You can listen to all types of music, from merengue to traditional son and more. It has projecting beams of light that form the shape of a cross. Whether you're a nature lover or just looking for a peaceful escape from the city, this is a great destination to visit. However, I can understand that sometimes a day-trip is the only option to explore a region or a country. Its important to note that many museums in Latin America still focus on the perspective of the European colonizer. The 3 Eyes National Park 2,512 National Parks Geologic Formations By dmihovilovic For sure take the boat ride to get to the main lake and attraction of the tour. Other than the Catedral Primada de America, Parque Colon, the citys historical park is home to several statues including a large statue of admiral Columbus. However, if you're having trouble finding a colmado, just listen for the sound of blasting salsa, merengue, or bachata music. 6, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic Phone +1 809-533-9707 Web Visit website Dance and music are an intrinsic part of Dominican culture. Volunteer at an eco-village, immerse yourself in the jungle, and even sleep in a tree house! Address: Plaza Nuevo Sol, Calle Dr Jacinto Ignacio Man 41, Santo Domingo 10126, Dominican Republic. 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. This hidden gem in Monte Plata barely gets any visitors and is one of my favorite waterfalls in the Dominican Republic. Punta Cana Whale Watching Explore the city's historic Colonial Zone in a super fun and authentic way, covering more ground and seeing more sights in less time. Amber is tree resin gemstones from ~20 million years ago! The Museum of the Royal Houses provides a look into the history and cultural heritage of the Dominican Republic, starting from Christoper Columbus invasion. Not too far away from the Botanical Garden, you can find the Estadio Quisqueya which is home to two baseball teams in Santo Domingo, the Leones del Escogido and the Tigres del Licey. Do you need help planning a customized vacation in Punta Cana and the Dominican Republic? 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. Located centrally on Av. Food tours, surfing lessons, and more unique activities hosted by locals . This Cathedral, known as one of the oldest still in existence in the Americas, boasts impressive architecture and an atmosphere that makes it feel like you've stepped back in time to the days of Spanish rule. It was the first and oldest headquarters of Spains colonization of the Americas. Located in the heart of the Colonial Zone, the Microteatro offers a unique and intimate theater experience. So sorry, I cant help you out with nightlife! As a museum, store, and factory all in one, KahKow offers a range of interactive activities for visitors to enjoy. If you dont have a rental car, which is not necessarily recommendable in Santo Domingo, it is easiest to arrive by taxi or Uber.Cost:Prices depend on the group size and the tour you choose, so make sure to ask in advance.Why it is one of the best things-to-do in Santo Domingo:A unique cave system close to Santo Domingo with many possibilities for adventure and adrenaline.Further Information:You can call +1 809 629-3536 for details. Among the treats not to be missed are cativia (wheat empanadas), salpicon (chilled seafood and vegetables), sancocho (rich meat stew), and pastel en hoja (boiled root crops and meat in banana leaf). Tiradentes, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. Make an exclusive stop at Tres Ojos National Park (from USD 101.0), 10 Best Nightclubs In Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, What To Buy In Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, Top 12 Must-Dos In Santiago De Los Caballeros, Dominican Republic, San Pedro de Macoris, Dominican Republic (1), Top 11 Airbnb Vacation Rentals In Skradin, Croatia, Top 10 Bed And Breakfasts In Burlington, Vermont, Top 10 Airbnb Vacation Rentals In Greystones, Ireland, 10 Self-Catering Accommodations In And Near Drakensberg, Lesotho, Top 10 Vacation Rentals In Ludington, Michigan, USA. It is theoldest continuously-inhabitedEuropean-established settlement in theAmericas. It is particularly interesting considering that the mountains around Santo Domingo reach around 5000 feet just 30 minutes away from the city. Oops, this activity is currently unavailable. 