We take you to Santo Domingo, the capital of the Dominican Republic and one of the oldest cities in the Caribbean. What to see and do in a few days?
The Dominican Republic is a country in the Greater Antilles, surrounded by Cuba, Puerto Rico and Jamaica. Haiti occupying the western third of the island. The island is divided into 31 provinces and the capital is located in the south of the island. The island’s five main airports are: Santo Domingo, Punta Cana, Puerto Plata, La Romana and El Catey in Samana.
For several years now, the tourist board has been running promotional campaigns aimed at changing its image as a destination for mass tourism and all-inclusive hotels. The Dominican Republic is often associated with Punta Cana, but there are other, less touristy and wilder places to enjoy cocktails, white sand beaches and sunshine.
Santo Domingo (Santo Domingo in Spanish) is a very charming capital far from the clichés one might expect, with its cobbled historic center surrounded by ramparts, its colonial zone and its buildings dating back to the 16th century. If you like colonial towns with character, you’ll fall under the spell of this pretty town, which deserves more than a detour.
I invite you to consult all our other articles on the Dominican Republic to help you prepare for your trip:
- What to see on the Samana Peninsula
- Where to sleep in Las Terrenas
- Top 7 of the peninsula’s most beautiful beaches
- We tested the colonial boutique hotel in Santo Domingo
- The practical guide to preparing your trip
SOMMAIRE DE L'ARTICLE :
| DISCOVER SAINT DOMINGUE ON FOOT
Santo Domingo is a UNESCO world heritage site. It is the oldest city built by Europeans on the American continent, and one of the most populous in the Caribbean. It’s an easy city to visit on foot. If you are staying at hotel de las casas XVI, you can stroll through the colorful streets around the hotel. Walk along Las Damas, the first cobbled street, and stroll along pedestrian El Conde. Stroll along the seafront too, along the Malecón Santo Domingo and stroll through the colonial quarter as there are many monuments and pretty, lively squares to visit:
- Dominican Convent
- The Cathedral, the first to be built in the New World
- Columbus Alcazar
- Le Parque Colón
- Pantheon National
- Chinatown
- Plaza España
- Museo de las Casas Reales
- Faro a Colón, a mausoleum built in tribute to Christopher Columbus.
There’s one concert a month, on Sundays from 7pm to 11:30pm in front of the San Francisco ruins, right in the heart of Santo Domingo. Enjoy a live concert by the group Bonye in the company of Dominicans. They’ve been performing at the same venue for 12 years now, and this is your chance to dance a merengue or Bachata in a traditional, local atmosphere.
For those wishing to take a cultural tour of Santo Domingo, you can book a private guided tour.
➡️ Check availability and book
If you have a little time to spare, there are other excursions that can be planned in advance for an in-depth discovery of Dominican culture:
| SUGAR CANE AND RUM
Embark on a journey into the world of sugar cane at the historic Barceló Rum Museum in San Pedro de Macorís.
| EXCURSION RESERVATION
You’ll pass sugarcane fields and then head for the rum museum. You can book this tour directly by clicking on the booking link.
➡️ Check availability and make a reservation
| VISIT TO A CHOCOLATE FACTORY
If you’re a chocolate lover, you’ll discover the organic cocoa plantation and all the secrets behind quality chocolate. You’ll learn all about the final manufacturing process of this exquisite chocolate.
| EXCURSION RESERVATION
Are you a lover of good chocolate and want to learn more about the cocoa and chocolate process? You can book this tour directly by clicking on the booking link.
➡️ Check availability and make a reservation
| SAINT DOMINGUE THE UNUSUAL WAY: BY CAR OR BY BIKE
What if you visited the capital in an old American car? This is an atypical and vintage visit. For a few hours, aboard an old vintage car from the 50s, scarlet Buick and accompanied by a Dominican driver, you’ll tour the colonial city but also the new town. There are several stops along the way to take photos and enjoy the tour.
Departure from Parque Colón in the colonial quarter. Your first stop is in front of the Palacio Nacional, then on to the Plaza de España, via the Mercado Modelo and Chinatown. It’s a very unusual and enjoyable way to discover the city and see all the smiles on the faces of the locals as you pass by. Your drivers are elegant in their Panama hats, and you’ll enjoy their company.
