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 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 will see 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 must 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 seaside areas from Santo Domingo is straightforward 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 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 important 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 sizzling, as one would possibly count on, 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, excellent for a day quiet down.
Zona Colonial will not be 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 will not be locations to stroll round at evening.
Note: I’m not saying they’re ‘dangerous’ per se, however that they won’t make the typical traveler really feel as comfy as a extra central location.
If doable, 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 will provide you with a significantly better image of the realm 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 truthfully, 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 seaside areas right here you would possibly select, but it surely’s seemingly that you may 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 solely to wander and take all of it in. However, until you’re 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 actual heartbeat of this space.
Depending on if you go to, you’ll seemingly 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 approach round a few 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 prepare to scout out good photograph spots you can 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 finances and tastes. Ranging from rooftops, historic buildings, and newer developments, you could find 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 a number of very cool breweries scattered in colourful previous homes within the Zona Colonial. So, make sure to search these out if you’re right here to pattern a few 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 akin to 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 well-liked choices.
Santo Domingo additionally has the Caribbean’s first city cable automotive, and whereas its important 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 achieve 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 the town lies a small however gorgeous cave system you can go to for subsequent to nothing, and when 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 simple cease on the way in which to the airport in case you can organize together with your driver to attend about half-hour for you. The value 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 1,000,000 miles from the freeway that truly runs proper subsequent to the park.
To attain essentially 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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