42. Located about 10 minutes by car from the popular Colonial Zone the 3 Eyes National Park is a nature reserve and open-air limestone cave system with a series of crystal-clear lakes known as the eyes. It was later used as a tobacco warehouse, a theatre thereafter, until the building was restored in 1956 by dictator Rafael Trujillo for its current usage as a national mausoleum. You could tell that the family has a true passion for geology and Dominican heritage. The Royal Houses, built in 1511, were initially administrative offices. There are so many stories to the views from above with every swing. Punta Cana is my home-base here in the country and Id love to tell you more about how to experience Punta Cana off-the-beaten-track and give you all the advice you want to know for your vacation in Punta Cana. In this video we're in Santo Domingo, the capital of the Dominican Republic exploring the Colonial Zone for this best things to d. The Microteatro space is in a beautiful colonial building and as such has an open-air courtyard where you can eat and drink. Basilica Cathedral of Santa Mara la Menor was established in the 1500s. It is free and sits above a Larimar store, so feel free to stroll through and go upstairs to enter the museum. They come to follow in the footsteps of Christopher Columbus, or seek colossal whales on the Samana coast. Visiting Santo Domingo is totally doable on your own. 1 export nation worldwide for organic cacao? The interactions are personal (that is, with direct interaction between staff and clients) and hands-on. Experience a special fusion of Chinese-Dominican culture. How to get there:Even there is public transport available to reach Los Tres Ojos, it is much easier and quicker to get there by Uber or a local taxi.Cost:The entrance fee to Los Tres Ojos is around 5-6 USD per person.Why it is one of the best things-to-do in Santo Domingo:Los Tres Ojos is a unique place to visit in Santo Domingo, as it is a national park within the (inner) city limits. Although there are many popular ones, here are my two personal cafes in Santo Domingo. Iglesia Las Mercedes 49 The baseball championship of 2013 was won by the reds. Whether you want to explore the historic Colonial Zone on a bike tour, indulge in delicious chocolate treats, or experience the citys evolving arts and theater scene, weve got you covered with this list of unique and fun things to do in Santo Domingo. DAY TWO: 10:00 am. And its affordable, too. The monument is constructed in a lighthouse style. Looking for things to do in Dominican Republic? Zona Bici is the top bike rental shop in Santo Domingo, offering guided tours and hourly rentals of comfortable, well-maintained bikes. Visiting Niagara Falls: Which Side to Choose? The city is home to the historic cobblestoned Zonal Colonial which has buildings dating back to the 1500s. How to get there:When staying in Santo Domingo, chances are that your accommodation is right in the Colonial Zone*. Founded in 1976 and named after the accomplished Dominican botanist, Dr. Rafael M. Moscoso National Botanical Garden sits on a large piece of land covering 400 acres (160 hectares). When you stroll through the Colonial Zone of Santo Domingo, you can admire all the historical houses with their colorful fronts and explore the stories each building has to tell. Are you new in Santo Domingo? Stay in a former colonial home turned boutique hotel, stroll the pedestrian Calle El Conde, and dine at plazas. Costs start at $50 per person. [BOOK THE TOUR HERE]. And if you want to have something special, a unique place to stay in Santo Domingo, I can highly recommend you this list of the most spectacular Airbnb in Santo Domingo. 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. Linda Is a free spirit writer, I do love exploring, visiting new places experience, new things, and most of all learn. Independencia Km. Take a ride with the Telefrico (Santo Domingo cable car) Walk along the Malecn of Santo Domingo Visit the Botanical Garden of Santo Domingo Visit a baseball match in Santo Domingo Dine at Santo Domingos most unique restaurant Day-trips from Santo Domingo (things-to-do outside of the city) Head for a beach day to Juan Dolio or Boca Chica The park gets its name from the three eye-shaped underground lakes inside caverns. 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. This electric scooter tour helps you see as much of La Zona Colonial from the comfort of your scooter. Museo Fernando Pena Defillo is a gorgeous museum and art gallery located smack dab in the middle of the Colonial Zone. It highlights his fight for freedom from Haiti. You can go with a professional pilot and roam the skies above the Jarabacoa valleys. Thats why it is recommendable to leave your valuables at home. But please note it is only in Spanish however, you could hire a local guide to translate for you. Other items of interest in this building range from antique furniture with historical value, treasures found from under the ocean, Taino artifacts, and more. Load more. Immerse yourself in a 4D cinema as you witness the reenactment of the Battle of Santo Domingo. Exploring the beaches, snorkeling, and hiking are some of the best things to do in Samana DR . Once the home of Spanish colonialists, who built the walled city as a model for the rest of the Americas, its an area brimming with museums, churches, shopping, theatre, restaurants, and parks. Therefore, if you dont want to visit an ordinary restaurant and prefer to have some Dominican street food (as far as street food goes in the Dominican Republic), those are your must places