Why You Shouldn’t Miss This Historic City In The Dominican Republic

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The Dominican Republic has lengthy been a well-liked 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 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 the entire Americas. Here you’ll find 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 ought to 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 seashore areas from Santo Domingo is straightforward by automotive, and public buses are low cost and comfy as properly. 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 instructed for vacationers. 

Note: Santo Domingo is a large 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 simple stroll to most of the foremost websites, and have the ability to pop again to your lodging for a day calm down earlier than heading again out for some improbable nightlife. 

Santo Domingo will get sizzling, 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 lots of lodging choices with swimming pools, excellent for a day calm down. 

Zona Colonial is just not all that enormous, however fortunately there are quite a few leases and boutique inns 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 should 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 comfy as a extra central location. 

If attainable, keep IN the Colonial Zone, not ‘nearby’. The greatest tip for that is to learn the evaluations earlier than reserving, particularly search for mentions of “safe, walking, night,” and so on. Tales from precise vacationers offers you a significantly better image of the world than the property description most often. 

There are different areas of this massive metropolis that some vacationers choose to remain, equivalent to Zona Universitaria, Gazcue, or the Malecon space, however truthfully, 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, nevertheless it’s probably that you’ll 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, except you’re glued to a guidebook, it’s greatest to affix one of many metropolis’s many strolling excursions. With a information, you’ll be able to hear the historical past and get a really feel for the true heartbeat of this space. 

Depending on if you go to, you’ll probably 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 manner round a number of the streets with a recorded audio description of the sights. This is an inexpensive and enjoyable option to see a bit with out breaking a sweat.

TIP- take this little practice to scout out good picture spots you could 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 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’ll be able to sip and overlook the primary church within the Americas.  

For beer lovers, there are additionally a couple of very cool breweries scattered in colourful previous homes within the Zona Colonial. So, remember to 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’ll be able to tear your self away from the meals and drinks, there are lots of cultural issues to see and do right here as properly.

Parks equivalent to Independence and Columbus are price a go to, as are the numerous museums and historic websites to discover.

Museum of the Royal Houses, Museo del Larimar, the Amber World Museum, and Alcazar de Colon are all widespread choices. 

Santo Domingo additionally has the Caribbean’s first city cable automotive, and whereas its foremost goal is to make the every day lives of residents simpler, vacationers are welcome to get pleasure from 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 true 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 certainly one of its best-kept secrets and techniques.

Literally IN town lies a small however beautiful cave system 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 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 if you happen to can organize along 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’re feeling 1,000,000 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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This article initially appeared on TravelOffPath.com