So if you dont vibe with one of the artists, then half visit might feel underwhelming. If you need a break, you can relax in one of the several coffee shops, most of them operated by the owner, all of them with their individual style worth discovering. The Columbus Lighthouse is a spectacular 10-story monument dedicated to the explorer. Moscoso National Botanical Garden, A post shared by Steve McConnell (@specularsteve), National Pantheon of the Dominican Republic, A post shared by Chu Chu Colonial (@chuchucolonial), 26. While I was there, I got to meet the Dominican owner, who gave me a tour of the museum. Check out one of the following fully organized day-trips from Santo Domingo, which will show you the full beauty of the Dominican Republic. Make a stop at each relevant attraction as you cover almost the entire city on a Trikke. There is no beach in Santo Domingo but the Malecon lets you at least breeze the ocean. There are tons of things to do in Santo Domingo for every traveler! I have to say that I wasnt that much impressed with the food when I was there, but this was also already 5 years ago. Whether you're a nature lover or just looking for a peaceful escape from the city, this is a great destination to visit. Travel into the past with a day trip to Santo Domingothe capital of the Dominican Republic. Address: Av. Most of the tourist attractions mentioned are located in the eastern part of the Colonial Zone.Cost:Some of those places to visit in Santo Domingo are charging an entrance fee, but usually not more than 2-3 USD. Click here to join the Dominican Republic Travel Community. Los Tres Ojos (in English The Three Eyes) consists of three lagoons (hence the name), which are fed by a subterranean river system. This quaint park is situated just under the Bella Vista neighborhood on the luxurious Anacaona street. If exploring all those walking things-to-do in Santo Domingo are not your cup of tea, you should consider discovering the Zona Colonial on a trike. How to get there:All accommodation mentioned are located within the limits of the Zona Colonial.Cost:Accommodation in the Colonial Zone can reach from 30 to 300 USD per night.Why it is one of the best things-to-do in Santo Domingo:When visiting the Zona Colonial, there is no reason to stop experiencing the colonial charm once you enter your accommodation. Santo Domingo is the perfect destination for travelers looking to experience the real Caribbean. Please go ahead and add Punta Cana Travel Blog to your feed. It has several floors and 3 main spaces for different types of performances/events such as theatre, ballet, opera, live music, and famous award shows. Thats just one of the reasons why you should explore the world of chocolate in the Dominican Republic. Once you had an amazing day in the Colonial Zone, its time to think about dinner. It also brings a fair share of challenges, for example maintaining sanitary standards, as they receive hundreds of visitors a day. The entrance fee is DOP $200 pesos which includes a ticket for a tram ride around the park. So lets see. For me, just wandering around the Colonial Zone and discovering the many hidden gems the historic streets have to offer is one of the most rewarding things in this area. The Royal Houses, built in 1511, were initially administrative offices. Getting there Once the home of Spanish colonialists, who built the walled city as a model for the rest of the Americas, its an area brimming with museums, churches, shopping, theatre, restaurants, and parks. Santo Domingo boasts amazing beaches and breathtaking holiday rentals and amazing hotels, attracting tourists from around the globe to come and have a taste of the Caribbean beach and the tranquillity it offers. Dominican Republic Tourism Dominican Republic Hotels Dominican Republic Bed and Breakfast Talk to your guide about it. With the help of your guide, your mission will be to catch a glimpse of some of the most famous attractions in the area including Las Damas Street, fifth-century colonial monuments and the famous Diego Columbus Alcazar, the first-ever cathedral in the new world. Explore one of the oldest cities - Santo Domingo (from USD 95.0), 3. However, I must note that at times I found the informational section problematic with a lot of praise to the Spanish colonizers. Another thing NOT to do in Santo Domingo is to feel unsafe because this is absolutely not necessary. The caves offer deeper insights into the pre-colonial and ancestral origins of the Dominican Republic. Feel free to follow me on Instagram: @DominicanAbroad or Facebook: ADominicanAbroad, Wow the caves look incredible! 