Ciudad Colonial (Zona Colonial) Tours and Tickets

There are plenty of ways to experience the Ciudad Colonia (Zona Colonial). Looking at ratings and reviews previously given by customers, these are the best tours available right now:

• Full-Day Santo Domingo City Tour from Punta Cana
• Santo Domingo Best Kept Secrets
• Santo Domingo Small Group Walking Tour, Specialty Coffee and Beer
• Historical Santo Domingo Day Trip from Punta Cana
• Day Trip to Santo Domingo from Punta Cana

While it’s free to visit the Ciudad Colonial on your own, a number of affordable sightseeing tours include the historic center of Santo Domingo. A sightseeing tour on a trolley starts around US$25, walking tours are typically about US$30, while you can expect to pay around US$60 for day tours from Punta Cana.

Ciudad Colonial is located on the western bank of the Ozama River, in the heart of Santo Domingo. Several public buses stop near the western edge of the area at Parque Independencia. Taxis and guided tours are other travel options, including from cities like Punta Cana.

Must-see attractions in Ciudad Colonial include the Alcázar de Colón, the palace once home to Christopher Columbus’s son Diego; Plaza de España, a public square lined with restaurants; the Cathedral of Santa María la Menor, the first cathedral in the Americas; Calle de Damas, the oldest street in the Americas; Fortaleza Ozama, a UNESCO World Heritage Site; the Museo de las Casas Reales, a museum showcasing the Dominican Republic’s rich history; and Parque Colon, where you’ll find a statue of Christopher Columbus.

Ciudad Colonial is best explored on foot. While you can explore the area on your own, joining a guided tour can provide insights and historical context. Options include walking tours, biking tours, tours by sightseeing trolley, tours that just focus on Ciudad Colonial, and tours that visit other Santo Domingo attractions.

The best time to visit Ciudad Colonial is during the dry months—November to March—though expect the streets of the area to be crowded during the peak season of December and January. Visit in February for Carnaval Dominicano, Easter for the Easter Semana Santa festivities and parade, and November for Colonial Fest.