Location: Santo Domingo
Top Things to do in Santo Domingo
What to do and see in Santo Domingo, Santo Domingo Province: The Best Budget-friendly Things to do
Santo Domingo, the capital of the Dominican Republic and a UNESCO world heritage site, is the oldest continuously inhabited European settlement in the Americas and one of the most populous cities in the Caribbean. The city is a mix of old world charm and modern Latin flair. Its medieval palaces and fortresses mix with nightlife and shopping to rival any modern city in the world. You'll find pristine beaches and hidden gems like a salsa/merengue club set inside a huge underground cave.
Restaurants in Santo Domingo
1. Calle Las Damas
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,097 reviews
This cobblestone street, the first ever built in the New World, is known for its numerous beautiful structures from centuries past.
Reviewed By PeeJay0708 - Stredokluky, Czech Republic
We heard a lot of this street before we came to St. Domingo the first time. Nice to walk along this historical street up to the very center of mediaval town.
2. Alcazar de Colon
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,688 reviews
Built by Christopher Columbus's son between 1510 and 1514, this restored building was one of the first structures built in the oldest remaining European city in the Americas.
Reviewed By BennyC_12 - Sanford, United States
Excellent piece of preserved real estate! Located in the Zona Colonial, this should be on your must see list.
3. The 3 Eyes National Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,449 reviews
A group of interconnected caves near Santo Domingo.
Reviewed By LuizDutraNeto - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
The "Monumento Natural Cueva Los Tres Ojos", also known as "Parque Nacional Los Tres Ojos", is probably the most visited attraction in Santo Domingo! The caves and lagoons were discovered about a hundred years ago and are really breathtaking! A winding staircase leads visitors to a series of limestone caves. An underground river - "La Brujuela - feeds freshwater to three interconnected lagoons, locally called "eyes" for their eye-oval-shapes. The first one, "Lago de Azufre", is famous for its blue waters (due to the presence of calcium minerals in its composition and not due to sulphurous waters, as initially believed), stalactites and stalagmites. Then comes "Lago La Nevera", named after its cold waters. The third "eye", "Lago Las Damas", the shallowest one, was mostly used by women and children. Years later, a fourth lake was discovered, but unlikely the other "eyes", this one is not underground, but open-air and surrounded by a rocky landscape and lush vegetation. It is called "Lago Los Zaramagullones" after some native ducks, and is the deepest one, with beautiful small fishes swimming on its crystal clear waters. Take your time and visit the park, its caves and lakes. You will never regret! Enjoy!
4. Museo De Las Casas Reales
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 440 reviews
This museum contains artifacts and other historical exhibits on Santo Domingo from 1492 to 1821.
Reviewed By kingflete - Boston, United States
This place is huge. I loved the garden (although the upkeep could use some work). Overall a good place to blow off an hour or two in a cool shaded breezy palace.
5. Parque Colon
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 915 reviews
One of Santo Domingo's main gathering places, this plaza has a bronze statue of Columbus at its center.
Reviewed By worldmaps - New York City, United States
Perfect to sit down and people-watch. Lots of activities at the park - performers, music, food, and a beautiful church.
6. National Botanical Garden
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 554 reviews
Full of flowers and plants native to the island, the gardens offer tram tours of the facilities.
Reviewed By pamgarner15 - Mesa, United States
The Botanical Gardens show off the natural beauty of the Dominican Republic. The architect did a masterful job of designing the grounds. I love the Japanese gardens I also enjoyed the walking tour. This is well worth the 200 pesos or 4 American dollars.
7. Amber World Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 165 reviews
In this Museum you will find the historical and scientific data on the time of the creation of amber, the animals and vegetation of that era that were fossilized in the amber, and everything concerning the formation and the characteristics of this gem.All the pieces on display in the cabinets, on the panels, in the large wide-field microscopes, dioramas, audio-visual and interactive technology have the purpose to transport you back to the origin of amber.You can also find fine pieces of jewellry to take back home in the jewelry shop we have mounted as a request of many visitors.
Reviewed By JuliaO364 - Miami Beach, United States
This museum is dedicated to the unique stones found in Dominican Republic, most specificallyAmber. You will only find Amber and Larimar jewelry in this store . The workmanship and the quality of the stones, however, is much superior to what you can find in other gift shops. This locale is a museum as well. The entrance of the museum is a staircase whose handrail is made of amber.It is a small but extremely interesting place, well worth a visit.
8. Sambil Santo Domingo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 277 reviews
9. Museo Memorial de la Resistencia
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 72 reviews
Reviewed By andrewmU2655XD
The Memorial Museum of the Dominican Resistance is also known as a museum of political repression. The exhibits are contained in a two story building on Calle Arzobispo Nouel, which is a short walk east of Independence Square. The admission fee is RD$150, and is very reasonable for an excellently laid out museum. The main exhibits are on the second floor, so after paying, head to the stairs where you will see paintings depicting the USA invasions in 1916 and 1965. This sets the tone for the exhibition, which has a piece on types of dictatorship at the top of the stairs, before entering the main display halls. The halls detail, in chronological order, the many stories and heroes of resistance against the Trujillo regime and the civil war period after the dictators death. The exhibits include the DR armed forces, 1916-1924 USA invasion & gavilleros guerrilla movement, 1930-1931 beginning of resistance against Trujillo, 1932 Mariel expedition, 1933-34 conspiracy of Santiago, 1937 Hatian genocide, 1949 Luperon Bay invasion, 1959 – Constanza, Maimon & Estero Hondo invasion, 1959 founding of the 14th June movement, 1960-Mirabel sisters death and 1963 - death of Manolo Tavarez Justo. Note that all exhibits are in Spanish, and an audio guide can be rented downstairs for an additional RD$40 payment. I was familiar with the history of resistance having visited many of the sites and monuments throughout the country, so did not use the audio guide. The most impressive sections included the 1959 invasion, which had a large area dedicated to each of the three areas where battles took place, the Mirabel sisters memorial area, which has touching images and tributes to them and the sculpture of Justo, leader of the 14th June movement. The most touching area, was a passageway designed as a bridge. It was titled,"One more Dominican day", and is a tribute to those who died in the American invasion of 1965, known as "Operation Power Pack". This area had a photo of an American soldier hitting a Dominican with a rifle, and nearby was a section titled,"Versainogram to Santo Domingo". This section contains a poem by the poet Versainas, who was protesting the landing of marines in Santo Domingo. He published and distributed leaflets of his poem in Valparaíso and Santiago in 1966. An excerpt from his poem includes,"they are shooting every day against defenseless Dominicans. As in Vietnam, the killer is strong, but in the long run the people will win”. The final section upstairs has details of the political history of the DR after the civil war. The exit leads to a courtyard below, where a canon and paintings can be viewed. Just beyond this area is a replica of the infamous "La Cuarenta" prison. A short walk downstairs leads to a video room, with pictures and models of instruments of torture used by the dictator. On the way back to the lobby, a memorial room with quotes from Jose Marti, Gregorio Luperon and Manolo Justo is a must see. A gift shop is next to the exit.
10. Agora Mall
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 904 reviews
Reviewed By Glasgow3016
I enjoy very much to stroll through shopping malls world wide and it was a pleasant surprise to have experienced Agora Mall. Wide selection of top class stores, plenty of facilities, clean and inviting.
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