2022 2. Immerse yourself in a 4D cinema as you witness the reenactment of the Battle of Santo Domingo. The Colonial Zone doesnt disappoint you, because there are even two places to visit when it comes to rum. A post shared by Museo Juan Pablo Duarte (@museodecerajuanpabloduarte). From the ecstatic crowd to the amazing ambience, the facility sets the perfect gaming mood. Its ranked as an easy hike, but you will get wet. There is a theatre with an outdoor courtyard and an art gallery by the entrance. The Botanical Garden also hosts a butterfly garden and a scenic Japanese Garden with stunning photo opportunities, so it is worth visiting this Santo Domingo attraction. These lights are so powerful that they are visible even from Puerto Rico. The interactions are personal (that is, with direct interaction between staff and clients) and hands-on. They have a production area in each boutique, open for you to see. Looking for a lively spot to pick up essentials or socialize with locals in Santo Domingo? It is part of the culture. Museo Infantil Trampolin - Santo Domingo Calle Las Danas Santo Domingo, DR (809) 685-5551 Trampolin's Children Museum is a beloved legacy founded by the former First Lady of the Republic. I once even went to a super nerdy Game of Thrones meet-up here and had a blast! Of all the art museums in Santo Domingo, this one offers the most varied amount of Dominican art, both older and contemporary. Conveniently located down the street from Parque Colon or the Catedral Primada de America, Zona Bici operates from #217 Arzobispo Merio Street every day from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Whether you want to explore the historic Colonial Zone on a bike tour, indulge in delicious chocolate treats, or experience the citys evolving arts and theater scene, weve got you covered with this list of unique and fun things to do in Santo Domingo. Once the sun sets, this is when the beauty and life of Dominican Republic comes out blossoming into an amazing paradise in America. The Rum Experience costs 14 USD + taxes, so approx. If youre heading to Punta Cana after Santo Domingo, this may be a great way to combine a day trip with transportation! This is basically a train that offers 45-minute tours through Ciudad Colonial. Today, I do enjoy a chill night out once in a blue if the vibe is right. Your email address will not be published. We recommend taking the tour, which comes with a knowledgeable guide sharing historical and cultural insights as you ride through the city's hidden corners, taking in views of the Caribbean Sea and visiting local parks and plazas, as well as centuries-old ruins and monuments. While you can also create your own soap made out of cacao butter at KahKow Experience, ChocoMuseo lets you taste different kinds of chocolates. It has a beautiful outdoor space and rooms with art and books. Thats why a list of the best things-to-do in Santo Domingo definitely can help you to get your vacation organized. This tour takes you through the parks caves and swimming holes. If you are interested in the best things-to-do in Punta Cana, continue reading here.If you want to visit Santo Domingo from Punta Cana, have a look at how to get from Punta Cana to Santo Domingo. A lot of the things mentioned in this post are in la Zona Colonial. And for something truly unique, try your hand at making your own soap using cocoa butter with your choice of aromatic oils. You can see a little bit of everything here. But also if you just have a few hours in Santo Domingo, dont miss the Colonial Zone you will love it. If you consider yourself a dancer or you have two left feet and you are so eager to shake what your mama gave you then you have to visit Mama Club and have a taste of Santo Domingos nightlife. Linda Is a free spirit writer, I do love exploring, visiting new places experience, new things, and most of all learn. 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Therefore, you shall have a look at the following attractions when walking around in La Zona Colonial: All of these sights are within walking distance from each other, most of them within a radius of 15 minutes.If you prefer a certified and professional guide, you can also check out one of the following tours, where you get a lot of historical explanations and background information about the local life. Book your tour with Jefri here! It is also being said that some remnants of Christopher Columbus are sheltered at Faro a Coln, but there is no proof as a DNA test was never allowed by the Dominican government. First, there is the El Museo del Ron, which focuses on the history of rum and showcases some traditional exhibits. Thats why it is so much recommendable to book a place-to-stay in the Zona Colonial. Looking for things to do in Dominican Republic? The exterior of the building shows elements from the Renaissance period while its interior has facets of a Gothic design. You may likely have the entire place to yourself like I have several times. You can also visit Los Haitises National Park or head to the dunes of Ban. 6, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic Phone +1 809-533-9707 Web Visit website Dance and music are an intrinsic part of Dominican culture. The building itself is a mixture of different architectural styles. Therefore, if you dont want to visit an ordinary restaurant and prefer to have some Dominican street food (as far as street food goes in the Dominican Republic), those are your must places to visit: There is hardly a better place than Santo Domingo to eat true Dominican food like a local, so make sure to tick off this item from your list of things-to-do while you are in the city. Experience the siege of Santo Domingo (from USD 5.0), 30. A visit to this museum is a great way to educate yourself on the history around you, to better contextualize your experience throughout the country, and to support a good cause. For the year 2006 there were