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 development 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 cause.
While 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.
Here’s Why You Really Shouldn’t Miss Out On Exploring This Gem:
Just A Capital City?
Founded in 1496 by Christopher Columbus’s youthful brother, Bartholomew, Santo Domingo is the oldest constantly inhabited European metropolis in all the Americas. Here you’ll discover the biggest metropolitan metropolis in the entire Caribbean and a colonial metropolis that has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
A 2010 American Capital of Culture, Santo Domingo needs to be extra than simply your level of entry to this nation. There are many causes it’s best to 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 straightforward 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 prompt for vacationers.
Note: Santo Domingo is a large sprawling metropolis, and new areas are sprouting up over time. This article will concentrate on the principle vacationer draw of the Zona Colonial.
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Where To Stay
The finest place to remain in Santo Domingo for vacationers is the Zona Colonial or Colonial Zone. This is the place you’ll really feel the most secure, be inside a straightforward stroll to lots of the predominant websites, and be capable to pop again to your lodging for a day settle down earlier than heading again out for some unbelievable nightlife.
Santo Domingo will get sizzling, as one would possibly 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. Luckily, there are lots of lodging choices with swimming pools, good for a day settle down.
Zona Colonial shouldn’t be all that giant, however fortunately there are quite a few leases and boutique inns right here. Be cautious when selecting the place to remain, as some properties listing themselves as being simply exterior the Colonial Quarter, and some of those areas usually are not locations to stroll round at evening.
Note: I’m not saying they’re ‘dangerous’ per se, however that they won’t make the typical traveler really feel as snug as a extra central location.
If doable, keep IN the Colonial Zone, not ‘nearby’. The finest tip for that is to learn the evaluations earlier than reserving, particularly search for mentions of “safe, walking, night,” and so forth. Tales from precise vacationers provides you with a significantly better image of the realm than the property description generally.
There are different areas of this huge metropolis that some vacationers favor to remain, akin to Zona Universitaria, Gazcue, or the Malecon space, however truthfully, if you’re right here to see the Zona Colonial, it’s finest to remain right here and save journey time.
There are additionally some city seaside areas right here you would possibly select, however it’s possible 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
The finest strategy to expertise the colonial quarter of Santo Domingo is just to wander and take all of it in. However, until you’re glued to a guidebook, it’s finest to hitch one of many metropolis’s many strolling excursions. With a information, you’ll be able to hear the historical past and get a really feel for the true heartbeat of this space.
Depending on while you go to, you’ll possible see A LOT of tour teams, many of the coming from cruise ships. Luckily they don’t appear to remain lengthy and congest the streets, and shouldn’t interrupt your sightseeing an excessive amount of.
There can be a small vacationer practice that put-puts its method round a few of the streets with a recorded audio description of the sights. This is an inexpensive and enjoyable strategy to see a bit with out breaking a sweat.
TIP- take this little practice to scout out good picture spots that you could circle again for golden hour.
The many eating places and bars within the colonial zone go away you spoiled for selection right here, and there’s something for everybody’s finances and tastes. Ranging from rooftops, historic buildings, and newer developments, yow will discover Dominican meals and the rest you may want. One private favourite for a killer view is Sugarcane La Casa Del Ron, the place you’ll be able to sip and overlook the primary church within the Americas.
For beer lovers, there are additionally just a few very cool breweries scattered in colourful outdated homes within the Zona Colonial. So, you should definitely search these out if you’re right here to pattern a few of 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’ll be able to tear your self away from the meals and drinks, there are lots of cultural issues to see and do right here as properly.
Parks akin to Independence and Columbus are value a go to, as are the various museums and historic websites to discover.
Museum of the Royal Houses, Museo del Larimar, the Amber World Museum, and Alcazar de Colon are all standard choices.
Santo Domingo additionally has the Caribbean’s first city cable automotive, and whereas its predominant 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 individuals come to Santo Domingo and miss out on one in all its best-kept secrets and techniques.
Literally IN town lies a small however gorgeous cave system that you could go to for subsequent to nothing, and whilst you can’t swim within the blue waters, the views rival any cenote that you just would possibly discover in Mexico.
The Tres Ojos (Three Eyes) National Park is a must-see when visiting Santo Domingo and makes a straightforward cease on the way in which to the airport when you can prepare along with your driver to attend about half-hour for you. The price for entry is about $2, and also you climb down and expertise the swimming pools and caves surrounding you.
While not very massive, this place is unbelievable, and you are feeling 1,000,000 miles from the freeway that really runs proper subsequent to the park.
To attain 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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