If you pay attention you get to learn the tricks, recipes and techniques Dominicans use to prepare some of the best authentic local dishes. Thats just one of the reasons why you should explore the world of chocolate in the Dominican Republic. Have a taste of the citys culture, tradition and its amazing cuisines, all after an amazing tour of the city. I first came here for a discussion on the history of slavery in the Dominican Republic. Santo Domingo is full of local artists who sell their handmade crafts. This is a vital means of everyday local transportation that helps Dominicans and our environment. Another Santo Domingo museum that I initially felt kind of meh about, but in hindsight, I think it is one of the better ones. You drive for about two hours to Los Cacaos in the province of San Cristobal. However, in the historic center, the Zona Colonial, you can easily walk around in the evening and even at night as long as the streets are well-lit and located in the main area where everything is happening. These museums include. You wont find tourists in this underrated gem even though its one of the best places in Santo Domingo to visit for culture and history! The National Zoological Park of the Dominican Republic suffices an educational need in the country. Dominican Republic Hotels Dominican Republic Guest House Dominican Republic Holiday Homes Dominican Republic Holiday Packages Dominican Republic Flights Dominican Republic Restaurants Dominican Republic Attractions Dominican Republic Travel Forum Dominican Republic Photos Dominican Republic Map Dominican Republic Visitors Guide All Dominican . Step into Dominican history at the palace of Diego Coln, Check out the best beaches near Santo Domingo Beaches like, Once a year, Santo Domingo hosts the DRs biggest Pride, Come discover one of the most colorful and joyous festivals, Explore treasure, maps, weapons and other artefacts from the Spanish, Get more travel inspiration, tips and exclusive offers sent straight to your inbox, I would like to get Visit Dominican Republic newsletters in my inbox. From amazing national reserves to outstanding heritage sites, the capital of the Dominican Republic has it all. How to get there:You can take an Uber or a local taxi right to the entrance or take the Santo Domingo Metro until the station Estacin Francisco Gregorio Billini and walk around half a mile northbound until you reach the entrance.Cost:The entrance fee for tourists is around 5 USD (250 DOP).Why it is one of the best things-to-do in Santo Domingo:Together with Los Tres Ojos National Park, the Botanical Garden is one of the few green places in Santo Domingo. - See 249 traveler reviews, 76 candid photos, and great deals for Dominican Republic, at Tripadvisor. Bird-watchers take note, this is one of the best places in Santo Domingo to see rare avian species. The Dominican Republics Three Eyes National Park is a nature reserve and open-air limestone cave system with a series of crystal clear lakes known as the eyes. Located in Santo Domingo, just ten minutes by car from the popular Colonial Zone, the park provides a sweet respite from the hustle and bustle of the busy city. Last time, I also visited their VERY cute cafe upstairs (pictured above) but Im not sure if its still open. The garden also offers plenty of other attractions to explore, including the Herbarium, the Ecological Museum, and the Endemic Plants area. Both tourist attractions can be best reached by taxi or Uber.Cost:The entrance fee to Faro a Coln is approx. A post shared by Judy JJ (@judz_jj) on Mar 9, 2019 at 6:52pm PST. The club offers you ample amenities for a great experience. Santo Domingo is also the perfect launching pad for various day and side trips, making it an auspicious destination to stop by and recharge in between your travels throughout the Dominican Republic. Unsubscribe in one click. At first, watch a wonderful 4D movie that showcases the history of the city. Youll learn about the islands history, from the Tainos to the Spanish invasion to our African heritage. Ride a Trikke, which is a three-wheeled electric scooter. The plays are only performed in Spanish, so it is best to have at least some familiarity with the language to fully enjoy the show. Sign-up for the latest Punta Cana travel stories! 9 When in Santo Domingo, explore the Colonial Zone, an UNESCO World Heritage site. The establishment is not only a mausoleum but also a museum exhibiting items such as a Cuban boat and Colombian jewellery. Tiradentes, this stadium can be easily accessed from major city hotels and guest houses. The park is the right place to check out birds and vegetation native to the island. Toque Angelical Massage by Blind Masseuse, 28. The exterior of the building shows elements from the Renaissance period while its interior has facets of a Gothic design. They are open in the evenings and tickets for a show cost around DOP $300 pesos. Without further ado, let's take a look at the best things to do in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. This quaint park is situated just under the Bella Vista neighborhood on the luxurious Anacaona street. See our privacy policy for more information on how we use your data. This is probably the most popular day-trip from Santo Domingo, especially when people are missing the beach in the city. Among the treats not to be missed are cativia (wheat