer exhibitions, educational activities, workshops, live performances, craft markets, and community events.
The basics
At Centro León (or formally, the Eduardo León Jimenes Culture Center), three permanent exhibition rooms cover Dominican history, culture, identity, Dominican art, and the history of the founding León family. One temporary exhibition room changes topics seasonally and there’s also an outdoor sculpture garden and aviary. You can explore the museum on a self-guided audio tour or reserve a guided tour for richer insights. The museum also offers many live and educational events and programs.
Things to know before you go
Centro León is a must-see for fans of art, culture, and history in Santiago.
Public areas of the museum are free to visit; the museum is also free on Tuesdays.
Audio and guided tours are available in different languages for an extra fee.
There’s a café and an excellent gift shop on-site.
How to get there
Centro León is on Avenida 27 de Febrero, just a few miles east of the historic center of Santiago. You can easily take a taxi or rideshare to the center. Some Ruta A conchos (local taxis) also stop at the center, as do buses that run along Avenida 27 de Febrero.
When to get there
The museum portion of Centro León is open from 10am to 7pm, Tuesday to Sunday. Visit on Tuesdays for free admission. The cultural center holds activities after the museum closes, including film screenings, live music, and different educational classes. Check the museum website for the latest schedule of events. Guided tours need to be reserved in advance.
Art and culture in Santiago
Santiago de los Caballeros is known for its rich art and culture scene. Besides Centro León, you can immerse yourself in Dominican art at the Casa de Arte and browse painting exhibitions and film forums at the Ercilia Pepin Cultural Center, or discover street art and murals in the Los Pepines neighborhood. For performing arts and live performances, options include the Gran Teatro del Cibao or La 37 Por las Tablas.
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