The Colonial Zone is the heart of Santo Domingo and the first city settled in the New World. It is home to many historical attractions, including the Alcazar de Colón, the Cathedral of Santa Maria la Menor, and the Plaza de España.
The National Palace is the official residence of the President of the Dominican Republic. It is an impressive building with beautiful gardens and fountains. Tours of the palace are available, allowing visitors to see the grand halls and presidential office.
Adrian Tropical is a popular restaurant in Santo Domingo offering traditional Dominican cuisine. The restaurant is located on the Malecon, providing beautiful ocean views while dining. The mofongo and seafood dishes are highly recommended.
Los Tres Ojos is a park with three limestone caves and underground lakes. Visitors can take a boat tour of the lakes and learn about the history of the caves from a knowledgeable guide. The park also has a beautiful botanical garden and a small zoo.
The Malecon is a boardwalk that runs along the coast of Santo Domingo. It is a popular spot for locals and tourists to take a stroll, enjoy the ocean breeze, and watch the sunset. There are many restaurants and bars along the Malecon for those who want to have a drink or a meal.
Travellers can take a taxi or use a ride-sharing app to travel from one point of interest to another. Taxis are relatively inexpensive, and a ride-sharing app is a convenient and affordable option. Travel time and cost depend on the distance between locations and traffic, but visitors can expect to pay around $5-10 per ride and spend around 15-20 minutes travelling.
If visitors have more time, they can explore more areas of Santo Domingo, such as the Mirador del Este park, Mercado Modelo, and Parque Zoologico Nacional. For those with less time, they can skip Los Tres Ojos or the Malecon and spend more time in the Colonial Zone or National Palace. It is crucial to wear comfortable shoes and light clothing as the weather can be hot and humid.
The main airport in the Dominican Republic is the Punta Cana International Airport (PUJ). It is located in Punta Cana, around 200km east of Santo Domingo. Other airports include Las Americas International Airport (SDQ) in Santo Domingo and Gregorio Luperón International Airport (POP) in Puerto Plata. Las Americas International Airport is the closest to Santo Domingo, around 30 minutes from the city center by car.