Things to do in  Santo Domingo

One of Santo Domingo’s most unique natural attractions, Los Tres Ojos National Park is an open-air limestone cave that’s home to three oval-shaped lakes: hence its name, The Three Eyes. A visit to Los Tres Ojos feels like stepping into another world, thanks to the impressive network of stalagmites and stalactites surrounding the lakes. History buffs should also keep their eyes peeled for the pottery shards and petroglyphs scattered around the natural site.

Located in the San Souci district of eastern Santo Domingo, the Columbus Lighthouse (Faro a Colón) is a massive concrete memorial to the famous explorer. Built in the shape of a cross and capable of projecting a bright cross-shaped beam that can be seen for miles, it also houses a mausoleum and museum.

The lively streets of Santo Domingo’s Zona Colonial—one of the city’s most historic neighborhoods—are ripe with the sights, smells, and sounds of Latin America. This tiny enclave is filled with traditional European-style architecture, well-kept parks, cobblestone streets, and artistic nods to adventurers past.

Overlooking the Plaza de España and the Ozama River, the Alcázar de Colón (Columbus Palace) was built in the early 1500s as the governor’s residence for Diego Columbus, Christopher’s son. Today, it’s one of the Colonial Zone’s most popular museums, and houses period furniture, artworks, and artifacts from the 16th century.

Calle Las Damas is one of the most picturesque destinations in Santo Domingo’s historic neighborhood, known as the Colonial Zone. The cobblestone street—said to be the first ever in the New World—is lined with classic Spanish-style houses and beautiful European churches that are a nod to the city’s ancient past. It’s named for the ladies—including local dignitaries—who took evening strolls along the street each night.

Considered one of the most beautiful buildings in the Dominican Republic, the National Palace was designed in the Neoclassical style. Built in the 1940s under the brutal reign of dictator Rafael Trujillo, the ornate and expansive building houses the offices of the President and Vice President and is a functioning seat of government.

Located in the heart of Santo Domingo’s Colonial Zone, near the Cathedral of Santa Maria la Menor (Catedral Primada de América), Columbus Park (Parque Colón) is one of the most popular squares in the city. It’s best known for its large central statue of Christopher Columbus.

Discover the Dominican Republic’s deep roots at the Museum of the Royal Houses (Museo de las Casas Reales) in Santo Domingo. These two 16th-century structures—the South and North buildings—were designed to house the Spanish-appointed governor’s royal court, offices for the justice tribunal and treasury, and living quarters for military captains.

Built in the early 16th century, the Cathedral of Santa Maria la Menor (Catedral Primada de América) is the oldest Catholic cathedral in the New World. Located in the Colonial Zone, the cathedral is one of Santo Domingo’s most famous religious sites, and contains a large collection of woodcarving and religious artifacts.

Located in the Colonial Zone of Santo Domingo, this 16th-century Spanish fortress is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. History buffs can explore Ozama Fort (Fortaleza Ozama)—which is the oldest European-style military building in the Americas—to learn about how the old-school castle once guarded the entrance to the Dominican Republic’s capital city.

Dominican amber is considered to be some of the finest and clearest in the world. Housed in a Victorian-era mansion that once belonged to a wealthy local family, Puerto Plata’s Amber Museum (Museo Del Ámbar) has an extensive collection of the semi-precious gemstone.

Centrally located within Santo Domingo’s Colonial Zone, the Plaza de España (also known as the Plaza de la Hispanidad) is a popular gathering spot for locals and visitors alike. The large, open square is surrounded by important landmarks and museums, including the Alcázar de Colón (Columbus Alcazar), plus historic buildings housing restaurants and cafés.

With its powder-soft white sands and warm waters, Boca Chica is a classic beach resort and a popular escape from the Dominican capital. It’s fittingly referred to as the “largest swimming pool in the Dominican Republic” as the coral reefs just offshore keep the warm water here calm.

Spanning 494 acres (200 hectares), the Dr. Rafael María Moscoso Botanic Garden—or National Botanical Garden—is the largest botanical garden in the Caribbean. Named after the first Dominican botanist to catalog the island’s flora, the garden is home to nearly 70,000 different species of plants and flowers.

Opened in 1956, Santo Domingo’s Palace of Fine Arts (Palacio de Bellas Artes) is one of the Dominican Republic’s premier cultural institutions. The large neoclassical structure is home to the National Gallery of Fine Arts, three theaters, and several art schools, making it a must-see for any culture vulture in the capital.