My favorite part of this walk will remain the market Mercado Modelo, a superb market to buy your souvenirs and local handicrafts like Mamajuana, the country’s must-have spirit! If you go through it, you’ll get your fill of color by discovering a food market. It’s the perfect place to take photos, as you’ll be able to observe authentic scenes of life.
Allow a good morning for the car tour and the various stops. Don’t hesitate to ask your driver what you’d like to see before getting into the vehicle.
| PRIVATE EXCURSION: BICYCLE TOUR OF THE COLONIAL QUARTER
For the private guided tour of Santo Domingo by bike and in French, you can book this tour directly by clicking on the booking link.
➡️ Check tour availability and make a reservation
| FOOD TOUR A SAINT DOMINGUE
For all those who love to sample local specialties, don’t miss this gastronomic tour of Santo Domingo. This 4-hour culinary tour includes four to six tastings and one beer in each corner of the city.
➡️ Check tour availability and make a reservation
| WHERE TO SLEEP AND EAT IN SAINT DOMINGUE
La ville de Saint-Domingue propose un large choix d’hôtels allant du plus simple au plus élégant. Tout dépend de votre budget et de l’expérience que vous souhaitez vivre. Nous avons testé les hôtels de las casas XVI dans le quartier colonial et l’expérience était vraiment parfaite de part son emplacement et de la décoration. Gros coup de coeur aussi pour l’hôtel Nicolas de Ovando idéalement situé en plein coeur de la ville et le Billini Hotel avec sa très belle piscine et vue sur la ville.
Je vous invite également à profiter de notre réduction sur Airbnb si vous recherchez un appartement. 💰 Profitez jusqu’à – 40€ sur votre réservation Airbnb
Pour trouver votre hébergement à Saint-Domingue, vous pouvez consulter et vérifier les disponibilités :
There’s no shortage of restaurants and bars in the colonial zone. You’ll be spoilt for choice, so get lost in the alleyways and try the fresh fruit juices from the street stalls!
- The restaurant Buche Perico for a taste of grilled shrimp, in a quiet patio with trees. (Calle El Conde No. 53)
- Duo Restaurant Lounge : El Conde Street Esq.
- The restaurant Adrian Tropical has an excellent reputation for tasty, affordable Dominican cuisine. Their mango juices and mofongo are apparently excellent.
- The Market : Av. Winston Churchill esq, You can make your own burgers, poké bowls or pizzas, and the desserts are very hearty.
- Jalao: El Conde Street, Colonial City
- La Cassina: Roberto Pastoriza 504 Evaristo Morales
- El Higuero : Av. Anacaona 24, set in a park on the banks of a pond, this restaurant offers quality Dominican cuisine served by friendly, efficient staff.
- Blue pool Bar : Avenida Winston Churchill Inter Continental Hotels & Resorts
- Pearl Urban Lounge : Av. George Washington 500
- Bocados pastry bakery : Calle Juan Sánchez Ramírez 16
- Bondelic : Calle Heriberto Núñez # 28
| GETTING TO SAINT-DOMINGUE
From Las Américas International Airport, you can arrange a airport-to-hotel transfer in Santo Domingo, to make your life easier and save you the hassle of searching. It’s convenient and time-saving.
➡️ Check transfer availability and book
Santo Domingo is a Latin city that combines colonial charm and old-world elegance. You’ll be seduced by its fortresses and monuments, but also by its nightlife to the rhythm of salsa, bachata and merengue. It has nothing to envy other modern Latin American cities.
Please note that as an accredited bespoke travel designer, I offer to accompany you in the creation of your tailor-made trip to the Dominican Republic and create a personalized itinerary tailored to your needs. Please send me an email at : contact@mademoiselle-voyage.fr
Before you leave, don’t forget to read all our articles on the Dominican Republic to help you prepare for your trip.
- What to see on the Samana Peninsula
- Where to sleep in Las Terrenas
- Top 7 of the peninsula’s most beautiful beaches
- We tested the colonial boutique hotel in Santo Domingo
- The practical guide to preparing your trip
