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Things to do in Santo Domingo

Our most recommended things to do in Santo Domingo

Punta Cana: Santo Domingo Day Trip with Tickets and Lunch

1. Punta Cana: Santo Domingo Day Trip with Tickets and Lunch

Santo Domingo is a magical city, full of history, culture and amazing landscapes. Explore the oldest Capital of the “New” World, Santo Domingo, the first city founded in America. This sightseeing tour shows you a city full of history and culture. A great activity for the whole family. - We will pick you up at your Hotel to start an incredible trip to Santo Domingo, during the trip you will see incredible details about the Culture of the Dominican Republic. - Upon arrival in Santo Domingo you will visit the incredible cenotes of Los Tres Ojos National Park, especially natural and magical. - You will visit the most important monuments of the City: The 1st Cathedral of America, the Alcázar de Colón and the National Pantheon, El Faro a Colón. - We will take a walk through the Colonial Zone, a romantic street, the first in America, “The Ladies”. Enjoying an ancient but picturesque panoramic view. It operates every day. Its approximate duration is 10 hours.

Santo Domingo: Ciudad Colonial Neighborhood Guided Bike Tour

2. Santo Domingo: Ciudad Colonial Neighborhood Guided Bike Tour

Discover the Colonial Zone in the most fun and authentic way covering more ground in less time. During the tour we share both historic and cultural insights riding by the most beautiful hidden corners with plenty of instagramable locations. It´s the first thing you should do when you get in town so you get the most out of your stay. In two hours we will ride through the sea side for panoramic view of the city while enjoying the Caribbean sea breeze, visit all the main parks and plazas as well as centuries old ruins, churches and all sorts of small local businesses that express the best of our culture. By the end of the tour you will feel like a local, knowing all the best spots to go eat, drink, dance and shop. Come ride with us and experience the best of Santo Domingo. Other things to note It's a 7 KM tour adapted for all ages. Show up 15 min before for the tour.

From Punta Cana: Santo Domingo Day Tour with National Park

3. From Punta Cana: Santo Domingo Day Tour with National Park

Explore the highlights of Santo Domingo, the oldest city in the Americas, a great option for first-time visitors and history buffs. Visit the caves of Three Eyes National Park, the Columbus Lighthouse, the Colonial Walled Zone, and the National Presidential Palace, traveling between attractions with ease. Immerse yourself in the cultural and historical heritage of Santo Domingo with this full-day tour of the capital. Follow a guide on a walk past important monuments in the Colonial Zone, a Unesco World Heritage site. Round-trip travel from Punta Cana is easy with hotel pickup and drop-off.

From Punta Cana: Santo Domingo Full-Day Trip with Lunch

4. From Punta Cana: Santo Domingo Full-Day Trip with Lunch

Join a full-day experience leaving from Bávaro and Bayahibe through the new Autovía del Este. Walk in the cobblestoned historic core of Santo Domingo and visit the cathedral. Observe iconic spots like the Alcázar de Colón Palace, National Pantheon, and Los Tres Ojos. After arriving in Santo Domingo, head to your first stop, the open-air limestone cave and lakes of Los Tres Ojos. Continue the tour until you reach the Colón Lighthouse. Listen to its history and take photos of the view around you. Stroll around the coffee-lined Plaza de España and Colonial Zone. See the Alcázar de Colón palace, now one of the city’s many museums, displaying medieval and Renaissance art. Learn about the past and present of the oldest city in the Americas. Stop for a buffet lunch in a restaurant in the Colonial Zone. Pay homage to the First Cathedral of the Americas. Move on to the first street, Calle de Las Damas, and other colonial monuments from the 15th and 16th centuries. Take in a panoramic view of the modern city, residential areas, and the Presidential Palace. Enjoy free time to take a walk around El Conde where you can see old buildings or go shopping.

From Santo Domingo: Whale Watching & Cayo Levantado

5. From Santo Domingo: Whale Watching & Cayo Levantado

Enjoy a scenic cruise with whale watching in Cayo Levantado. Leave Santo Domingo and take in beautiful coastal views from the boat and stop in Cayo Levantado Island for lunch and exploration time. Begin the tour by meeting the guide at your hotel or accommodation in Santo Domingo around 5:30 am, and drive to the Sabana de La Mar Port. Board the boat and set out for the whale-watching portion of the tour. Watch the whales in their natural habitat from the boat, and enjoy seeing these magnificent creatures up close. Spot marine species like humpback whales as they migrate to the area each year. Travel to Cayo Levantado Island to stop for a typical Dominican lunch with local foods, and take a stroll around the island, play volleyball, or relax in the shade. Return to Sabana de La Mar at 4:30, and return to Santo Domingo from there.