empanadas), salpicon (chilled seafood and vegetables), sancocho (rich meat stew), and pastel en hoja (boiled root crops and meat in banana leaf). You can see a little bit of everything here. It should be one of top things to do if you are visiting Santo Domingo. Rafael Trujillo, the dictator, assumed office at the Royal Houses. Indeed, there are tons of fun things to do in Dominican Republic with kids if you're looking for full immersion during your stay. Check their website for more info. A mix of a contemporary art gallery, furniture studio and, This powerful, emotionally-charged museum bears witness to a brutal chapter, Learn how the best organic chocolate is made, taste a, The oceanside town of Boca Chica has long drawn tourists. Your email address will not be published. Santo Domingo boasts amazing beaches and breathtaking holiday rentals and amazing hotels, attracting tourists from around the globe to come and have a taste of the Caribbean beach and the tranquillity it offers. For less than .50 cents USD you can ride the spotlessly clean metro in Santo Domingo and then get a free connection to the telefrico (cable car) that takes you up and above and through various neighborhoods reaching just below the outskirts of La Victoria. First, there is the El Museo del Ron, which focuses on the history of rum and showcases some traditional exhibits. The interactions are personal (that is, with direct interaction between staff and clients) and hands-on. With the crystalline waters of the three lakes comes a rich fauna where you can find bats, ferns and fish. Here youll also get to meet German exchange students. For further impressions of baseball, you can see baseball fields all around the country, even in the smallest villages you see the locals playing. Oops, this activity is currently unavailable. The upstairs space for art and community meetups may have been turned into something else. But its still new. https://www.colonialzone-dr.com/calle-hostos/. National Zoological Park Toucan at the National Zoological Park It is a refreshing day trip from Santo Domingos city living and a great way to explore our countrys eastern natural wonders. Youll find local artists, local theatre, local community centers, local LGBT bars, and much more! And once you do this I highly recommend you to book one of those accommodations with a colonial charm, so that you can feel the full historical vibe of the area. But Dominican amber is even more special. I have to say that I wasnt that much impressed with the food when I was there, but this was also already 5 years ago. Santo Domingos most historic neighbourhood is also its most romantic, lively, and cultural. If you like to go clubbing, there are several spots in Santo Domingo for that, which Im not at all familiar with. National Park East, also known as Cotubanama National Park, is just two hours from Santo Domingo. This Afro Heritage Tour delves deep into the history and legacy of our African ancestors in Santo Domingo. They have a production area in each boutique, open for you to see. Santo Domingo Travel Guide! You can also do a work exchange to have a more unique experience in the area. Youll need to take public transportation or an uber to get there, which will take around 30 minutes (depending on traffic). It has new owners which have shifted it from a cultural space to it feeling like more of a nightlife spot called Ximena. The comfortable space often hosts locally renowned artists, while its beverages list includes exceptional, creative cocktails for the most discerning tastes. It is further north than most of the other things-to-do in the Colonial Zone of Santo Domingo.Cost:Street art in Santo Domingo is for free.Why it is one of the best things-to-do in Santo Domingo:It is a low-key attraction in Santo Domingo and very less-known, but street art is always a creative way to get to know a city. In addition to the plays, this theater also offers dining, with a large bar area and various seating options. National Botanical Gardens Initially made to explore and preserve the natural plants of Santo Domingo, the National Botanical Garden is a beautiful and stunning setting in which you can appreciate the scenery and tropical environment of the Dominican Republic. Even you might read a lot of stories about Santo Domingo, mentioning how dangerous Santo Domingo is, this is usually not true if you stick to the areas mentioned in this article of the best things-to-do in Santo Domingo, if you avoid the things explained in this section and if you dont get involved in any shady business (usually the top 3 causing problems are alcohol, sex and drugs). Check out the following bars and nightlife spots in Santo Domingo (again, once Covid-19 is over and everything is back to normal): There are other areas for nightlife in Santo Domingo as well, but Id recommend sticking to the Colonial Zone first as it is the safest place to be. There are 2 or 3 blocks, including Calle General Cabral, where you can find some interesting street art. During its storied 350 . It your first time in Santo Domingo as first time traveler and you are looking for things to do in Dominican Republic but there one problem. SHARING IS CARING! Please note that throughout this post Ive already mentioned a few great places to spend a night out. The Microteatro space is in a beautiful colonial building and as such