However, this museum is easy to pop into because it is conveniently located in the same plaza (Plaza de la Cultura) as the following other Santo Domingo points of interest: Entrance is $100 pesos per person (less than $2 USD). Before heading out for lunch to one of the traditional Dominican restaurants, make sure you shop for souvenirs at a local market. Start your visit by making your own chocolate, choosing from a variety of shapes, flavors, and toppings to create your own unique confection. BOOK THE TRES OJOS TOUR HERE. Rafael Trujillo, the dictator, assumed office at the Royal Houses. Address: Av. You'll find them on street corners all around the country, with some estimates suggesting that there is one colmado for every 188 inhabitants. Im renting a car in Punta Cana and plan to drive to Santo Domingo one day during the trip. Go on a Trikke ride along the streets of Santo Domingo (from USD 46.0). Experience the siege of Santo Domingo (from USD 5.0), 30. This elegant restaurant is located inside a cave, which is part of the natural rock formations at the recreational park Parque Mirador del Sur. Museo Fernando Pena Defillo is a gorgeous museum and art gallery located smack dab in the middle of the Colonial Zone. The National Zoological Park of the Dominican Republic suffices an educational need in the country. His daughter is also Joarla Caridad, who makes gorgeous craft larimar and amber jewelry. Awarded as a UNESCO world heritage it awaits you with its ancient cobblestone streets, centuries-old buildings and creative art scene. See the highlights of 500-year-old Colonial Zone (from USD 499.0), 5. A post shared by Judy JJ (@judz_jj) on Mar 9, 2019 at 6:52pm PST. But also if you just have a few hours in Santo Domingo, dont miss the Colonial Zone you will love it. It highlights his fight for freedom from Haiti. Right in the Colonial Zone, you have two possibilities: you can either visit the KahKow Experience or the Choco Museo. Youll need to take public transportation or an uber to get there, which will take around 30 minutes (depending on traffic). Check their website for more info. The tour is hosted by two Dominican locals and lasts just an hour and a half for $20. They are performing each Sunday (once Covid-19 is over) at the historical ruins of San Francisco in the Zona Colonial, which gives it a very special atmosphere that is hard to describe. Moreover, you can pop into the many shops and restaurants if youre still hungry or want some specialty Asian goods to buy. beautiful. Escape the hectic city and immerse yourself in the tranquil beauty of a natural oasis right in the middle of Santo Domingo. It exposes you to its 500-years-old history, thanks to the audio guides available in seven different languages. There are tons of things to do in Santo Domingo for every traveler! Founded in 1976 and named after the accomplished Dominican botanist, Dr. Rafael M. Moscoso National Botanical Garden sits on a large piece of land covering 400 acres (160 hectares). Don't miss the serene Japanese Garden, where you can take in the breathtaking view and capture the perfect photo for your Instagram feed. 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. My Blog Post: Heres why and how to visit the Three Eyes National Park! The massages Ive gotten have been great here. Microteatro: 15-Minute Plays on Dominican Life, 7. Your email address will not be published. How to get there:The best is to take an Uber or a taxi to get to El Meson de la Cava, particularly when going there for dinner.Cost:Calculate with 25 to 30 USD per person for a 2-course dinner with a glass of wine.Why it is one of the best things-to-do in Santo Domingo:This restaurant offers a unique location in Santo Domingo. Santo Domingo, Distrito Nacional, Dominican Republic. How to get there:Take the Metro until the station Eduard Brito, where you can connect directly with the cable car (Telefrico).Cost:A ride with the cable car costs 20 DOP (approx. With a list of these amazing places to visit and things to do, your stay in Santo Domingo should be an experience to relive. While I have written an extensive hiking guide for Punta Cana, it is a bit more difficult for Santo Domingo. They also have a rooftop terrace with a fantastic view over the basilica, the oldest church in the Americas. The park is the right place to check out birds and vegetation native to the island. Thats just one of the reasons why you should explore the world of chocolate in the Dominican Republic. Of course, this type of mentality is not unique to just this place in the Dominican Republic or the world. Enjoy the physical and virtual world of 1586 city invasion of Santo Domingo lead by Sir Francis Drake. The movie is translated into nine languages for guests to enjoy. Bringing all these experiences together i have managed to acquire a sixth (Do a quick search on the following sites). They have a production area in each boutique, open for you to see. Another thing NOT to do in Santo Domingo is to feel unsafe because this is absolutely not necessary. However, I can understand that sometimes a day-trip is the only option to explore a region or a country. 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Onno's Zona Colonial 92 Bars & Clubs Open now By 55jannellec The music and DJ were on point. