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 yr 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 pattern exhibits 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 value a have a look at as effectively.

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 constantly inhabited European metropolis in all the Americas. Here you’ll find 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 ought to 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 seaside areas from Santo Domingo is simple by automotive, and public buses are low-cost and comfy as effectively. 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 recommended for vacationers.

Note: Santo Domingo is a large 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 straightforward stroll to most of the essential websites, and have the ability to pop again to your lodging for a day quiet down earlier than heading again out for some unbelievable nightlife.

Santo Domingo will get scorching, as one may 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 various lodging choices with swimming pools, good for a day quiet down.

Zona Colonial shouldn’t be all that enormous, however fortunately there are quite a few leases and boutique accommodations right here. Be cautious when selecting the place to remain, as some properties record themselves as being simply exterior the Colonial Quarter, and some of those areas are usually not locations to stroll round at night time.

Note: I’m not saying they’re ‘dangerous’ per se, however that they may not make the common traveler really feel as comfy 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 attainable, 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 many others. Tales from precise vacationers provides you with a significantly better image of the realm than the property description typically.

There are different areas of this massive metropolis that some vacationers favor to remain, corresponding to Zona Universitaria, Gazcue, or the Malecon space, however truthfully, in case you are right here to see the Zona Colonial, it’s greatest to remain right here and save journey time.

There are additionally some city seaside areas right here you may select, nevertheless it’s doubtless that you can be heading to one of many extra well-known seaside 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, until you might be glued to a guidebook, it’s greatest to affix one of many metropolis’s many strolling excursions. With a information, you may hear the historical past and get a really feel for the actual heartbeat of this space.

Depending on once you go to, you’ll doubtless see A LOT of tour teams, many 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 practice that put-puts its means round among the streets with a recorded audio description of the sights. This is an affordable and enjoyable method to see a bit with out breaking a sweat.

TIP- take this little practice to scout out good photograph spots that you may 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 selection right here, and there’s something for everybody’s funds and tastes. Ranging from rooftops, historic buildings, and newer developments, you 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 may sip and overlook the primary church within the Americas.

For beer lovers, there are additionally a couple of very cool breweries scattered in colourful outdated homes within the Zona Colonial. So, be sure you search these out in case you are right here to pattern among 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 may tear your self away from the meals and drinks, there are various cultural issues to see and do right here as effectively.

Parks corresponding to Independence and Columbus are value a go to, as are the numerous museums and historic websites to discover.

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

Santo Domingo additionally has the Caribbean’s first city cable automotive, and whereas its essential objective is to make the day by day lives of residents simpler, vacationers are welcome to get pleasure from it as effectively.

Take the clear and environment friendly subway or an Uber to achieve the station and revel in a birds of view of the actual 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 one in every of its best-kept secrets and techniques.

Literally IN town lies a small however gorgeous cave system that you may go to for subsequent to nothing, and when you can not swim within the blue waters, the views rival any cenote that you simply may discover in Mexico.

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

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

To attain probably 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.