The Zona Colonial is the historic district in Santo Domingo, the oldest European city in the New World. It has plenty of Dominican history and culture, including the Alcázar de Colón, which was once the palace of Diego Colón, Christopher Columbus’s son, and the Catedral Primada de América, the first cathedral built in the Americas.
Punta Cana is known for its beaches, resorts, and nightlife. The beaches are the biggest attraction with a wide range of facilities from the high-end all-inclusive resorts to the beachfront bars and restaurants. You can also explore the small town of Cortecito for authentic Dominican food and drinks.
Transportation in Santo Domingo is cheap with buses, taxis, and Uber being the most common travel options. For Punta Cana, buses, taxis, and rental cars are the best options, with buses being the cheapest form of transportation, but rental cars offer more flexibility. The cost of transportation varies between $1-$30 depending on the mode of transport.
If you have more time, you can explore other parts of Santo Domingo like the Malecón or the National Botanical Garden or visit other beaches in Punta Cana such as Playa Bavaro or Macao Beach. If you have less time, you can skip Cortecito and use the extra time to relax on the beach or explore more of Zona Colonial.
The main airport in the Dominican Republic is Las Americas International Airport (SDQ), located in Santo Domingo. It is about 30 minutes away from Zona Colonial, the starting point for the itinerary.