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 development exhibits no indicators of slowing down.
With more flights being added from the U.S., vacationers will keep coming to this stunningly stunning tropical island, and for good purpose.
While the beaches are clearly the draw right here (as they need to be), there are locations inland price a take a look at as nicely.
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 repeatedly inhabited European metropolis in all the Americas. Here you will see that the most important 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 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 simple by automobile, and public buses are low-cost and comfy as nicely. 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 prompt for vacationers.
Note: Santo Domingo is a big sprawling metropolis, and new areas are sprouting up over time. This article will deal with 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 most of the essential websites, and be capable to pop again to your lodging for a day calm down earlier than heading again out for some unbelievable nightlife.
Santo Domingo will get sizzling, as one would possibly anticipate, 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 calm down.
Zona Colonial isn’t 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 aren’t locations to stroll round at night time.
Note: I’m not saying they’re ‘dangerous’ per se, however that they may not make the common traveler really feel as comfy as a extra central location.
If potential, keep IN the Colonial Zone, not ‘nearby’. The finest tip for that is to learn the opinions earlier than reserving, particularly search for mentions of “safe, walking, night,” and many others. Tales from precise vacationers will provide you with a significantly better image of the world than the property description most often.
There are different areas of this massive metropolis that some vacationers choose to remain, akin to Zona Universitaria, Gazcue, or the Malecon space, however actually, 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 seashore areas right here you would possibly select, but it surely’s possible that you can be heading to one of many extra well-known seashore areas, so it’s higher to attend for these.
What To See and Do
The finest option to expertise the colonial quarter of Santo Domingo is just to wander and take all of it in. However, until you might be glued to a guidebook, it’s finest to affix one of many metropolis’s many strolling excursions. With a information, you may hear the historical past and get a really feel for the true heartbeat of this space.
Depending on whenever 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 prepare that put-puts its means round among the streets with a recorded audio description of the sights. This is an inexpensive and enjoyable option to see a bit with out breaking a sweat.
TIP- take this little prepare to scout out good photograph spots that you may circle again for golden hour.
The many eating places and bars within the colonial zone go away you spoiled for alternative right here, and there’s something for everybody’s price range and tastes. Ranging from rooftops, historic buildings, and newer developments, you could find Dominican meals and anything 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 a number of very cool breweries scattered in colourful previous homes within the Zona Colonial. So, make sure you search these out if you’re 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.
If you may tear your self away from the meals and drinks, there are lots of cultural issues to see and do right here as nicely.
Parks akin to Independence and Columbus are price a go to, as are the numerous museums and historic websites to discover.
Museum of the Royal Houses, Museo del Larimar, the Amber World Museum, and Alcazar de Colon are all widespread choices.
Santo Domingo additionally has the Caribbean’s first city cable automobile, and whereas its essential objective is to make the each day lives of residents simpler, vacationers are welcome to get pleasure from it as nicely.
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 folks come to Santo Domingo and miss out on one in every of its best-kept secrets and techniques.
Literally IN town lies a small however gorgeous cave system that you may go to for subsequent to nothing, and whilst you can not swim within the blue waters, the views rival any cenote that you simply 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 best way to the airport if you happen to can organize together 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 giant, this place is unbelievable, and you’re feeling 1,000,000 miles from the freeway that really runs proper subsequent to the park.
To attain probably the most photogenic spot, carry 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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