to visit: There is hardly a better place than Santo Domingo to eat true Dominican food like a local, so make sure to tick off this item from your list of things-to-do while you are in the city. Some history of Calle Hostos But we Dominicans have been making a lot of strides and efforts in reclaiming our narratives and decolonizing our history. And I want to see the Lanimar gem! National Botanical Gardens Initially made to explore and preserve the natural plants of Santo Domingo, the National Botanical Garden is a beautiful and stunning setting in which you can appreciate the scenery and tropical environment of the Dominican Republic. You'll find them on street corners all around the country, with some estimates suggesting that there is one colmado for every 188 inhabitants. The botanical gardens are about 40 minutes from the Colonial Zone. They also offer a range of mouthwatering cocktails, including Pia Titi, Sangra del Huerto, and mojito Campo Abierto. Los Tres Ojos (in English The Three Eyes) consists of three lagoons (hence the name), which are fed by a subterranean river system. 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. Estadio Quisqueya is home ground for the blues and the reds, Tigres del Licey and Leones del Escogido, respectively. If you want to head out and see where the cacao gets harvested before being dried and processed to chocolate, you can do a day-trip from Santo Domingo. John F. Kennedy, Santo Domingo 10129, Dominican Republic, One of the beautiful wooden homes in the Colonial Zone. If possible, take your tour outside of the rush hours. Were patiently waiting for it to reopen fully! You get to expand your knowledge of the citys history, culture and values through world-class technology. There are 2 or 3 blocks, including Calle General Cabral, where you can find some interesting street art. Dropping into cafes to do some writing while eating is one of my favorite past times when traveling around the world. Bayahibe Travel Guide Now its only the bookstore that remains (with some incredible Dominican-related books), a new cigar room, and a new bar/restaurant space. They also host weekly meetup events over beers and German barbeque. ChocoMuseo was designed to share knowledge about cacao. Honestly, not my favorite museum in Santo Domingo. Check out Ciudad Colonial (Colonial City) (from USD 45.0), 29. Culture, nature, nightlife, local experiences, unique adventures Santo Domingo has it all. While Boca Chica is famous for its turquoise lagoon, Juan Dolio is worth visiting due to its wide and sandy beach. Perfect when you want to explore everything without walking under the spicy hot Caribbean sun. Experience the care that provides well-being to the body and your spirit, because once achieved, beauty and balance will radiate throughout your being. The Dominican Republic's Three Eyes National Park is a nature reserve and open-air limestone cave system with a series of crystal clear lakes known as the "eyes." Located in Santo Domingo, just ten minutes by car from the popular Colonial Zone, the park provides a sweet respite from the hustle and bustle of the busy city. Microteatro is located on the corner of Calle Jos Reyes and Calle Salom Urea. Bring water shoes with grip like these ones. Here are other DR posts to check out. However, dont present an opportunity. If you come in the day, do not pass up on freshly made mango juice. The models pose behind glass boxes. This gothic renaissance palace was built between 1510 and 1514 and is home to Museo de Diego Colon, an exquisite exhibition of the Caribbeans most precious collection of European late medieval and renaissance works of art. Roam the Zona Colonial of Santo Domingo Source: flickr If you enjoy an active lifestyle, this is the place to be on a weekend morning where you can join other Dominican exercise enthusiasts running, skating, biking, and more. On Facebook, you can join our closed community of DR travelers. From the rum museum (or from Plaza Espaa), just walk three blocks north until you reach Calle Coln and the square respectively the statue Ceiba de Coln. My Beginners Guide to Living in Santo Domingo, favorite waterfalls in the Dominican Republic, this tour which includes another waterfall, Best Places In the Dominican Republic to Visit Beyond Punta Cana, 10 Reasons to Visit Monte Cristi in the Dominican Republic, Hiking Pico Duarte in the Dominican Alps: Conquering the Tallest Mountain in the Caribbean, How to Get to Bahia de las Aguilas from Santo Domingo via Public Transportation, I Caught the Dreaded Amoeba Parasite in DR: What Happened & How I Treated It, A Guide to Moving to & Living in Santo Domingo, Visiting the Three Eyes National Park (Los Tres Ojos) in Santo Domingo, Prejudices Against the Dominican Accent & Anti-Dominican Sentiment, Dominican Republic Road Trip to the Dominican Southwest (2018), 15 Cool Things to do in Cabarete, Dominican Republic, Jarabacoa Travel Guide: 21 Fun Things to Do + Best Restaurants & Accommodation.