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The garden also offers plenty of other attractions to explore, including the Herbarium, the Ecological Museum, and the Endemic Plants area. Once your belly is full, it is time to head out to enjoy the vibrant nightlife of the Colonial Zone of course only once Covid-19 is over and under control. Volunteer at an eco-village, immerse yourself in the jungle, and even sleep in a tree house! It's an untouched route in deep nature, my favorite in DR and you try the authentic Dominican cuisine. https://www.colonialzone-dr.com/calle-hostos/. See Gothic Ruins and Birds at Hospital San Nicols. 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. Another Santo Domingo museum that I initially felt kind of meh about, but in hindsight, I think it is one of the better ones. Related: My Beginners Guide to Living in Santo Domingo. Walk through the historic Plaza de Espaa as you find your way to the first paved street of Calle Las Damas. Dominican Abroad LLC is an Amazon, Booking, and Airbnb affiliate and thus we earn from qualifying purchases you make at no extra cost to you. Species such as the Hispaniolan woodpecker, Limpkin, and the West Indian Whistling-duck can be seen here among the lush and verdant vegetation. However, dont present an opportunity. One of the things I enjoyed most in Santo Domingo when leaving the Colonial Zone was walking along the so-called Malecn, the oceanfront promenade. I have to admit that the Pomier Caves are on my to-do-list for a long long time and I havent managed it so far to realize it, even many friends have been there and say it is an amazing thing-to-do, especially when looking for a quick (half-) day-trip from Santo Domingo. Whether you're a nature lover or just looking for a peaceful escape from the city, this is a great destination to visit. The Royal Houses, built in 1511, were initially administrative offices. Address: Av. The rest of the hike (4 hours round trip) consists of gorgeous natural pools enveloped by tall limestone cliffs and mountains. With all those offerings, you can easily spend days in the historic city center of Santo Domingo, which is why I even would rate it the top thing-to-do in the entire Dominican Republic when it comes to culture. Did you know that the Dominican Republic is the No. You see in most of the descriptions above that everything is walkable in the Colonial Zone, especially when you have an accommodation in the Colonial Zone. Address: Avenida de la Vega Real, Arroyo Hondo Distrito Nacional, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, A post shared by El Meson de la Cava (@mesondelacava). Address: Av Repblica de Colombia, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, Website: Dr. Rafael Ma. If you cant go in for a play, at least try to catch a glimpse of its neoclassical architectural magnificence in the beautiful Plaza de la Cultura. So sorry, I cant help you out with nightlife! Experience a wide variety of tours and events through Airbnb. How to get there:From Santo Domingo, it is approximately 30-45 minutes to reach Las Cuevas del Pomier. 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). 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. ChocoMuseo was designed to share knowledge about cacao. So if youre thinking of what to do in Santo Domingo Well, heres a little bit of everything for everyone in this vibrant capital. So imagine my delight when I found dozens of beautiful cafes from which to work and eat in Santo Domingo. The Botanical Garden is for sure not a top thing-to-do in Santo Domingo and therefore not a must-see if you are just in the city for a day or two. Explore the city's historic Colonial Zone in a super fun and authentic way, covering more ground and seeing more sights in less time. At that time, the nightlife was dominated by people who for some reason or the other preferred rock music. Check out Ciudad Colonial (Colonial City) (from USD 45.0), 29. But dont worry, there is hardly any chance that you visit those neighborhoods unintentionally. It gives you a good introduction to the importance of rum for the Dominican Republic, but it is more of a typical museum. This museum primarily honors those who have fought against oppression, such as the notorious dictatorship of Rafael Trujillo. 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. Your email address will not be published. LGBTQ+ friendly experience, vegetarian acommodating! While you can also create your own soap made out of cacao butter at KahKow Experience, ChocoMuseo lets you taste different kinds of chocolates. Even you might read a lot of stories about Santo Domingo, mentioning how dangerous Santo Domingo is, this is usually not true if you stick to the areas mentioned in this article of the best things-to-do in Santo Domingo, if you avoid the things explained in this section and if you dont get involved in any shady business (usually the top 3 causing problems are alcohol, sex and drugs). 55 places sorted by traveler favorites Clear all filters 2022 1. Located about 10 minutes by car from the popular Colonial Zone the 3 Eyes National Park is a nature reserve and open-air limestone cave system with a series of crystal-clear lakes known as the eyes. Completed in 1514, Columbus Palace was the home of Christopher Columbus son, Diego. 