Places / North & Central America / Dominican Republic
Santo Domingo
Not been yet
At a glance
- Country
- Dominican Republic
- Region
- Distrito Nacional
- Population
- 1 million
- Best time to go
- December to April
- Main airport
- Las Américas International (SDQ)
- Coordinates
- 18.49°N, 69.93°W
Visited Still to go Click a pin or country to read more. Zoom with + and −, a double-click or a pinch.
Overview
Santo Domingo was the first permanent European city in the Americas, and its Ciudad Colonial still has the continent's first cathedral, fortress and paved streets, now filled with cafés, courtyards and music.
Beyond the old town it's a big, noisy, cheerful Caribbean capital, with merengue blasting from cars and families out on the seafront Malecón at dusk. Most visitors head straight for the resorts, which is their loss.
Things to see
-
Photo: Desox7x, CC0 Ciudad Colonial
A grid of 16th-century stone streets, plazas and mansions, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
-
Photo: Mariordo (Mario Roberto Durán Ortiz), CC BY-SA 4.0 Cathedral of Santa María la Menor
The oldest cathedral in the Americas, with a coral-stone façade facing Parque Colón.
-
Photo: Caribeanvybz, CC BY-SA 4.0 Alcázar de Colón
The palace of Christopher Columbus's son Diego, overlooking the Ozama River.
Tickets and tours -
Photo: Mariordo (Mario Roberto Durán Ortiz), CC BY-SA 4.0 Fortaleza Ozama
A squat stone fortress guarding the river mouth, the oldest of its kind in the Americas.
Tickets and tours -
Photo: Danu Widjajanto, CC BY-SA 4.0 Los Tres Ojos
Limestone caves on the east bank holding clear, turquoise lakes.
Tickets and tours
Things to do
-
Photo: Garry Knight, CC BY-SA 2.0 Dance bachata and merengue
Join locals in a colmado or a live music night in the old town, ideally on a weekend.
-
Photo: -wuppertaler, CC BY 4.0 Walk the Malecón
The seafront avenue is where the city comes out to stroll, snack and watch the sunset.
-
Photo: Julio Pérez, CC BY-SA 4.0 Eat la bandera
The national lunch of rice, beans and stewed meat, served in simple comedores.
Where to stay
Ciudad Colonial
Boutique hotels in restored colonial houses, walkable to everything.
Hotels in Ciudad ColonialGazcue
A quiet, leafy residential area between the old town and the modern city.
Hotels in GazcuePiantini and Naco
Modern business district with high-rise hotels, malls and restaurants.
Hotels in Piantini and Naco
Getting around
Walk the old town, then use ride-hailing apps or taxis; the Metro also serves parts of the city.
The airport is about 30 km east of the city; a taxi takes 30 to 40 minutes.
When to go
December to April is dry and slightly cooler. Summer is hot, the hurricane season runs from June to November, and February brings carnival parades.
Plan your trip to Santo Domingo
Guide last checked October 2026. Opening times and prices change, so check before you go.