The Dominican Republic has lengthy been a preferred trip spot, and this 12 months 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 reveals no indicators of slowing down.
With more flights being added from the U.S., vacationers will keep coming to this stunningly lovely tropical island, and for good motive.
Whereas the beaches are clearly the draw right here (as they need to be), there are locations inland value a have a look at as properly.
One such place is the colourful and historic capital metropolis of Santo Domingo.
Right here’s Why You Actually Shouldn’t Miss Out On Exploring This Gem:
Simply A Capital Metropolis?
Based in 1496 by Christopher Columbus’s youthful brother, Bartholomew, Santo Domingo is the oldest constantly inhabited European metropolis in all the Americas. Right here you can see the most important metropolitan metropolis in the entire Caribbean and a colonial metropolis that has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Web site.
A 2010 American Capital of Tradition, Santo Domingo ought to be extra than simply your level of entry to this nation. There are lots of 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 cozy as properly. 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 urged for vacationers.
Observe: Santo Domingo is a large sprawling metropolis, and new areas are sprouting up over time. This text will give attention to the principle vacationer draw of the Zona Colonial.
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The place To Keep
One of the best place to remain in Santo Domingo for vacationers is the Zona Colonial or Colonial Zone. That is the place you’ll really feel the most secure, be inside a straightforward stroll to most of the fundamental websites, and be capable to pop again to your lodging for a day settle down earlier than heading again out for some improbable nightlife.
Santo Domingo will get sizzling, 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. Fortunately, there are various lodging choices with swimming pools, excellent for a day settle down.
Zona Colonial will not be all that giant, however fortunately there are quite a few leases and boutique accommodations right here. Watch out when selecting the place to remain, as some properties checklist themselves as being simply exterior the Colonial Quarter, and some of those areas are usually not locations to stroll round at evening.
Observe: I’m not saying they’re ‘harmful’ per se, however that they may not make the common traveler really feel as snug as a extra central location.
If potential, keep IN the Colonial Zone, not ‘close by’. One of the best tip for that is to learn the opinions earlier than reserving, particularly search for mentions of “secure, strolling, evening,” and so on. Tales from precise vacationers gives you a a lot better image of the world than the property description normally.
There are different areas of this massive metropolis that some vacationers want to remain, akin to Zona Universitaria, Gazcue, or the Malecon space, however actually, 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 seemingly that you can be heading to one of many extra well-known seaside areas, so it’s higher to attend for these.
What To See and Do
One of the simplest ways to expertise the colonial quarter of Santo Domingo is solely to wander and take all of it in. Nonetheless, 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 true heartbeat of this space.
Relying on if you go to, you’ll seemingly see A LOT of tour teams, a lot of the coming from cruise ships. Fortunately they don’t appear to remain lengthy and congest the streets, and shouldn’t interrupt your sightseeing an excessive amount of.
There’s additionally a small vacationer prepare that put-puts its approach round among the streets with a recorded audio description of the sights. This can be a low-cost and enjoyable option to see a bit with out breaking a sweat.
TIP- take this little prepare to scout out good picture spots that you would be able to circle again for golden hour.
The various eating places and bars within the colonial zone go away you spoiled for alternative right here, and there’s something for everybody’s finances and tastes. Starting from rooftops, historic buildings, and newer developments, you could find 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 just a few very cool breweries scattered in colourful previous homes within the Zona Colonial. So, make sure to 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.
If you happen to can tear your self away from the meals and drinks, there are various cultural issues to see and do right here as properly.
Parks akin to Independence and Columbus are value a go to, as are the numerous museums and historic websites to discover.
Museum of the Royal Homes, Museo del Larimar, the Amber World Museum, and Alcazar de Colon are all widespread choices.
Santo Domingo additionally has the Caribbean’s first city cable automotive, and whereas its fundamental function is to make the day by day lives of residents simpler, vacationers are welcome to get pleasure from it as properly.
Take the clear and environment friendly subway or an Uber to succeed in the station and luxuriate in a birds of view of the true 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 folks come to Santo Domingo and miss out on certainly one of its best-kept secrets and techniques.
Actually IN the town lies a small however gorgeous cave system that you would be able to go to for subsequent to nothing, and when you can’t swim within the blue waters, the views rival any cenote that you just may discover in Mexico.
The Tres Ojos (Three Eyes) Nationwide Park is a must-see when visiting Santo Domingo and makes a straightforward cease on the best way to the airport in the event you can organize along with your driver to attend about half-hour for you. The associated fee for entry is about $2, and also you climb down and expertise the swimming pools and caves surrounding you.
Whereas not very massive, this place is improbable, and you are feeling one million miles from the freeway that truly runs proper subsequent to the park.
To succeed in probably the most photogenic spot, deliver 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.
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