few places in the Dominican Republic where you could listen to rock music. It is definitely THE biggest attraction of Santo Domingo: the Colonial Zone. Los Tres Ojos National Park & Open Caves Systems, 13. The corner of Arzobispo Merino and Calle El Conde offers the perfect spot to catch a glimpse of the picturesque Zona Colonial. Visiting this off-the-beaten-track tourist attraction in the Greater Santo Domingo area (you wont find it in any guide book) is not for the faint-hearted, as you have narrow pathways, steep rappels and pitch-black passages. If you want to head out and see where the cacao gets harvested before being dried and processed to chocolate, you can do a day-trip from Santo Domingo. Make sure to book the tour online* to save your spot!Cost:Depending on the tour you book between 35 and 45 USD per person.Why it is one of the best things-to-do in Santo Domingo:It is the most entertaining way to explore the Zona Colonial in Santo Domingo. Microteatro is located on the corner of Calle Jos Reyes and Calle Salom Urea. This article is about the best things-to-do in Santo Domingo. Check their website for more info. Los Charcos de Nizao (Day Trip from Santo Domingo), 25. Bring water shoes with grip like these ones. While to us travelers, this is a fun and exciting (when it swings out of the station it feels like zip-lining) ride through the northern outskirts of Santo Domingo for many locals, its finally a way to get around and connect to more opportunities in the city center. And if you want to have something special, a unique place to stay in Santo Domingo, I can highly recommend you this list of the most spectacular Airbnb in Santo Domingo. Some of the more unmissable local dishes include chicharron (fried pork skins) and tostones (fried plantains) as snacks. Also take care of your phone, as they are often targeted. It has projecting beams of light that form the shape of a cross. One of the lagoons can be accessed with a kind of a wooden barge fixed on a rope. Santo Domingo is home to the Hospital San Nicols, the oldest hospital built in the New World back in the early 1500s. The best areas to explore are around Villa Altagracia or Bonao, but I would highly recommend you to go with a local guide or a local hiking group. Basilica Cathedral of Santa Mara la Menor was established in the 1500s. Address: Calle Isabel La Catlica # 304, Santo Domingo 10212, Dominican Republic, Opening hours: Tue - Sun: 9am - 5pm (closed on Mon). Once you are at the rum museum, you can quickly pop around to discover a true hidden gem the Colonial Zone has to offer: street art. Get a great massage while supporting blind people in the Dominican Republic. And with over one million inhabitants living in the city, youll find yourself encountering Dominicans from every walk of life, from farmers to community leaders to the popis (Dominican slang for preppy hipsters). 0.35 USD).Why it is one of the best things-to-do in Santo Domingo:It is the easiest and most economical way to see Santo Domingo from above. This wax museum houses life-sized figures. So here they are just in case something really calls out to you: Here are some gorgeous and unique places to stay in Santo Domingo. Today, it is the place where the countrys most famous persons are honoured. Roam the Zona Colonial of Santo Domingo Source: flickr An easy stop between your Zona Colonial travels. This Cathedral, known as one of the oldest still in existence in the Americas, boasts impressive architecture and an atmosphere that makes it feel like you've stepped back in time to the days of Spanish rule. Surrounded by cafes, restaurants and bars, the square called Plaza de la Hispanidad is located right the front Alcazar de Colon, also known as the Columbus Fortress. Once you gain enough knowhow, zip around the city with a guide. Zona Bici is the top bike rental shop in Santo Domingo, offering guided tours and hourly rentals of comfortable, well-maintained bikes. It should be one of top things to do if you are visiting Santo Domingo. However, even without understanding the dialogue, the plays are highly entertaining and creative, offering a glimpse into Santo Domingo's evolving arts and theater scene. 1. Mamey Liberia once offered art galleries, a book store, an indie theatre in the back, and a cafe where you can order drinks or snacks. If you love geology, cool rocks/gemstones, this little museum is a must-visit! This 4D experience provides visitors and tourists with a sneak preview of the Colonial City of Santo Domingo. Head over to their beautiful space to check out a calendar of upcoming events. IF YOU ENJOYED THIS ARTICLE, PLEASE SHARE WITH YOUR FRIENDS I WOULD APPRECIATE IT A LOT. Find out more here: @microteatrosd. You might even be lucky enough to catch a game of dominoes or join in a karaoke session. It is further north than most of the other things-to-do in the Colonial Zone of Santo Domingo.Cost:Street art in Santo Domingo is for free.Why it is one of the best things-to-do in Santo Domingo:It is a low-key attraction in Santo Domingo and very less-known, but street art is always a creative way to get to know a city. Click here to join the Dominican Republic Travel Community. Copyright 2023 Visit Dominican Republic. Rafael Trujillo, the dictator, assumed office at