Los Tres Ojos might be the coolest (tourist) attraction in Santo Domingo. Learn to cook speciality dishes at a Dominican home, and dine with a charming local localite. Dominican Republic Hotels Dominican Republic Guest House Dominican Republic Holiday Homes Dominican Republic Holiday Packages Dominican Republic Flights Dominican Republic Restaurants Dominican Republic Attractions Dominican Republic Travel Forum Dominican Republic Photos Dominican Republic Map Dominican Republic Visitors Guide All Dominican . Sign-up for the latest Punta Cana travel stories! As the largest of its kind in the Caribbean, the Santo Domingo Botanical Garden has over 60,000 botanically classified species, representing eight different ecosystems from across the country. There are tons of things to do in Santo Domingo for every traveler! How to get there:Both places to visit are walkable within the Colonial Zone. In San Domingo, Dominican Republic, Alcazar de Colon or better known as Columbus Alcazar is part of the Colonial Zone of Santo Domingo World Heritage site and the oldest Viceregal residence in America. Every Sunday, theres a large outdoor market where Chinese and Dominican farmers and street vendors sell delicious food, drinks, and crops harvested locally. The baseball championship of 2013 was won by the reds. Hear the stories of the elusive characters buried in Casa del Tapao, marvel at the Colonial churches, as you enjoy a lovely sightseeing tour. 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. Your email address will not be published. Punta Cana Whale Watching Interested in Reading More of My Dominican Republic Blog Posts? Avenida George Washington 125 Points of Interest & Landmarks By americot198 On the edge of the water with ocean view restaurants and Hotels located across the street from the water. In July 1956, it was converted into the National Pantheon of the Republic. The serenity and tranquillity of this historic park attracts locals, tourists, even hawkers creating an illusion of a small village within a city. It showcases thePea Defill familys private collection of Dominican art. This botanical garden features collections of ferns, palms, and over 300 types of orchids. You can spend hours here. Getting there The Rum Experience costs 14 USD + taxes, so approx. Whether you're a nature lover or just looking for a peaceful escape from the city, this is a great destination to visit. Address: Calle Las Damas, Santo Domingo 10210, Dominican Republic, Website: National Pantheon of the Dominican Republic. But its not only about the history and architecture why the Colonial Zone is the No. [BOOK THE TOUR HERE]. Thanks to its performance time from 6 pm to 10 pm it is even (partly) family-friendly as long as you find some chairs to sit (come early to secure your spot!). Check out one of the following fully organized day-trips from Santo Domingo, which will show you the full beauty of the Dominican Republic. While I have written an extensive hiking guide for Punta Cana, it is a bit more difficult for Santo Domingo. You can also visit Los Haitises National Park or head to the dunes of Ban. Bring your camera, some water, and a hat, and prepare to be enchanted by the beauty of this incredible garden. Address: Avenida de la Vega Real, Arroyo Hondo Distrito Nacional, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, A post shared by El Meson de la Cava (@mesondelacava). La F, Av. Experience the siege of Santo Domingo (from USD 5.0), 30. I will design your tailor-made itinerary, tell you how to save money on your trip and send you the best insider tips and recommendations. Once you gain enough knowhow, zip around the city with a guide. Thats particularly because it feels like another world walking along the several hiking paths and exploring the different species compared to all this chaos and traffic jam in the city. Chocolate Tour - Kah Kow Experience. These are the amazing and most thrilling things to do in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. This is an interactive tour through the world of rum including a tasting at the end. Dominican Republic ItineraryDominican Republic Road TripIsla Saona ExcursionSanto Domingo AirbnbsSanto Domingo Airport TransfersSanto Domingo Things-to-do, HomeNewest PostsAbout MeTravel CoachingPrivacy Policy. Is it difficult for you to decide what and where to book? Best places to visit in the Dominican Republic Its pale cyan-blue color divinely matches the water of its coasts beautifully. How to get there:The tour starts right in the Colonial Zone. Pedro Henrquez Urea National Library (Biblioteca Nacional). Visiting Santo Domingo is totally doable on your own. Afterward, I got to chat, debate, and connect with the speaker and fellow attendees. The building itself is a mixture of different architectural styles. Address: Av. At that time, the nightlife was dominated by people who for some reason or the other preferred rock music. Feast on homemade dumplings and sample an array of spices at the market stalls. This city is thriving in social movements, culture, gastronomy, nightlife, and events almost every day. Learn to cook Dominican dishes (from USD 43.0), Dr. Rafael Ma. Some of these may be a bit more expensive because they are unique unlike the mass produced made-in-China souvenirs. Right in the Colonial Zone, you have two possibilities: you can either visit the KahKow Experience or the Choco Museo. You wont find tourists in this underrated gem even though its one of the best places in Santo Domingo to visit for culture and history! This is a vital means of everyday local transportation that helps Dominicans and our environment. How to get there:For a day-trip from Santo Domingo, the best thing-to-do is to book a guided excursion so that you dont have to deal with any organizational stuff..Cost:Prices for day-trips vary, depending on where you go and whats included.Why it is one of the best things-to-do in Santo Domingo:If you dont have another chance to get to know the country, a day-trip is a decent way to learn more about the Dominican Republic. So if you dont vibe with one of the artists, then half visit might feel underwhelming. 