City guides
Dominican Republic
Things to do in Santo Domingo
Santo Domigo has an array of historical and natural attractions to suit even the most discerning traveller. Though situated right on the Caribbean Sea, Santo Domingo isn't a beach town. Instead, visitors should spend some time at historically significant sites such as the Catedral Primada de America or the Fortaleza Ozama.
Visitors should also allot an hour or two for the architecturally significant and visually awesome Columbus Lighthouse, which now houses the alleged remains of Christopher Columbus. And then there's the Malecon, which some say is the best nightlife available in the Caribbean.
Whatever a traveller's tastes, Santo Domingo is both big enough to entertain for days and small enough to cover in a solid day of sightseeing and cultural exploring. With plenty of attractions to entertain and amaze for the whole family, the diversity of the city is really shown through various sights, from the natural beauty of the Los Tres Ojos National Park to the historical splendour of the Colonial Zone of Santo Domingo.
Cathedral of Santa Maria
Inside the Colonial City stands the oldest cathedral in the western hemisphere. Consecrated in 1541, it is still used to this day. Its mix of late-Gothic and Renaissance elements p…
Colonial City
Known as the Colonial City, the historic enclave of Santo Domingo covers only one square mile (3 sq km), but has dozens of historical sites and buildings behind its walls. Visitors…
Columbus Lighthouse Monument
The monument was built on the eastern shore of the Ozama River in the early 1990s, to commemorate both Santo Domingo's status as the oldest European city in the Americas, and the 5…
National Aquarium
One of the better aquariums in the Caribbean lies about a mile east of the Columbus Lighthouse monument, and offers visitors guided glimpses of the region's diverse, colourful sea …
Plaza de la Cultura
The vast green square in the heart of Santo Domingo serves as the city's cultural and artistic showcase. It's fronted by a cluster of four museums and houses the city's most import…
Los Tres Ojos National Park
Located on the east bank of the Ozama River, the 'Three Eyes' park is a surreal experience for visitors. The attraction is actually a series of huge natural caves that contain fres…
Boca Chica
The small seaside town of Boca Chica lies just east of Santo Domingo on the Avenida de las Americas, and is a popular escape from city life. Its calm, crystal-clear waters make for…