From Bavaro: Santo Domingo Colonial City Tour

6. From Bavaro: Santo Domingo Colonial City Tour

Take a trip back in time, where you will enjoy an interesting historical recount. Visit the most emblematic museums of the Dominican capital, with architectural designs dating from the time of the discovery of America. Travel in the comfort of an air-conditioned bus while a professional guide shares their knowledge about the history of European colonization in America. After your hotel pickup, head to 3 Eyes National Park, a complex of underground caves and lagoons initially inhabited by the Taino Indians. Next, set out to visit the Colonial Zone, the first permanent European settlement in America. Founded in 1502 by the Spanish colonizers, it has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.  Visit the first Cathedral of America, the Alcázar de Colón or the Palacio Virreinal de Don Diego. Get to know La Calle Las Damas, the first street on the island.  Enjoy panoramic visits to the National Palace and the Columbus Lighthouse, a monument built in memory of Christopher Columbus and where his remains rest.

From Punta Cana: Full-Day Santo Domingo City Tour

7. From Punta Cana: Full-Day Santo Domingo City Tour

During this tour, you will visit key sites, including: the caves at Three Eyes National Park, the Columbus Lighthouse, the walled Colonial Zone, and the National Presidential Palace. Travel between the attractions with ease in an air-conditioned coach. A traditional Dominican lunch is also included. Your tour starts with pickup from your hotel in Punta Cana in an air-conditioned coach. Travel about two and a half hours to Santo Domingo, the oldest city in the New World and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  Visit some of the most spectacular places in this rich colonial city, including Diego Colon’s Palace, the Holy Cathedral Primada, the Fortaleza, and the National Pantheon. Walk and take pictures in the Colonial Zone, starting at the Columbus Palace. Completed in 1514, this was the home of Christopher Columbus's son, Don Diego. From the Palace, the tour will go through the historic Plaza de Espana and on to Calle Las Damas (the first paved street in the New World). Keep walking to the National Pantheon where heroes were laid to rest. The colonial tour will culminate at the First Cathedral of the New World.

Santo Domingo: Historical City Tour

8. Santo Domingo: Historical City Tour

Here is where the first Cathedral was built, where the first Bishop was sanctified, where the first Governor resided, and where the first hospital opened. The city has a lot of cultural attributes and architectural sites of interest, like nowhere else on the Hispaniola island. The walking tour starts in the historic colonial part of the city, which is a recognized Unesco World Heritage Site. The trip is perfectly suited for all those wanting to learn more about the historical origins of the New World. During the stroll, visit the first Cathedral, the first univrsity, the fortress and the Palace of Justice. Enjoy a walk on Calle Las Damas, the first cobblestone street, and see the first hospital, the first shipyard and the first viceregal palace of the American Continent. Explore some of the most important museums, squares and landmarks and take this special opportunity to take some unique pictures.

Santo Domingo: Los Haitises National Park Day Trip

9. Santo Domingo: Los Haitises National Park Day Trip

This unparalleled tour offers you the chance to discover the largest nature preserve in the Dominican Republic. Witness the jewel of the ecotourism trips on the Caribbean. How many national parks have the Dominican Republic? Where is Los Haitises National Park? What’s the meaning of Haitises? Which kind of nature can you find in Los Haitises? Which is the connection between Jurassic Park movie and Los Haitises? Why you should go soon to Los Haitises?. You will discover the beautiful natural dreamlike scenery of marine and mangrove forests in the Bay of San Lorenzo. An unforgettable day of adventure that will immerse you in the true essence of what the Dominican Republic has to give. Get ready to experience the Dominican Republica from a different perspective. A local charismatic guide will reveal interesting facts about Los Haitises National Park.

Santo Domingo: Chocolate Tour + Optional Workshops

10. Santo Domingo: Chocolate Tour + Optional Workshops

Start your experience at the Holographic theater where different ghosts from the world of chocolate come to life and tell the whole story of chocolate from the beginning of the time. Find out how cocoa reached Hispaniola and traveled to the rest of the world. Next, continue to the Cocoa Plantation where you will be able to sample some cocoa fruit and feel as if you are in a real forest. Head over to the Fermentation Room where the guide will show you all the processes of fermentation and dried and its importance in creating quality chocolate. After that, be directed to the Sensory Room and be challenged to use your 5 senses for each of the ingredients that make up awesome chocolate. If you guess right, you will have the chance to taste different chocolate percentages of KahKow Organic Chocolate. Finish the tour in the glass box on the Spanish Patio where the tour guide will explain how all the machines in the factory work to produce the final product. Upgrade your experience by adding on an optional workshop to the end of your tour. In the Soap Workshop, learn how to make your own soap with a cacao butter formula made by the workers at La Esmeralda. Add a special touch with your preferred aroma. Alternatively, choose the Chocolate Workshop and create your own chocolate bar.

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Frequently asked questions about Santo Domingo

What top attractions are a must-see in Santo Domingo?

