The Dominican Republic has lengthy been a well-liked trip spot, and this yr 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 pattern reveals no indicators of slowing down.
With more flights being added from the U.S., vacationers will keep coming to this stunningly lovely tropical island, and for good cause.
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 properly.
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’ll discover the biggest 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 it’s best 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 automotive, and public buses are low cost and cozy as properly. Santo Domingo has UBER, so getting across the metropolis shouldn’t be a difficulty, 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 give attention to the primary vacationer draw of the Zona Colonial.
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Where To Stay
The greatest 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 lots of the foremost websites, and have the ability to pop again to your lodging for a day quiet down earlier than heading again out for some improbable nightlife.
Santo Domingo will get scorching, 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 various lodging choices with swimming pools, good for a day quiet down.
Zona Colonial isn’t all that giant, however fortunately there are quite a few leases and boutique lodges 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 usually are not locations to stroll round at evening.
Note: I’m not saying they’re ‘dangerous’ per se, however that they won’t make the common traveler really feel as snug as a extra central location.
If attainable, keep IN the Colonial Zone, not ‘nearby’. The greatest 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 a lot better image of the world than the property description most often.
There are different areas of this huge metropolis that some vacationers want to remain, comparable to Zona Universitaria, Gazcue, or the Malecon space, however actually, in case you are right here to see the Zona Colonial, it’s greatest to remain right here and save journey time.
There are additionally some city seashore areas right here you would possibly select, however it’s possible that you may 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 greatest option to expertise the colonial quarter of Santo Domingo is solely to wander and take all of it in. However, until you might be glued to a guidebook, it’s greatest 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 actual heartbeat of this space.
Depending on whenever you go to, you’ll possible see A LOT of tour teams, a lot 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 practice that put-puts its method round a number of the streets with a recorded audio description of the sights. This is an affordable and enjoyable option to see a bit with out breaking a sweat.
TIP- take this little practice to scout out good photograph spots that you may circle again for golden hour.
The many eating places and bars within the colonial zone depart you spoiled for selection right here, and there’s something for everybody’s funds and tastes. Ranging from rooftops, historic buildings, and newer developments, you will discover Dominican meals and the rest 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 just a few very cool breweries scattered in colourful outdated homes within the Zona Colonial. So, you should definitely search these out in case you are right here to pattern a number of 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 various cultural issues to see and do right here as properly.
Parks comparable to Independence and Columbus are price a go to, as are the various museums and historic websites to discover.
Museum of the Royal Houses, Museo del Larimar, the Amber World Museum, and Alcazar de Colon are all well-liked choices.
Santo Domingo additionally has the Caribbean’s first city cable automotive, and whereas its foremost objective is to make the every day lives of residents simpler, vacationers are welcome to take pleasure in it as properly.
Take the clear and environment friendly subway or an Uber to succeed in the station and luxuriate in a birds of view of the actual 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 all its best-kept secrets and techniques.
Literally IN town lies a small however beautiful cave system that you may go to for subsequent to nothing, and whilst you can’t 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 way in which to the airport in the event you can organize along 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 massive, this place is improbable, and you’re feeling one million miles from the freeway that truly runs proper subsequent to the park.
To attain essentially the most photogenic spot, deliver a few additional {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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