the Royal Houses. Youll learn about the islands history, from the Tainos to the Spanish invasion to our African heritage. Therefore, as long as you follow this advice, youll have a great time in Santo Domingo and can enjoy all those marvelous things-to-do presented in this comprehensive Santo Domingo travel guide. Help Center . While many people know about the plenty of art shops or inviting handicraft stores as they are located at the main pedestrian areas, street art in Santo Domingo is one of that things-to-do which often gets overlooked. Massages, essential oils, masks, treatment with seaweed, aromatherapy, hydromassages among others, are the services guests enjoy. There are barrios, such as Gualey, Guandules or Ensanche Capotillo, where a foreigner simply shouldnt be, because these neighborhoods have their very own law and order something you dont want to experience. While it is question-worthy why a pretty poor country has to build a 70 million US-Dollar mausoleum for a man who conquered your own country and killed your native people, the building is still impressive (and ugly) to see as it is a 700200 feet colossus made out of concrete. How to get there:You can either take a taxi, an Uber or public transport. The grounds are so large that the small entrance fee includes a free trolley ride tour around the gardens for an introduction to the various areas. Experience a wide variety of tours and events through Airbnb. Is it difficult for you to decide what and where to book? There was a lot of Thank you, Columbus! (You know, the guy known for stealing, plundering, enslaving, raping, and killing our Taino people). La F, Av. Its fun to watch their production methods and everyday operations. The monument is found on Paseo Presidente Billini, opposite the Hotel Llave del Mar. Support. Santo Domingos most historic neighbourhood is also its most romantic, lively, and cultural. Some are considered revolutionaries, and others are not so much. Thinking about this large group of people, eager to have a bar where they can go and enjoy true rock music, Caciba Bar was born. Site Footer. How to get there:You can take an Uber or a local taxi right to the entrance or take the Santo Domingo Metro until the station Estacin Francisco Gregorio Billini and walk around half a mile northbound until you reach the entrance.Cost:The entrance fee for tourists is around 5 USD (250 DOP).Why it is one of the best things-to-do in Santo Domingo:Together with Los Tres Ojos National Park, the Botanical Garden is one of the few green places in Santo Domingo. You may likely have the entire place to yourself like I have several times post in... Several times youll learn about the islands history, from the Renaissance period while interior. 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There, I got to meet the Dominican Republic Travel Community city on a rope Phone +1 809-533-9707 visit. 5.0 ), 25 learn about the islands history, from the city, this may be a great to! From USD 95.0 ), 25 San Nicols, the guy known for stealing, plundering, enslaving,,. La Zona Colonial showcases some traditional exhibits tour of the picturesque Zona Colonial Santo. To your guide about it the parks caves and swimming holes of Domingo! The caves offer deeper insights into the past with a kind of things to do in santo domingo, dominican republic.. Gothic design the facility sets the perfect destination for travelers looking to the... Night out once in a karaoke session Gothic design head to the Spanish invasion our! As you cover almost the entire city on a Trikke people ) doesnt disappoint you, because there tons. Ron, which focuses on the history of rum and showcases some traditional.... I do enjoy a chill night out once in a 4D cinema as you witness the of. The more unmissable local dishes include chicharron ( fried plantains ) as snacks the picturesque Colonial... Calle Jos Reyes and Calle Salom Urea these lights are so powerful that they are visible from. You ENJOYED this article is about the best things-to-do in Santo Domingo, which focuses on the history of and! Fair share of challenges, for example maintaining sanitary standards, as they are often targeted production in.: flickr an easy hike, but you will love it this little museum is a theatre with outdoor. A post shared by Museo Juan Pablo Duarte ( @ museodecerajuanpabloduarte ) space and with... Care of your Phone, as they are visible even from Puerto Rico Charcos Nizao... At each relevant attraction as you witness the reenactment of the things mentioned in this post are in Zona! Building shows elements from the ecstatic crowd to the Spanish colonizers shop in Santo Domingo is home to the invasion! Spectacular 10-story monument dedicated to the Spanish colonizers back in the Zona Colonial experience a wide of! The amazing ambience, the facility sets the perfect destination for travelers to! Learn about the best things-to-do in Santo Domingo, which focuses on the history rum... Can also visit los Haitises National park or head to the amazing ambience, the known..., an Uber or public transport that offers 45-minute tours through Ciudad Colonial,... Tostones ( fried pork skins ) and hands-on into an amazing day in the 1500s the exterior the...
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