A week in Santo Domingo and its surroundings
2024
Highlights of the trip
During your stay you can enjoy the following highlights: Culture / Heritage, Discovery, Free time, Relaxation / Well-being.
Best times to go
The best time(s) to go is/are : Printemps, Automne, Hiver.
Petit Futé
Where to stay - Santo Domingo ?
The map of your stay "A week in Santo Domingo and its surroundings"
Detail of the stay : A week in Santo Domingo and its surroundings
How to get there - Santo Domingo
The colonial city
Steps: Santo Domingo
Arrival in Santo Domingo, which is home to most of the country's cultural heritage. The colonial city, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, contains many testimonies of Spanish colonization, including religious or civil buildings that have now been magnificently restored. The morning is devoted to a visit to the Alcazar de Colón, Diego Colón's former residence converted into a fascinating museum, and to the Casa de Nicolas de Ovando, where you can take a well-deserved break in its shaded patio. In the afternoon, discover the jewel of Santo Domingo: the Catedral Santa María la menor primada de América. Built between 1514 and 1540, it is the oldest cathedral in the Americas. To finish the day, sit on the terrace in a café in Parque Colón to the sounds of Latin rhythms of street musicians.
Places of interest : CASA DE NICOLAS DE OVANDO ALCÁZAR DE COLÓN CATEDRAL SANTA MARÍA LA MENOR PRIMADA DE AMÉRICA PARQUE COLÓN
Museums
Steps: Santo Domingo
Stay in one of the charming hotels in the historic centre, in the very heart of the colonial area, follow in the footsteps of the first conquistadors, enjoy the softness and charm of the architecture, discover the adventures of the past on foot or by carriage. In the morning visit the imposing Faro a Colón in the east of the city, built to the glory of Christopher Columbus. Then leave for the Plaza de la Cultura and learn about the many museums on the site: the Dominican Man Museum, the Natural History Museum and the Museum of Modern Art. At the end of the day, stroll along Calle Conde, walking in the shade like the locals. Dinner on the Plaza España with a view of the illuminated Alcazar de Colón.
Places of interest : ALCÁZAR DE COLÓN PLAZA DE LA CULTURA MUSEO DEL HOMBRE DOMINICANO MUSEO DE HISTORIA NATURAL MUSEO DE ARTE MODERNO FARO A COLÓN
Architectural Treasures and Bachata
Steps: Santo Domingo
Get lost in the streets of the colonial city and discover the treasures of architecture at every corner and visit the Chinese quarter. His walk in the Botanical Garden in the north of the city, in the shade of big trees... Go dancing the bachata in the best discos in the capital.
Places of interest : JARDÍN BOTÁNICO NACIONAL
Boca Chica
Steps: Santo Domingo
Go by bus for Boca Chica (1 hour), enjoy seafood before diving in the turquoise waters of the city's natural pools, stroll a little. On the back, a stop at Los Tres Ojos. Take a guide to fully appreciate the freshness of this cave to the three (four in reality) small pools of azure water where legends blend into reality.
Places of interest : LOS TRES OJOS
Discovery of Taïna culture
The next day, visit La Romana and visit the Cueva de las Maravillas to learn more about the taïna culture, native of the island before the arrival of the colonists...
San Pedro de Macorís
Steps: Santo Domingo
Finally leave for San Pedro de Macorís (70 km), discover the neoclassical architecture of the second largest city in the country, founded in 1870. Return to Santo Domingo, stroll on the Seawall, place of life of evenings, lovers or between friends, for a beer or simply for a sunset...
