Why You Shouldn’t Miss This Historic City In The Dominican Republic

The Dominican Republic has lengthy been a well-liked trip spot, and this 12 months greater than ever, vacationers are flocking to this island nation within the Caribbean.

In February 2023 alone, over 600 thousand tourists arrived by air, and the development reveals no indicators of slowing down.

Columbus statue and Basilica Cathedral of Santa Maria la Menor in Santo Domingo Colonial zone

With more flights being added from the U.S., vacationers will keep coming to this stunningly lovely tropical island, and for good purpose.

While the beaches are clearly the draw right here (as they need to be), there are locations inland price a have a look at as nicely.

One such place is the colourful and historic capital metropolis of Santo Domingo.

santo domingo umbrella street with white colonial buildings

Here’s Why You Really Shouldn’t Miss Out On Exploring This Gem:

Just A Capital City?

Founded in 1496 by Christopher Columbus’s youthful brother, Bartholomew, Santo Domingo is the oldest repeatedly inhabited European metropolis in all the Americas. Here you can see the biggest metropolitan metropolis in the entire Caribbean and a colonial metropolis that has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

A 2010 American Capital of Culture, Santo Domingo must be extra than simply your level of entry to this nation. There are many causes you must spend a few nights right here earlier than or after heading to the seashores, from historical past, nightlife, tradition, meals and drinks, and rooftop swimming pools.

Reaching the seashore areas from Santo Domingo is straightforward by automobile, and public buses are low-cost and cozy as nicely. Santo Domingo has UBER, so getting across the metropolis shouldn’t be a difficulty, and there are areas to stay to and areas that aren’t advised for vacationers.

Note: Santo Domingo is a big sprawling metropolis, and new areas are sprouting up over time. This article will concentrate on the primary vacationer draw of the Zona Colonial.

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Retro carriage with a horse on a city street in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic copy

Where To Stay

The greatest place to remain in Santo Domingo for vacationers is the Zona Colonial or Colonial Zone. This is the place you’ll really feel the most secure, be inside a simple stroll to most of the fundamental websites, and be capable to pop again to your lodging for a day calm down earlier than heading again out for some unbelievable nightlife.

Santo Domingo will get sizzling, as one would possibly count on, and wandering the cobblestone streets all day will defiantly put on you down if visiting within the hotter months, so don’t overdo it. Luckily, there are lots of lodging choices with swimming pools, excellent for a day calm down.

Zona Colonial just isn’t all that giant, however fortunately there are quite a few leases and boutique resorts right here. Be cautious when selecting the place to remain, as some properties listing themselves as being simply exterior the Colonial Quarter, and some of those areas should not locations to stroll round at night time.

Note: I’m not saying they’re ‘dangerous’ per se, however that they won’t make the common traveler really feel as snug as a extra central location.

Statue of Bartholomew Columbus on Calle el Conde street in the colonial city center of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

If potential, keep IN the Colonial Zone, not ‘nearby’. The greatest tip for that is to learn the evaluations earlier than reserving, particularly search for mentions of “safe, walking, night,” and so forth. Tales from precise vacationers gives you a significantly better image of the world than the property description usually.

There are different areas of this huge metropolis that some vacationers want to remain, equivalent to Zona Universitaria, Gazcue, or the Malecon space, however actually, if you’re right here to see the Zona Colonial, it’s greatest to remain right here and save journey time.

There are additionally some city seashore areas right here you would possibly select, but it surely’s possible that you’ll be heading to one of many extra well-known seashore areas, so it’s higher to attend for these.

Historic City Center Plaza with Skyline of Colonial Buildings and Church

What To See and Do

The greatest method to expertise the colonial quarter of Santo Domingo is solely to wander and take all of it in. However, except you’re glued to a guidebook, it’s greatest to affix one of many metropolis’s many strolling excursions. With a information, you’ll be able to hear the historical past and get a really feel for the true heartbeat of this space.

Depending on once you go to, you’ll possible see A LOT of tour teams, a lot of the coming from cruise ships. Luckily they don’t appear to remain lengthy and congest the streets, and shouldn’t interrupt your sightseeing an excessive amount of.

There can also be a small vacationer prepare that put-puts its method round a number of the streets with a recorded audio description of the sights. This is an inexpensive and enjoyable method to see a bit with out breaking a sweat.

TIP- take this little prepare to scout out good photograph spots which you could circle again for golden hour.

white church and flags in santo domingo Dominican republic

The many eating places and bars within the colonial zone depart you spoiled for alternative right here, and there’s something for everybody’s price range and tastes. Ranging from rooftops, historic buildings, and newer developments, yow will discover Dominican meals and anything you may want. One private favourite for a killer view is Sugarcane La Casa Del Ron, the place you’ll be able to sip and overlook the primary church within the Americas.

For beer lovers, there are additionally just a few very cool breweries scattered in colourful outdated homes within the Zona Colonial. So, make sure to search these out if you’re right here to pattern a number of the Dominican Republic’s craft beers. For some nice gram-worthy pics, La Cacata Brewing is a vibrant little place serving superior ales.

SANTO DOMINGO, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC restaurant and outside dining

If you’ll be able to tear your self away from the meals and drinks, there are lots of cultural issues to see and do right here as nicely.

Parks equivalent to Independence and Columbus are price a go to, as are the various museums and historic websites to discover.

Museum of the Royal Houses, Museo del Larimar, the Amber World Museum, and Alcazar de Colon are all standard choices.

Santo Domingo additionally has the Caribbean’s first city cable automobile, and whereas its fundamental objective is to make the each day lives of residents simpler, vacationers are welcome to take pleasure in it as nicely.

Take the clear and environment friendly subway or an Uber to achieve the station and revel in a birds of view of the true Santo Domingo, removed from the glitzy vacationer shop-lined streets of the Zona Colonial.

Can’t Miss

It’s a disgrace how many individuals miss out on Santo Domingo when coming to the Dominican Republic, and it’s much more of a disgrace that individuals come to Santo Domingo and miss out on certainly one of its best-kept secrets and techniques.

Literally IN the town lies a small however beautiful cave system which you could go to for subsequent to nothing, and when you can’t swim within the blue waters, the views rival any cenote that you just would possibly discover in Mexico.

The Tres Ojos (Three Eyes) National Park is a must-see when visiting Santo Domingo and makes a simple cease on the best way to the airport should you can organize together with your driver to attend about half-hour for you. The value for entry is about $2, and also you climb down and expertise the swimming pools and caves surrounding you.

While not very giant, this place is unbelievable, and you are feeling 1,000,000 miles from the freeway that really runs proper subsequent to the park.

To attain essentially the most photogenic spot, carry a few further {dollars} with you. I gained’t spoil the shock, however let’s simply say there are ropes and a floating raft concerned.