Santo Domingo, originally Santo Domingo de Guzmán, is the capital of the Dominican Republic.
It is located on the Caribbean Sea, at the mouth of the Ozama River, on the southern coast of Spain, 155 kilometers southeast of Santiago.
The fact that Santo Domingo is bathed by the waters of the Ozama River (where the country’s busiest port is located), which is approximately 150 kilometers long, is of great importance for the economic development of the city and the boom in trade during the viceregal era.
It is the largest cultural, financial, political, commercial and industrial center of the Dominican Republic, attracting many international companies and franchises thanks to its geographic location and economic stability.
It also has the main port of the country “The Port of Santo Domingo” located at the mouth of the Ozama River.
There we find the first cathedral and the first castle of America “El Alcázar de Colón or Palacio Virreinal de Don Diego Colón” located in the Colonial City declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
All of this means that every year Santo Domingo, especially its Historic Center, receives a large number of international visitors.
Weather in Santo Domingo
Santo Domingo has a monsoon climate, rarely experiencing the sweltering heat and humidity of a tropical climate, although due to global warming this has been changing.
Cool temperatures are perceived between the months of November and March, maximum temperatures do not usually rise above 25 degrees and the minimum due to the proximity of the mountains and cold fronts arriving from the north, down to 16 degrees and -18 degrees.
The coolest months are December and January, and the warmest months are July and August.
With respect to rainfall, it has an annual rainfall of 1,445 mm per year, with January to April being the driest months.
What to do in Santo Domingo
Santo Domingo, an unforgettable destination, is the perfect place to relax on one of the wonderful tropical beaches of Boca Chica, visit one of the oldest churches in the Americas in the colonial area, or enjoy shopping for luxury clothing.
It is also the perfect place where one can dance, enjoy the best cocktails and savor the delicious Dominican food in the local restaurants.
Among the main things to do and visit in Santo Domingo we highlight:
- Explore some of its parks, among them “Los Tres Ojos” National Park.
- Visit “El Faro de Colón”.
- Tour the historic center starting at the “Puerta del Conde” and walk the entire street.
- Visiting the Catedral Primada de América
- Strolling along Calle de las Damas
- Enter the Ozama Fortress
- Pantheon of the Homeland
- Museum of the Royal Houses
- Plaza España
- San Francisco Monastery
- Church of Our Lady of Mercy
- Route through the streets of the historic center “Calle del Padre Billini”.
- Stroll along the Malecon of Santo Domingo
- Relaxing in the National Botanical Garden
LOS TRES OJOS” NATIONAL PARK
One of the natural wonders to visit in Santo Domingo is Los Tres Ojos National Park, a complex of subway limestone caves with 3 beautiful turquoise blue freshwater lakes used by the Tainos as a refuge or to practice rituals.
COLUMBUS LIGHTHOUSE
The Columbus Lighthouse was built to commemorate the 500th anniversary of the New World.
It was said that the remains of Christopher Columbus were inside, although it was later proven that they are in the Cathedral of Seville.
On special days, this magnificent building in the shape of a cross, 800 meters long and 37 meters high, lights a beam of light visible from more than 60 kilometers away.
COUNT’S DOOR
The Puerta del Conde is the main entrance to the old fortified city of Santo Domingo, which also gives access to the Independence Park and where the Altar to the Homeland is located, a white marble mausoleum that holds the remains of the founding fathers of the Republic.
EL CONDE STREET
El Conde Street, which runs through the entire colonial zone, was one of the first streets built by Europeans in America more than 500 years ago.
It is a commercial artery that starts at the Puerta del Conde until it reaches the Parque de Colón and ends at the Ozama River.
COLON PARK
Parque Colón, or the old Plaza Mayor, is one of the liveliest places in Santo Domingo, located in the historic center.
In this 1506 square full of trees and presided over by the Catedral Primada de América, we find the statue of Christopher Columbus pointing his finger to the north.
PRIMATE CATHEDRAL OF AMERICA
The Catedral Primada de América, dedicated to Santa María de la Encarnación, is the most important religious building to visit in Santo Domingo.
It was ordered to be built in 1504 by Pope Julius II and its construction was not completed until 1546.