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Best places to visit in the Dominican Republic Head over to their beautiful space to check out a calendar of upcoming events. What is it: Housing a bar, caf, art gallery and bookshop, the hard-to-find Mamey Librera Caf is a welcome moment of calm from the bustling streets of Santo Domingo. Santo Domingo is the capital of the Dominican Republic, the most visited country in the Caribbean, and the oldest continuously inhabited European settlement in the Americas. If you come in the day, do not pass up on freshly made mango juice. So if youd like to practice your German in DR, this is likely the place to find some friends from Germany! Dropping into cafes to do some writing while eating is one of my favorite past times when traveling around the world. 1 thing-to-do in Santo Domingo. Zona Colonial 3,145 Points of Interest & Landmarks Open now By jennyhW8319JC The park provides a tranquil respite from the hustle and bustle of the busy city. Its an easy visit and takes about 20-45 minutes to complete. Santo Domingo is also the perfect launching pad for various day and side trips, making it an auspicious destination to stop by and recharge in between your travels throughout the Dominican Republic. 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. 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. The ingredients you require will be readily available at the home you will cook in. See our privacy policy for more information on how we use your data. There was a lot of Thank you, Columbus! (You know, the guy known for stealing, plundering, enslaving, raping, and killing our Taino people). Honestly, not my favorite museum in Santo Domingo. This is a vital means of everyday local transportation that helps Dominicans and our environment. Stop at the National Presidential Palace and enjoy the stunning views of the town centre. Another day begins with countless promises and plans in Santo Domingo, so after a filling breakfast that should . 41. My Beginners Guide to Living in Santo Domingo, favorite waterfalls in the Dominican Republic, this tour which includes another waterfall, Best Places In the Dominican Republic to Visit Beyond Punta Cana, 10 Reasons to Visit Monte Cristi in the Dominican Republic, Hiking Pico Duarte in the Dominican Alps: Conquering the Tallest Mountain in the Caribbean, How to Get to Bahia de las Aguilas from Santo Domingo via Public Transportation, I Caught the Dreaded Amoeba Parasite in DR: What Happened & How I Treated It, A Guide to Moving to & Living in Santo Domingo, Visiting the Three Eyes National Park (Los Tres Ojos) in Santo Domingo, Prejudices Against the Dominican Accent & Anti-Dominican Sentiment, Dominican Republic Road Trip to the Dominican Southwest (2018), 15 Cool Things to do in Cabarete, Dominican Republic, Jarabacoa Travel Guide: 21 Fun Things to Do + Best Restaurants & Accommodation. There are so many stories to the views from above with every swing. National Botanical Gardens Initially made to explore and preserve the natural plants of Santo Domingo, the National Botanical Garden is a beautiful and stunning setting in which you can appreciate the scenery and tropical environment of the Dominican Republic. Once you gain enough knowhow, zip around the city with a guide. These are the amazing and most thrilling things to do in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. 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. This counts for some exciting opportunities. Founded a few years ago, this spot offers a brief and fun concept, with plays that are written and performed by Dominican actors and writers. The Juan Bosch Plaza is in a beautiful but rarely visited area of the malecon. However, I must note that at times I found the informational section problematic with a lot of praise to the Spanish colonizers. The establishment is not only a mausoleum but also a museum exhibiting items such as a Cuban boat and Colombian jewellery. Strolling through the lush greenery you can experience the stunning variety of plants and flowers on display. When riding the Telefrico, you can also seize the chance and get to know the Santo Domingo Metro, another modern and crucial transportation system of the city. Take this guided tour which includes the two hour transportation from Santo Domingo. At first glance, you might think of it as just a local convenience store. Eat, drink, and watch 4 different 15-minute plays in between. How to get there:The tour starts right in the Colonial Zone. We depart at 6am (pick up might start 30 minutes before). How to get there:Even there is public transport available to reach Los Tres Ojos, it is much easier and quicker to get there by Uber or a local taxi.Cost:The entrance fee to Los Tres Ojos is around 5-6 USD per person.Why it is one of the best things-to-do in Santo Domingo:Los Tres Ojos is a unique place to visit in Santo Domingo, as it is a national park within the (inner) city limits. Spend some time at Columbus Lighthouse (from USD 70.0), 28. It is said that the church was completed in 1755, but according to documents the church was in use since 1746. This gothic renaissance palace was built between 1510 and 1514 and is home to Museo de Diego Colon, an exquisite exhibition of the Caribbeans most precious collection of European late medieval and renaissance works of art. Subscribe to my Upcoming DR Blog Posts! In this case, you definitely should take a day-trip from Santo Domingo. This larimar museum is small but very interesting and fun to stroll through. 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