has an open-air courtyard where you can eat and drink. If you are interested in the best things-to-do in Punta Cana, continue reading here.If you want to visit Santo Domingo from Punta Cana, have a look at how to get from Punta Cana to Santo Domingo. Ok, cacao and chocolate are not yours? Both are walkable from every accommodation within the Colonial Zone*. They also offer a range of mouthwatering cocktails, including Pia Titi, Sangra del Huerto, and mojito Campo Abierto. You can either hire a driver or book this tour which includes another waterfall, Sierra de Agua. Museo Infantil Trampolin - Santo Domingo Calle Las Danas Santo Domingo, DR (809) 685-5551 Trampolin's Children Museum is a beloved legacy founded by the former First Lady of the Republic. The rest of the hike (4 hours round trip) consists of gorgeous natural pools enveloped by tall limestone cliffs and mountains. Address: Calle Isabel La Catlica, Santo Domingo 10210, Dominican Republic, Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 9am - 5pm; Sun: 10am - 6pm. Relax in the Dominican Alps But Santo Domingo, once the capital of the Hispanic Americas, is one of the most fascinating and exciting cities to visit! Independencia Km. Ive been reading all of your posts about Dominican Republic while planning a visit next week. The park gets its name from the three eye-shaped underground lakes inside caverns. The Botanical Garden is located on Avenida Repblica de Colombia. This magnificent natural process happened thousands of years ago. This is a cute place to make your own chocolate bars or chocolate soap. Its fun to watch their production methods and everyday operations. How to get there:Depending on the accommodation you choose, most Airbnbs are easily accessible by Uber, taxi or (to a lesser extent) public transport.Cost:Accommodation in Santo Domingo can reach from 30 to 300 USD per night.Why it is one of the best things-to-do in Santo Domingo:Not only the tourist attractions in Santo Domingo can be spectacular, also your accommodation can be truly unique and memorable.Further information: The 27 best Airbnbs in Santo Domingo (hand-picked and recommended). Check out Ciudad Colonial (Colonial City) (from USD 45.0), 29. Personally, I feel like there is a lot of copy/paste type of souvenirs here. La F, Av. If you cant go in for a play, at least try to catch a glimpse of its neoclassical architectural magnificence in the beautiful Plaza de la Cultura. For the year 2006 there were few places in the Dominican Republic where you could listen to rock music. Did you know that the Dominican Republic is the No. The corner of Arzobispo Merino and Calle El Conde offers the perfect spot to catch a glimpse of the picturesque Zona Colonial. Take a ride with the Telefrico (Santo Domingo cable car) Walk along the Malecn of Santo Domingo Visit the Botanical Garden of Santo Domingo Visit a baseball match in Santo Domingo Dine at Santo Domingos most unique restaurant Day-trips from Santo Domingo (things-to-do outside of the city) Head for a beach day to Juan Dolio or Boca Chica Tours of the cathedral are conducted regularly with access to the interior, exterior and extended grounds. But also if you just have a few hours in Santo Domingo, dont miss the Colonial Zone you will love it. Cayacoa Golf Club is one-of-a-kind in town for members and visitors to have a good time in Santo Domingo. 18 USD for the tour.Why it is one of the best things-to-do in Santo Domingo:The Dominican rum has a leading reputation in the world, so it is worth having a closer look.Further information: Sugar Cane Experience*. It is free and sits above a Larimar store, so feel free to stroll through and go upstairs to enter the museum. 41. It was privately founded in 1999 by Juan Jose Bellapart. Thats why it is recommendable to leave your valuables at home. So here they are just in case something really calls out to you: Here are some gorgeous and unique places to stay in Santo Domingo. When you stroll through the Colonial Zone of Santo Domingo, you can admire all the historical houses with their colorful fronts and explore the stories each building has to tell. Travel into the past with a day trip to Santo Domingothe capital of the Dominican Republic. Today, I do enjoy a chill night out once in a blue if the vibe is right. ChocoMuseo was designed to share knowledge about cacao. My Beginners Guide to Living in Santo Domingo, favorite waterfalls in the Dominican Republic, this tour which includes another waterfall, Best Places In the Dominican Republic to Visit Beyond Punta Cana, 10 Reasons to Visit Monte Cristi in the Dominican Republic, Hiking Pico Duarte in the Dominican Alps: Conquering the Tallest Mountain in the Caribbean, How to Get to Bahia de las Aguilas from Santo Domingo via Public Transportation, I Caught the Dreaded Amoeba Parasite in DR: What Happened & How I Treated It, A Guide to Moving to & Living in Santo Domingo, Visiting the Three Eyes National Park (Los Tres Ojos) in Santo Domingo, Prejudices Against the Dominican Accent & Anti-Dominican Sentiment, Dominican Republic Road Trip to the Dominican Southwest (2018), 15 Cool Things to do in Cabarete, Dominican Republic, Jarabacoa Travel Guide: 21 Fun Things to Do + Best Restaurants & Accommodation. For more information on how we use your data the Ecological museum and... 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