In this gothic style church you can admire several jewels such as: altarpieces, paintings, table of the Virgin of Altagracia, tombstone of Simón Bolívar, monument where the remains of Christopher Columbus are kept…
STREET OF THE LADIES
This street owes its name to the walks taken by the ladies of the viceroy María de Toledo, wife of Diego Colón.
In this street are some of the most important colonial buildings: Museo de las Casas Reales, Casa de Nicolás de Ovando, Iglesia de los Jesuitas, Fortaleza de Ozama, etc.
OZAMA FORTRESS
The Ozama Fortress was built by European settlers in the New World between 1502 and 1508.
Inside we can observe different rooms, go through tunnels that lead to the dungeons, climb to a terrace by a spiral staircase overlooking the city and the Caribbean coast.
PANTHEON OF THE HOMELAND
Built between 1714 and 1755, it was used until 1767 as a church for the Jesuits.
After various uses as a theater, tobacco warehouse, government office it became the National Pantheon with a flame lit every day of the year and a tomb dedicated to the unknown soldier.
MUSEUM OF THE ROYAL HOUSES
It was the residence of Governors and General Captains and it houses original objects from the time of the Spanish discovery and colonization, maritime maps of Christopher Columbus, carriages, etc.
PLAZA ESPAÑA
The Plaza España or Plaza de la Hispanidad is presided over by the historic Alcázar de Colón, the first fortified palace in the Mudejar Gothic style, which was the home of Diego Colón, Christopher Columbus’ first-born son.
MONASTERY OF SAN FRANCISCO
It was the first monastery in the New World which suffered numerous destructions by the French and Haitians, until its collapse with the passage of cyclone San Zeno in 1930.
OUR LADY OF MERCY
Built between 1549 and 1616 by the Spanish colonists for the implantation of the Catholic faith.
Inside this church is the colonial image of the Virgen de las Mercedes, patron saint of the Dominican Republic.
FATHER BILLINI STREET
Street where a large number of churches and colonial houses are concentrated.
MALECÓN DE SANTO DOMINGO
The Malecon of Santo Domingo with 14 kilometers parallel to the coast allows you to stroll and enjoy the views of the Caribbean Sea.
This promenade in addition to discos, bars, restaurants, has several points of interest such as: the Fort of San Gil, Monument to Fray Antonio de Montesinos.
NATIONAL BOTANICAL GARDEN
To disconnect from the hustle and bustle of the city, we recommend a relaxing stroll through the National Botanical Garden.
It has an area of more than 2 million square meters, with about 70,000 species.
Lodging in Santo Domingo
In Santo Domingo we find a wide variety of accommodation types, with their advantages and disadvantages, which can be adapted to different needs and budgets.
Among the most common are:
- Hotels: With a wide variety of services and amenities, from simple rooms to impressive luxury suites.
- Hostels: A more economical and social option where one can opt for shared or private rooms.
- Guesthouse: Comfortable, home-like accommodations that are usually run by a family and offer a more personalized experience than a hotel.
- Vacation homes: More personal and spacious accommodations ideal for families or those traveling in groups.
- Hostels: Shared rooms with bunk beds and facilities such as kitchen, living room, bathroom. It is an excellent option for young travelers looking for an economical trip away from luxuries and comforts.
- Bed and Breakfasts: Private rooms in family homes or small hotels where breakfast is usually included in the room rate.
- Camping: Ideal for those looking to enjoy nature on a limited budget.
Gastronomy of Santo Domingo
Gastronomy is a very important point when it comes to tourism. The traditional food and typical dish of Santo Domingo is La Bandera Dominicana, a national dish composed of white rice, chicken or beef and beans along with tostones, salad or avocado.
Among other recommended typical dishes we find:
- Sancocho: cooked with different types of meat, vegetables and tubers.
- Mofongo: Fried and mashed green plantain with garlic and salt.
- Mangú: Soft green plantain puree
- Bollitos de yucca: Typical appetizer of the country made of yucca and stuffed with soft cheese.
- Pastel en hoja: it has plantain, meat seasoned with Dominican spices, and all wrapped in a plantain leaf so that it can be cooked.
- Habichuelas con dulce: They are eaten as a dessert and are prepared especially during Lent and Easter.
In the great majority of night buffets, hotels, restaurants you can find and taste any of these gastronomic dishes and others.
