The Dominican Republic has lengthy been a well-liked 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 cause.
Whereas the beaches are clearly the draw right here (as they need to be), there are locations inland price a have a look at as effectively.
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 the entire Americas. Right here you can find the most important metropolitan metropolis in the entire Caribbean and a colonial metropolis that has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Website.
A 2010 American Capital of Tradition, Santo Domingo must be extra than simply your level of entry to this nation. There are various causes you need 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 seashore areas from Santo Domingo is straightforward by automotive, and public buses are low cost and cozy as effectively. Santo Domingo has UBER, so getting across the metropolis shouldn’t be a problem, 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 deal with the primary 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 lots of the most important websites, and be capable of pop again to your lodging for a day settle down earlier than heading again out for some incredible 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. Fortunately, there are lots of lodging choices with swimming pools, good for a day settle down.
Zona Colonial will not be all that giant, however fortunately there are quite a few leases and boutique inns right here. Watch out when selecting the place to remain, as some properties record themselves as being simply outdoors the Colonial Quarter, and some of those areas usually are not locations to stroll round at night time.
Observe: I’m not saying they’re ‘harmful’ per se, however that they won’t make the typical traveler really feel as comfy 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 evaluations earlier than reserving, particularly search for mentions of “secure, strolling, night time,” and so on. Tales from precise vacationers provides you with a significantly better image of the world than the property description usually.
There are different areas of this massive metropolis that some vacationers want to remain, reminiscent of 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 seashore areas right here you would possibly select, however it’s probably that you’ll be heading to one of many extra well-known seashore 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. Nevertheless, except you might be glued to a guidebook, it’s greatest to hitch one of many metropolis’s many strolling excursions. With a information, you may hear the historical past and get a really feel for the actual heartbeat of this space.
Relying on while you go to, you’ll probably see A LOT of tour teams, many 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 method round among the streets with a recorded audio description of the sights. This can be a low cost and enjoyable method to see a bit with out breaking a sweat.
TIP- take this little prepare to scout out good photograph spots you can circle again for golden hour.
The various eating places and bars within the colonial zone depart 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 the rest 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 outdated homes within the Zona Colonial. So, be sure you 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.
For those who can tear your self away from the meals and drinks, there are lots of cultural issues to see and do right here as effectively.
Parks reminiscent of Independence and Columbus are price 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 common choices.
Santo Domingo additionally has the Caribbean’s first city cable automotive, and whereas its most important goal is to make the each day lives of residents simpler, vacationers are welcome to take pleasure in it as effectively.
Take the clear and environment friendly subway or an Uber to achieve the station and luxuriate in a birds of view of the actual 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 one in all its best-kept secrets and techniques.
Actually IN the town lies a small however gorgeous cave system you can 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) Nationwide Park is a must-see when visiting Santo Domingo and makes a straightforward cease on the way in which to the airport in case 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.
Whereas not very giant, this place is incredible, and you’re feeling one million miles from the freeway that truly runs proper subsequent to the park.
To achieve essentially the most photogenic spot, deliver a few further {dollars} with you. I received’t spoil the shock, however let’s simply say there are ropes and a floating raft concerned.
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