Santo Domingo Travelers Recommend

Santo Domingo is a city rich with colonial history and New World charm. The capital of Dominican Republic is not only the oldest and largest European city in the Americas, it’s also the most-populated city in the Caribbean. Settled by the Spanish in 1946, this tropical urban center has enough history, culture and cuisine to satisfy almost any traveler.

Day 1: Old World Zona Colonial

Spend a day getting lost in the history (and the streets) of Zona Colonial. Home to Calle de Las Dammas—the oldest paved road in the Americas, as well as a handful of historic churches, Spanish-style homes and quiet town squares—this old school neighborhood takes travelers on a trip through time. Travelers find the idyllic architecture and quieter vibe to be a welcome respite from the rest of this bustling city and agree that a day spent wandering Zona Colonial is a must for visitors to the capital city.

Day 2: Los Tres Ojos

Step outside the city’s manmade wonders and explore Los Tres Ojos, one of Santo Domingo’s most unique—and popular—attractions. This open-air limestone cave houses three beautiful lakes that are accessible by foot or by boat. The blue, green and yellow waters are rich with local wildlife and an impressive natural formation of stalactites and stalagmites are the perfect setting for a relaxing day spent in nature’s beauty.

Day 3: Architectural Highlights

Round out a stay in Santo Domingo with a visit to some of the city’s most iconic buildings. Start the day with a visit to Faro a Colon, a bold and imposing cross-shaped structure that serves as a tribute to one of the world’s most famous explorers. Though not a traditional coastal lighthouse, this well-known building projects a cross-shaped beam of light that can be seen from the shores of nearby Puerto Rico. Next explore the historic Museum of the Royal Houses, which was once home to Dominican Republic’s Spanish administrative offices. Finally, head to Cathedral of Santa Maria la Menor—one of the oldest churches in the Americas—for an up close look at classic Gothic and Baroque architecture that nods to the country’s European roots.  

Spanish explore Christopher Columbus discovered the island of Hispaniola (which the Dominican Republic shares with Haiti) on his first voyage in 1492, and Santo Domingo was founded by his brother Bartholemy in 1496. The largest city in the Caribbean and the oldest continuously inhabited location in the Americas, Santo Domingo has a modern feel mixed with some of the first outposts of the New World. Here are some top sites that speak to the city’s history.

Columbus Alcazar (Alcázar de Colón)

The entire Zona Colonial is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the Alcazar is one of the highlights. The building was completed in 1512 and was once the home of Diego Columbus (son of Christopher Columbus), who acted as Governor of Hispaniola, and his wife María de Toledo. The couple’s bedrooms, grand entertaining hall, and intricate inlaid floors are well preserved.

Columbus Lighthouse (Faro a Colon)

The exact location of Christopher Columbus’ remains are unknown. Some believe he is buried in a tomb in Seville Cathedral in Southern Spain, while others swear that the mausoleum here at the Columbus Lighthouse (Faro a Colon) is his final resting place. Whatever the case, this huge cross-shaped 10-story building, finished in the 1990s to mark 500 years since the 1492 discovery, is an atmospheric memorial to the great days of exploration.

Basilica Cathedral of Santa María la Menor (Catedral Primera de América)

A lasting reminder of the historically close relationship between the Catholic church and the Spanish state, the Basilica Cathedral of Santa María la Menor was built during the 1500s by a succession of architects. The building that stands today is a combination of Gothic, Romanesque, and baroque styles, and plays its own role in the history of Santo Domingo: The English explorer Francis Drake used the cathedral as his headquarters while briefly gaining possession of the city in the 1580s.