The Juan Bosch Plaza is in a beautiful but rarely visited area of the malecon. Alternatively, you could turn up for the various tournaments held at this club. Shop at one of the fashion stores, antiquities shops, or simply grab some food or drink to re-energize. Dominican Republic Tourism Dominican Republic Hotels Dominican Republic Bed and Breakfast For further impressions of baseball, you can see baseball fields all around the country, even in the smallest villages you see the locals playing. How to get there:The best is to take an Uber or a taxi to get to El Meson de la Cava, particularly when going there for dinner.Cost:Calculate with 25 to 30 USD per person for a 2-course dinner with a glass of wine.Why it is one of the best things-to-do in Santo Domingo:This restaurant offers a unique location in Santo Domingo. Visiting this off-the-beaten-track tourist attraction in the Greater Santo Domingo area (you wont find it in any guide book) is not for the faint-hearted, as you have narrow pathways, steep rappels and pitch-black passages. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Go on experiences with our local hosts in or near Santo Domingo. Volunteer at an eco-village, immerse yourself in the jungle, and even sleep in a tree house! All of the 3 spots the 2 museums in the Colonial Zone and the plantation tour from Santo Domingo to San Francisco de Macors are perfect places to visit when you are interested in chocolate. However, this museum is easy to pop into because it is conveniently located in the same plaza (Plaza de la Cultura) as the following other Santo Domingo points of interest: Entrance is $100 pesos per person (less than $2 USD). This hidden gem in Monte Plata barely gets any visitors and is one of my favorite waterfalls in the Dominican Republic. Mella, Santo Domingo 10211, Dominican Republic, Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 9am - 6pm; Sun: 7am - 1pm (closed on Sat). Please go ahead and add Punta Cana Travel Blog to your feed. Experience a wide variety of tours and events through Airbnb. There is a tour called El Sendero del Cacao which takes you to the cocoa plantations* around San Francisco de Macors, which is kind of the capital when it comes to cacao cultivation in the Dominican Republic. There is a flourishing second-hand market for phones in the Dominican Republic you dont want yours to be part of it. Another day begins with countless promises and plans in Santo Domingo, so after a filling breakfast that should . Crime is existing, primarily in the city and especially petty theft and robberies, but tourists are hardly targeted. Address: Calle Marginal Las Americas Este, Santo Domingo Este 11604, Dominican Republic, A post shared by Gilles Bussutil (@french_pilot). 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. The three lagoons can be explored walking (with or without a guide), but you cant swim in them. They have a production area in each boutique, open for you to see. You can either hire a driver or book this tour which includes another waterfall, Sierra de Agua. There is no beach in Santo Domingo but the Malecon lets you at least breeze the ocean. Thats just one of the reasons why you should explore the world of chocolate in the Dominican Republic. It was privately founded in 1999 by Juan Jose Bellapart. Dominican Republic ItineraryDominican Republic Road TripIsla Saona ExcursionSanto Domingo AirbnbsSanto Domingo Airport TransfersSanto Domingo Things-to-do, HomeNewest PostsAbout MeTravel CoachingPrivacy Policy. 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). Onno's Zona Colonial 92 Bars & Clubs Open now By 55jannellec The music and DJ were on point. Cultural events (concerts and meetings) also used to take place here, so maybe Ximena will continue that tradition; be on the lookout via their Instagram. The monument is constructed in a lighthouse style. However, even without understanding the dialogue, the plays are highly entertaining and creative, offering a glimpse into Santo Domingo's evolving arts and theater scene. You'll find pristine beaches and hidden gems like a salsa/merengue club set inside a huge underground cave. 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. Let's explore the best things to do in the Dominican Republic: 1. This electric scooter tour helps you see as much of La Zona Colonial from the comfort of your scooter. Mirador Sur 1, Santo Domingo 00000, Dominican Republic, A post shared by Caciba (@cacibajaguabar). Santo Domingo is home to the Hospital San Nicols, the oldest hospital built in the New World back in the early 1500s. See All 19 Things To Do in Dominican Republic Cool Places to Eat & Drink in Dominican Republic Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic El Meson de la Cava Renowned restaurant tucked in a. Feast on homemade dumplings and sample an array of spices at the market stalls. How to get there:When staying in Santo Domingo, chances are that your accommodation is right in the Colonial Zone*. Then you have to spend at least half of your day at Columbus Lighthouse where lay Christopher Columbus remains. Not bad! NOTE: It is mostly closed for renovation. beautiful. There is also a beautiful outdoor colonial courtyard located between exhibits. Cayacoa Golf Club is one-of-a-kind in town for members and visitors to have a good