Santo Domingo
People wander the cobblestone streets, sometimes searching for shade, sometimes for coconut ice cream, usually for both. In the Colonial Zone, a man named Oscar once tried to sell me a painting of a cat on a bicycle; he claimed it brought luck, though I suspect the cat disagreed. The city hums with bachata, engine noise, and the sound of deals struck over tiny cups of coffee. You might find yourself in a centuries-old fortress, then next in a modern mall, and then, inexplicably, on the back of a motorcycle taxi heading the wrong way down a one-way street. Most travelers look for the 'best hotel in Santo Domingo,' but my cousin swears the best place to sleep is the hammock at his aunt’s house, two blocks from the Malecón, as long as you don't mind the rooster alarm clock. Don't ask about the traffic. Just don't.
Local weather in Dominican Republic
SPRING
warm & sunny
SUMMER
warm & sunny
AUTUMN
warm & sunny
WINTER
mild & temperate
Top destinations in Dominican Republic
Las Galeras, Samaná
Los Conucos
Sosúa
Accommodations in Santo Domingo
Discover the best accommodations for Santo Domingo and start planning your holiday.
Popular things to do or visit in Santo Domingo
Start with the Zona Colonial, where explorers from Spain once debated the best route to India. According to local lore, someone’s uncle once found a gold coin under a bench in Parque Colón, but it turned out to be a bottlecap. The cathedral stands as the oldest in the Americas; people sometimes trip on the uneven stones, but nobody minds, and if you drop your ice cream, a pigeon will help with cleanup.
Along the Malecón, the sea air mixes with the smell of fried plantains, and on weekends, families gather for music and laughter. If you walk far enough, you’ll notice the statues seem to multiply, each one with a story, some involving pirates, some involving politicians, none involving punctuality. For those seeking the best hotel in Santo Domingo, options range from glitzy high-rises to buildings with more history than plumbing, so choose wisely or just flip a coin and hope for air conditioning. You can visit museums, or just talk to someone selling fruit—both will teach you something, though only one will offer you a mango. And if you get lost, just ask for directions and prepare for a five-minute story about someone's cousin. Navigating the city is an adventure, and even if you take a wrong turn, you might discover the best empanada stand in town, or at least a decent one. Or two.
Other cities around Dominican Republic
These popular destinations have a lot to offer for you next holiday or city break.