6. Why go: This cool, tiled . Estadio Quisqueya is home ground for the blues and the reds, Tigres del Licey and Leones del Escogido, respectively. Copyright 2023 Visit Dominican Republic. Perfect when you want to explore everything without walking under the spicy hot Caribbean sun. Centro Cultural Espaol: Cultural space funded by the Spanish embassy with art exhibits, films, concerts, and more. We depart at 6am (pick up might start 30 minutes before). If you are lucky and the doors are open, you can also explore the wonderful patios and courtyards most colonial houses have, which feels like traveling in time back to the 17th and 18th centuries. How to get there:Choco Museo is located right in the pedestrian zone Calle El Conde, KahKow Experience in the oldest street of the Americas, Calle Las Damas. The last time the blues won a championship was in 2009. Its in an intimate and sometimes interactive space often with just you and a dozen other spectators + the actors. From painters to jewerly makers and more, make sure you stop into the nooks and crannies of galleries, weekend markets, and other shops to support. And when you're done exploring the city, stop by their shop for a cup of the city's best coffee and a selection of local craft beers. Along with a guided tour, these stunning open-water caves also offer deeper insights into the pre-colonial and ancestral origins of the Dominican Republic. Why not go on a sweet experience with El Sendero del Cacao and explore Santo Domingo . But please note it is only in Spanish however, you could hire a local guide to translate for you. Ive been reading all of your posts about Dominican Republic while planning a visit next week. The chocolate tour to San Francisco de Macoris can be booked online and usually starts at the KahKow Experience as well.Cost:Basic entry to Choco Museo is free, the chocolate workshop has an extra cost. Some of the more unmissable local dishes include chicharron (fried pork skins) and tostones (fried plantains) as snacks. This beautiful park also has a free outdoor gym as well as fresh coconut water stands in case you need some hydration after a long run across the park. Address: Av. You will notice before that something is changing and your instinct will make you turn around immediately. The monument is found on Paseo Presidente Billini, opposite the Hotel Llave del Mar. They come to follow in the footsteps of Christopher Columbus, or seek colossal whales on the Samana coast. 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. If you are into shopping or you just need to shop for your house, the Mercado Modelo is the main centre of wholesale trade of fruits, vegetables and farm products coming all the way from Uruguay. It has new owners which have shifted it from a cultural space to it feeling like more of a nightlife spot called Ximena. Mirador Sur 1, Santo Domingo 00000, Dominican Republic, A post shared by Caciba (@cacibajaguabar). The Juan Bosch Plaza is in a beautiful but rarely visited area of the malecon. There are so many stories to the views from above with every swing. It gives you a good introduction to the importance of rum for the Dominican Republic, but it is more of a typical museum. In addition to the uniquely charming views of the port, this boulevard features the famous obelisk of Santo Domingo as well as casinos, restaurants and leisure spots of all types. There are over 300 attractions in the area that include historical characters, cultural monuments, homes of eminent personalities from the colonial time and important streets such as Las Damas street. The Agora Mall boasts an outdoor area with breathtaking views from the fourth floor of the mall. Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic Dr. Rafael M. Moscoso National Botanical Garden A remarkable range of flora and fauna are represented in this Dominican nature preserve. You can either hire a driver or book this tour which includes another waterfall, Sierra de Agua. This electric scooter tour helps you see as much of La Zona Colonial from the comfort of your scooter. Getting there Bringing all these experiences together i have managed to acquire a sixth (Do a quick search on the following sites). The Royal Houses, built in 1511, were initially administrative offices. The models pose behind glass boxes. 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. Catedral de Santa Maria La Menor is the ultimate destination as it is one of the most important sites in the Dominican Republic; the first cathedral of the New World. Go on experiences with our local hosts in or near Santo Domingo. Usually, I am not a big fan of day-trips where you are spending the whole day either in the car or on the bus. Location: Calle Isabel La Catlica 206, Santo Domingo 10212, Dominican Republic Open: Daily from 2 pm to 11 pm Phone: +1 809-906-9706 Map 3 Coolmado Las Mercedes A unique bar and grocery store Abraham Lincoln, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, A post shared by Virginia Spa (@virginiaspard). 27. The park is the right place to check out birds and vegetation native to the island. 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. In this case, you definitely should take a day-trip from Santo Domingo. But we Dominicans have been making a lot of strides and efforts in reclaiming our narratives and decolonizing our history. The club offers you ample amenities for a great experience. With so many trendy and delicious restaurants popping up around Santo Domingo, its hard to list the top best ones. 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 Freddy Beras Goico and walk around a third of a mile northbound until you reach the entrance.Cost:Tickets are starting from 2 USD (100 DOP) per person.Why it is one of the best things-to-do in Santo Domingo:There is hardly a better thing-to-do in Santo Domingo to immerse into the local culture of the Dominicans. This is one of the best nights out in Santo Domingo with friends or family. 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