time in Santo Domingo. Thats why it is so much recommendable to book a place-to-stay in the Zona Colonial. This epic tour starts early in the morning, leaving from Santo Domingo. If you come in the day, do not pass up on freshly made mango juice. Book the tour here! Walk through the historic Plaza de Espaa as you find your way to the first paved street of Calle Las Damas. Punta Cana Currency Sign-up for the latest Punta Cana travel stories! You can also visit Los Haitises National Park or head to the dunes of Ban. 55 places sorted by traveler favorites Clear all filters 2022 1. It also showcases a coat of arms. If you like to go clubbing, there are several spots in Santo Domingo for that, which Im not at all familiar with. Your email address will not be published. F2VW+JJR, Av Repblica de Colombia, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic Phone +1 809-385-2611 Web Visit website Hike the most extensive botanical gardens in the Caribbean, located in Santo Domingo. It is part of the culture. The ingredients you require will be readily available at the home you will cook in. Escape the hectic city and immerse yourself in the tranquil beauty of a natural oasis right in the middle of Santo Domingo. Its a fascinating encounter of two very different cultures coming together. Not only will you be able to pick up any essentials you need, but you'll also get a glimpse into the social and cultural life of the community while drinking a cold beer. Santo Domingo is the capital of the Dominican Republic, the most visited country in the Caribbean, and the oldest continuously inhabited European settlement in the Americas. Meanwhile, the casino at the Barcelo Bavaro Palace keeps the lights running 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Rafael Trujillo, the dictator, assumed office at the Royal Houses. The Botanical Garden is for sure not a top thing-to-do in Santo Domingo and therefore not a must-see if you are just in the city for a day or two. While it is question-worthy why a pretty poor country has to build a 70 million US-Dollar mausoleum for a man who conquered your own country and killed your native people, the building is still impressive (and ugly) to see as it is a 700200 feet colossus made out of concrete. Strolling through the lush greenery you can experience the stunning variety of plants and flowers on display. The other is the super delicious taste of organic bean-to-bar chocolate or a fresh cup of hot chocolate . How to get there:The tour starts right in the Colonial Zone. It is a massive cave system of which just a small part is accessible. For history lovers, a lot of museums are home to the Colonial Zone either. 1. This is a vital means of everyday local transportation that helps Dominicans and our environment. It is definitely not a beauty, but this place to see in Santo Domingo is still worth visiting first to think about colonialism and second to see the interesting exhibition in the interior. In this video we're in Santo Domingo, the capital of the Dominican Republic exploring the Colonial Zone for this best things to d. But here is a brief list of the most unique AND delicious ones, in my opinion: Santo Domingo offers a ton of nightlife opportunities in various parts of the city. You could tell that the family has a true passion for geology and Dominican heritage. Tres Ojos National Park, also known as The 3 Eyes National Park, is located only 5 mi (8.05 km) from Santo Domingo, in a beautiful natural setting. So if youre thinking of what to do in Santo Domingo Well, heres a little bit of everything for everyone in this vibrant capital. 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. The best areas to explore are around Villa Altagracia or Bonao, but I would highly recommend you to go with a local guide or a local hiking group. It highlights his fight for freedom from Haiti. How to get there:Both places to visit are walkable within the Colonial Zone. However, I know that for many visitors, the historical sights are not less important when it comes to the things-to-do in Santo Domingo. For the year 2006 there were few places in the Dominican Republic where you could listen to rock music. While many people know about the plenty of art shops or inviting handicraft stores as they are located at the main pedestrian areas, street art in Santo Domingo is one of that things-to-do which often gets overlooked. These are the amazing and most thrilling things to do in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. When in Santo Domingo, explore the Colonial Zone, an UNESCO World Heritage site. It is theoldest continuously-inhabitedEuropean-established settlement in theAmericas. Exactly thats Los Tres Ojos National Park, one of the most unique things-to-do in Santo Domingo. It is free and sits above a Larimar store, so feel free to stroll through and go upstairs to enter the museum. 