Insider tips: Planning a trip to Santo Domingo

The capital of the Dominican Republic is often overlooked when organizing a dreamy trip to this paradise island, but according to travel blogger Check Out Sam there is plenty to experience here too! After living here for several months, he knows the in- and outs of the city and shares his best tips with you all.

What should I do on my first trip to Santo Domingo?

Head out to the Zona Colonial and explore the beautiful squares, colorful streets and rich history of Santo Domingo. Parque Colón is -in my opinion- one of the cosiest places in the old town. Plaza España is bigger and much more touristy, but oozes holiday vibes. From the latter you also get some superb views over the rest of Santo Domingo.

What are some hidden gems to see in Santo Domingo?

Want to explore Santo Domingo from above? Hop on El Teleferico! This cable car takes you along a very cheap sightseeing tour above some of the many neighborhoods of the capital city. If you want to see nature, but don't want to venture out too far away from the city, I suggest you head to Los Tres Ojos National Park. Climb down the limestone caves and see the three underground lakes of Santo Domingo.

How much time should I spend in Santo Domingo?

You can see the highlights of Santo Domingo in two days and in that time you also have enough time to relax and unwind at some of the cozy restaurants or bars. Most sights and activities take place in the Zona Colonial. If you want to organize day trips to Punta Cana, Samana or elsewhere, keep in mind that you will at least lose one full day.

What food is Santo Domingo known for? 

I'm a sucker for mangú (plantain mash) and tostones (fried plantains), but there are many more Dominican specialties where you can feast on. Make sure to try some of the spicy chicken recipes. I have no idea how they do it, but they always are tasty!

What is the best way to get around Santo Domingo?

If you only stay in the historical center, you can easily walk everywhere. If you also want to discover other parts of the city, make use of Uber. It's cheap, reliable and safe.

What are the best months to visit Santo Domingo?

Try to come outside the summer, because that also means hurricane season. Around April and May there are also less tourists, so if you want to avoid the crowds this is the time to come. During winter, there will be more visitors escaping the cold in their home countries.

What are the best neighborhoods for food? 

In the Zona Colonial you will find restaurants that cater to every taste. They are often a bit more high end (but still dirt cheap!) and thus offer clean and original seating areas, but also delicious food. Also worth mentioning: the cocktails in the historical city center are great pretty much everywhere you go!!

What are the best neighborhoods for shopping?

The best shopping possibilities are outside the Zona Colonial (unless you want to buy souvenirs). Around the Piattini neighborhood there are a lot of malls where you can find boutique stores, famous brands, but also crafts, electronic shops, etc. Make sure to visit Agora Mall: the biggest shopping mall in the Caribbean.

What neighborhood should I stay in when I visit Santo Domingo?

Zona Colonial. You'll be closest to most sights, wake up in a true Caribbean setting every morning and be in a very safe area.

What is the best family-friendly thing to do in Santo Domingo?

Go to Parque Colón and jump into the Chu Chu Colonial. This little train takes you along the most famous sights in the historical city center and gives you fun facts along the way.

What is the best thing to do in Santo Domingo for solo travelers?

Plan a few day trips (or longer!) to other regions of the Dominican Republic. It's the best way to meet other solo travelers and also a great way to explore the beauty of the Dominican Republic. I recommend going to Samana (Los Haitises, whale watching, El Limon Waterfall, ...) or beautiful Puerto Plata.

What is the best thing to do in Santo Domingo for couples?

Enjoy one of the many rooftop bars in the Zona Colonial while waiting for a famous Caribbean sunset. It really can't get more romantic!

What are the best areas for outdoor activities around Santo Domingo?

Near Santo Domingo, Los Tres Ojos National Park is the only area where you'll find some unspoiled nature. If you don't mind doing a day trip (but preferably longer), head to the Samana Peninsula for stunning hikes and spectacular wildlife. To the west (bordering Haïti), you can find the most unspoiled nature of the island.

What are the best beaches around Santo Domingo?

You are in the Dominican Republic, baby. Most beaches here are stunning! But, admittedly, the prettiest ones are not so close to Santo Domingo. If you don't mind taking the Uber or bus a little further: head to Boca Chica or Juan Dolio. Both beaches have pearly white sand and see-through water. Just what you want to see during a holiday in the Caribbean!

Other Sightseeing Options in Santo Domingo

Want to discover all there is to do in Santo Domingo? Click here for a full list.

What people are saying about Santo Domingo

Overall rating

4.0 / 5

based on 290 reviews

I know up was right in time. Gave us plenty of time to browse and visit specific spots. Printed out key pieces of historical significance and was very friendly with everyone.

We visited a lot of interesting places in Santo Domingo, and traveled through the Dominican country side. A must do if you stay at Punta Cana !

Well organized and informative. Beautiful sights. Delicious Dominican lunch.

We loved it! The guide was so helpful and he answered all of our questions.

Excellent tour. Excellent guide. I recommend it without any reservations