Christopher Columbus tried to settle in the “New World” several times before getting it right. The first and second attempts, La Navidad (in Haiti) and La Isabela (near Puerto Plata), were plagued with fire and disease. It wasn’t until the third time, on an opposite coast of Hispaniola, that he and his men perfected the recipe. To this day, Santo Domingo is still a lively, thriving metropolis and acts as both the capital city of the Dominican Republic and the largest city in the Caribbean by population. But it’s also so much more: The sounds of merengue, bachata and salsa drifting from a Malecón nightclub or the smells of conch gratinée wafting from a romantic café in Zona Colonial. Due to its history, it’s also a city of superlatives: where you’ll find the first church (Catedral Primada de América), the first stronghold (Fortaleza Ozama) and the oldest street (Calle Las Damas) in the Americas. This is the real Santo Domingo.
Best Hotels in Santo Domingo
- #1InterContinental Real Santo Domingo
- #2JW Marriott Hotel Santo Domingo
- #3El Embajador, a Royal Hideaway Hotel
Best Things to Do in Santo Domingo
Santo Domingo Travel Tips
The best time to visit Santo Domingo is between November and March. That’s when this city experiences its best beach weather, even if there aren’t many great beaches to enjoy it on. April to July is also a pleasant time to visit, but you should avoid this area at all costs during the hurricane season, which runs from August to October. Whenever you visit, you’ll find the hotel rates are agreeable; even the best properties have rooms available for less than $150 a night.
What You Need to Know
- There’s plenty of top-notch shopping From amber and larimar (Dominican turquoise) jewelry, to hand-wrapped cigars, the DR as a whole is known for its high-quality souvenirs. You’ll find stands and shops all along the Malecón and within the Zona Colonial.
- The nightlife is excellent Even the hotel clubs are pretty lively in Santo Domingo. And you’ll also find an enviable assortment of bars, dance clubs and casinos along the Malecón.
- Béisbol is the sport of choiceSeveral major league baseball players got their “swinging” start in this city: The Pittsburgh Pirates’ Pedro Alvarez, the Colorado Rockies’ Cristhian Adames and the Boston Red Sox’s David Ortiz, to name a few. Go root for tomorrow’s MLB pros at the Estadio Quisqueya.
How to Save Money in Santo Domingo
- Learn how to haggle Store prices are set, but the price of just about everything from a street vendor is negotiable. Learn to say, “Gracias no, pero es demasiado caro,” (No thanks, but too expensive) and see how much lower they’re willing to go.
- Skip the colonial tour There will be lots of young men milling around the Zona Colonial offering to show you around. Invest in a good city map and explore (for free) on your own.
- Visit on a cruise ship You could spend a couple days exploring Santo Domingo, or you could hit the highlights in a six-hour port of call and save on airfare and hotel rates.
Culture & Customs
Although many businesses do accept U.S. dollars in Santo Domingo, the national currency (which is also the one most commonly used) is the Dominican peso. The exchange rate fluctuates from time to time, but $1 USD typically equals roughly RD$45.41. To avoid high exchange rates at hotels and airport kiosks, consider exchanging some money through your bank before leaving the U.S.