The Dominican Republic has lengthy been a preferred 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 pattern 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 value a have a look at as effectively.
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 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 ought to be extra than simply your level of entry to this nation. There are many causes it is 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 seaside areas from Santo Domingo is straightforward by automotive, and public buses are low-cost and cozy as effectively. 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 advised for vacationers.
Note: Santo Domingo is a large sprawling metropolis, and new areas are sprouting up over time. This article will deal with the primary 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 simple stroll to most of the predominant websites, and be capable to pop again to your lodging for a day settle down earlier than heading again out for some improbable nightlife.
Santo Domingo will get scorching, as one may 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 settle down.
Zona Colonial shouldn’t be all that enormous, 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 outdoors the Colonial Quarter, and some of those areas should not 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 attainable, 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 so forth. Tales from precise vacationers offers you a a lot better image of the realm than the property description generally.
There are different areas of this huge metropolis that some vacationers want to remain, resembling Zona Universitaria, Gazcue, or the Malecon space, however actually, in case you are right here to see the Zona Colonial, it’s finest to remain right here and save journey time.
There are additionally some city seaside areas right here you may select, nevertheless it’s probably that you’ll be heading to one of many extra well-known seaside areas, so it’s higher to attend for these.
What To See and Do
The finest strategy to expertise the colonial quarter of Santo Domingo is just to wander and take all of it in. However, except you might be glued to a guidebook, it’s finest to affix one of many metropolis’s many strolling excursions. With a information, you possibly can hear the historical past and get a really feel for the actual heartbeat of this space.
Depending on whenever you go to, you’ll probably 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 also be a small vacationer practice that put-puts its means round a number of the streets with a recorded audio description of the sights. This is an affordable and enjoyable strategy to see a bit with out breaking a sweat.
TIP- take this little practice to scout out good photograph spots which you could circle again for golden hour.
The many eating places and bars within the colonial zone depart you spoiled for alternative right here, and there’s something for everybody’s finances and tastes. Ranging from rooftops, historic buildings, and newer developments, you will discover Dominican meals and anything you may want. One private favourite for a killer view is Sugarcane La Casa Del Ron, the place you possibly can sip and overlook the primary church within the Americas.
For beer lovers, there are additionally a number of very cool breweries scattered in colourful outdated homes within the Zona Colonial. So, be sure you 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 possibly can tear your self away from the meals and drinks, there are lots of cultural issues to see and do right here as effectively.
Parks resembling Independence and Columbus are value 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 in style choices.
Santo Domingo additionally has the Caribbean’s first city cable automotive, and whereas its predominant goal is to make the day by day lives of residents simpler, vacationers are welcome to take pleasure in it as effectively.
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 among its best-kept secrets and techniques.
Literally IN town lies a small however gorgeous cave system which you could go to for subsequent to nothing, and when you can not swim within the blue waters, the views rival any cenote that you just may discover in Mexico.
The Tres Ojos (Three Eyes) National Park is a must-see when visiting Santo Domingo and makes a simple cease on the way in which to the airport should you can prepare 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 massive, this place is improbable, and you are feeling one million miles from the freeway that really runs proper subsequent to the park.
To attain probably the most photogenic spot, convey 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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