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Santo Domingo is the oldest city in the New World. It is the capital of the Dominican Republic and is also the oldest European city in the Americas. This is where settlement all began, way back when. The colonial architecture and cobblestone streets date back to the 1600’s. They are a good example of where the new world and European cultures fused together in such an interesting way. Santo Domingo has the greatest variety of restaurants and shops in all of the Caribbean. Here is where the crystal blue waters of the Caribbean ocean meet the warm, friendly culture of the Dominican Republic.

Santo Domingo Pictures

Things to do in Santo Domingo

Christopher Columbus walked the streets of the Colonial Zone. There are many examples of 15th and 16th century architecture here. The Ozama Fort, the Alcazar de Colon, and the Cathedral were all built here in Columbus’s time and still stand. In Eastern Santo Domingo, also called Santo Domingo Oriental, is where you will find the Tres Ojos, or Three Eye,; a series of open-roof caverns and underground lakes. Parque Mirador Sur is a lovely park with a great view of the coast from high above. This city is rich in culture and has dozens of great museums, plus loads of history and art to see and admire.

Nightlife in Santo Domingo

Dance the meringue, salsa, and bachata until the early morning in discos and night clubs. This is the life in Santo Domingo. The parties start late at night and go early into the next morning. On weekends, there isn’t a bar or club that isn’t full. Gambling at casinos is another fun activity to do at night. The legal gambling age as well as drinking age is 18. Although the drinking age is not so strict in certain places, keep in mind that on weeknights there is a midnight ban on alcohol, and the clubs close at 12:00am. So plan accordingly when making plans for the night.

Dining in Santo Domingo

Dining out in Santo Domingo can be pretty pricey. Mid to high end restaurants can easily set you back $30 – $50 USD. However if you’re a college student on a budget, you can always check out one of the cafeterias (comedor). They typically offer a “Plato del Día” or predetermined meal of the day (usually rice, beans, salad and some sort of meat, and a drink) for around $3 – $5 USD. Many locals eat here as well so it’s a nice opportunity to get in touch with the local culture. There are also plenty of sandwich shops and Caribbean food stands along the beach.

Shopping in Santo Domingo

Ambar and Larimar, the traditional stones of the DR are sold all over Santo Domingo, mostly in the Colonial Zone. Bartering comes with the territory, so most shop owners are prepared and willing to negotiate prices. There is plenty of great Haitian art for sale all over to island. Many street merchants can be found selling the Haitian prints. El Condo, the main shopping street in the Colonial Zone has everything from beads and jewelry to paintings and still more local crafts.

Santo Domingo travel tips

• There is a ferry that runs to and from Mayaguez, Puerto Rico twice per week. The cost is $250 round trip.
• Santo Domingo recently split into 5 independent municipalities: Distrito Nacional, Santo Domingo Este, Santo Domingo Oeste, Santo Domingo Norte, and Boca Chica.
• Make sure you’ve always got a buddy with you when you go out at night.