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. Travel back to 500 years ago as you ride a colonial train while enriching yourself. Therefore, you shall have a look at the following attractions when walking around in La Zona Colonial: All of these sights are within walking distance from each other, most of them within a radius of 15 minutes.If you prefer a certified and professional guide, you can also check out one of the following tours, where you get a lot of historical explanations and background information about the local life. This is a cute place to make your own chocolate bars or chocolate soap. Parque Mirador Sur is also home to cute restaurants, meadows, a little lagoon, and skate/bike rental shops. But Dominican amber is even more special. Entertainment and Nightlife, Free, Neighborhood/Area, Casinos TYPE 2 hours to Half Day TIME TO SPEND This picturesque part of Santo Domingo is where the new overshadows the old: Nowhere in sight. 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. My Blog Post: Heres why and how to visit the Three Eyes National Park! Learn to cook speciality dishes at a Dominican home, and dine with a charming local localite. Visiting Santo Domingo is totally doable on your own. Among the many things to do in Santo Domingo, a must see attraction is the Cathedral of Santo Domingo. In just two hours, you'll feel like a local, knowing all the best spots to eat, drink, dance, and shop. Therefore, as long as you follow this advice, youll have a great time in Santo Domingo and can enjoy all those marvelous things-to-do presented in this comprehensive Santo Domingo travel guide. 27. A lot of the things mentioned in this post are in la Zona Colonial. This botanical garden features collections of ferns, palms, and over 300 types of orchids. Thanks to its performance time from 6 pm to 10 pm it is even (partly) family-friendly as long as you find some chairs to sit (come early to secure your spot!). Grab your shopping bag and write down the grocery list. In this case, you definitely should take a day-trip from Santo Domingo. Therefore, before sunrise and after sunset, it is not recommendable to walk around, especially not alone and outside of the Colonial Zone. Punta Cana Day-TripsPunta Cana ExcursionsPunta Cana Family ActivitiesPunta Cana Family ResortsPunta Cana Free ActivitiesPunta Cana HikingPunta Cana ItineraryPunta Cana MapsPunta Cana NightlifePunta Cana Public TransportPunta Cana SnorkelingPunta Cana Things-to-DoPunta Cana WaterfallsPunta Cana Weather Why go: This cool, tiled . I have lived more than 4 years in Santo Domingo and except for once when I made a mistake and walked outside of the Zona Colonial after dark nothing ever has happened to me. This is a fairly new thing-to-do in Santo Domingo, as the cable car was just inaugurated in 2018. Help Center . Some history of Calle Hostos Shutterstock Historic City Center Plaza with Skyline of Colonial Buildings and Church ( Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic) Experience a special fusion of Chinese-Dominican culture. 9 Regardless of the new changes, Mamey was the former colonial home of Dominican historian Emilio Rodriguez Demorizi. A post shared by Judy JJ (@judz_jj) on Mar 9, 2019 at 6:52pm PST. How to get there:Just walk within the Zona Colonial until the Calle Coln and the Ceiba de Coln. The movie is translated into nine languages for guests to enjoy. It should be one of top things to do if you are visiting Santo Domingo. Sabina, Zona Colonial PUB 91 Bars & Clubs By 251alaind It's one best bar in Santo Domingo, Great music which you can choose,and wonderful cocktail a warm and friendly welcome. Zona Bici is the top bike rental shop in Santo Domingo, offering guided tours and hourly rentals of comfortable, well-maintained bikes. 0.35 USD).Why it is one of the best things-to-do in Santo Domingo:It is the easiest and most economical way to see Santo Domingo from above. 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. And when you're done exploring the city, stop by their shop for a cup of the city's best coffee and a selection of local craft beers. The below things to do in Santo Domingo are ones I personally dont think are that great but are popular. They also have a rooftop terrace with a fantastic view over the basilica, the oldest church in the Americas. Farmers market in Chinatown, Santo Domingo. Chocolate, the comestible most associated with the likes of ice cream, candy, hot cocoa, coffee and so much more. You don't know.. 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. covid-19 coverage): Book it*. 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. It was implemented by architects Eugenio Prez Monts and Manuel Valverde Podest in September in the same year. They have different locations in Santo Domingo so find the one closest to you and book ahead of time. It gives you a good introduction to the importance of rum for the Dominican Republic, but it is more of a typical museum. Exploring the beaches, snorkeling, and hiking are some of the best things to do in Samana DR . Combine a trip here with a visit to the zoo. Honestly, not my favorite museum in Santo Domingo. But if you can turn your brain off to those tidbits and just want a basic day out of learning general the process of how cacao becomes a chocolate bar, then this can be a sweet day of chocolate making/eating. Hello! A mix of a contemporary art gallery, furniture studio and, This powerful, emotionally-charged museum bears witness to a brutal chapter, Learn how the best organic chocolate is made, taste a, The oceanside town of Boca Chica has long drawn tourists. Get a great massage while supporting blind people in the Dominican Republic. 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