Capital city of Dominic Republic, Santo Domingo, is one of the most important travel destinations in the country. In this article we will show you how and why to plan your trip here.
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Santo Domingo is served by two international airports, the main one being Aeropuerto Internacional de las Americas. Flights from the UK are long, but they are straight through although many people chose to break their flight in the USA.
Santo Domingo is also a port and there are ferries and connections from there to other Caribbean destinations. The Dominican Republic is a very developed area in the Caribbean and Santo Domingo is its administrative capital.
The colonial centre of the city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and has some amazing buildings including the cathedral, which is the oldest in the Americas.
What to Do in Santo Domingo
Walking around Santo Domingo can be a little challenging as the drivers have a very casual attitude to road safety and the pedestrian is way down their list of important things not to hit! However, there are some shopping malls which are traffic free as are sections of the Colonial Area.
Eating is a very varied opportunity, as there is practically every cuisine on the streets of Santo Domingo, from MacDonald’s right up to gourmet restaurants. If there could be said to be a local dish it is ‘pica pollo’ which is a fusion of Caribbean, Chinese and KFC, being a pile of fried rice, fried plantain and fried chicken. It is not very elegant to eat but it is tasty and keeps you full for ages.
The Caribbean is normally quite cheap when it comes to eating out but Santo Domingo comes in on the slightly more expensive side but if you stick to the comedors (cafes), pica pollo shops and fast food, it is not so pricey.
Nightlife in Santo Domingo
Night life is great although most places close at midnight so don’t expect to dance all night.
Sadly, this early closing is an attempt to try and cut the crime rate, which is high so it is important to take some precautions when out late or even in the daytime – not carrying too much money is an obvious thing to do and also to keep jewellery to a minimum.
Hotels can give help about how to behave on the street to avoid attracting notice – which is not to say that Santo Domingo is a scary place, not at all, but it is better to be safe than sorry.
Is Santo Domingo on your bucket list?
17 thoughts on “Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic”
I would love to get there Agness on this trip but don’t think we will have the time :) Will just have to add it to the bucket list for next time.
Same here, but I don’t think it’s gonna happen this year.
The Caribbean food in Santo Domingo is just amazing. You gotta try it Agness!
Is it? I have never tried Caribbean food in my life :). I bet it’s yummy though!
I must admit, it wasn’t on my bucket list before, but I’ll certainly consider it now.
Same here, can’t wait to go there!
I spent there my honeymoon, such an amazing place with lovely food. This post brought back so many great memories!
That must have been so romantic!!! :) I’m glad you had great memories :)
Agness and Cez, if you ever come to my city, please contact me. I would love to show you around and meet you in person!
Hi Anthony! Thanks for the invitation. We will, surely!
DEFINITELY on my bucket list
Happy to hear that!
Great article The Dominican Republic looks like a great place to visit. Although not somewhere I would of thought about initially but it looks great, and would definitely be a place to considered in the future.
Thanks Alex. It’s also on our bucket list :).
Santo Domingo looks like a great exotic place to get away from everything. But to be honest and frank, I had not heard of Santo Domingo before. So thanks for letting us know about this place. The views of Domingo City are stunning.
We’ve heard about this place many times, but never made it there. Looks like an awesome travel destination to us as well.
Nice post! But the number 1 reason to visit Santo Domingo is for the history in the Zona Colonial: nice churches, forts, and museums. And the great thing is that you’re often all alone, most travelers on the beach getting sunburnt.
Nice to see someone else writing a post on the DR, it’s a place that doesn’t get much coverage.
Frank (bbqboy)
PS. I own post on the Dominican Republic: https://bbqboy.net/why-i-love-the-dominican-republic/