On this tour you can take the opportunity to buy some souvenirs in the stores in the historic center of Santo Domingo. Colonial zone is a perfect place for this.
* The times indicated above may vary
Santo Domingo is the oldest continuously inhabited European-founded city in the Americas and a must-see destination for tourists visiting the Dominican Republic. Every day it receives thousands of visits from tourists, who stay in its all-inclusive hotels, take tours of its streets and go on hundreds of excursions. It is located just under 200 kilometers from Punta Cana airport and 125 km from La Romana.
Originally called Santo Domingo de Guzman, the city was founded in 1496, when Bartholomew Columbus moved the Spanish settlers from what is now Luperon in search of a place with better conditions.
From there, the expansion of Spain was organized, founding courts and administration offices at the beginning of the 16th century. In 1989, Santo Domingo was kidnapped by pirates, who even took the church bells when they received the ransom they demanded.
In 1795 Santo Domingo came under French rule, which had taken over half of the island of Hispaniola and was advancing until it was completely occupied. But the African slaves brought by the French rebelled and expelled them, capturing Santo Domingo. The Dominicans managed to defeat the Haitians and in 1844 the Dominican Republic became independent, with Santo Domingo as its capital.
In the 20th century, the dictator Rafael Trujillo changed the name of the capital to "Trujillo City", until 1961, when it regained its name again, this time without the previous "de Guzmán".
Today, Santo Domingo is a major international tourist destination, and visitors express their opinion that history is breathed in every corner.
As we have already mentioned, the colonial area of Santo Domingo is the main historical and cultural site of the Dominican Republic.
Nearby is the Conde Street, a pedestrian promenade where there is a wide variety of stores where you can buy souvenirs for your return to Punta Cana. We always recommend our clients to bring cash for these purchases.
This tour, although very urban, also includes nature. In the Tres Ojos National Park you will be able to feel what those first discoverers like Christopher Columbus or his brother Bartholomew Columbus felt when they arrived to port and discovered the nature of Hispaniola. In its interior, three lakes of turquoise waters welcome us in a place that was a settlement of the Taino people.
From here the road will take us directly to the bustle and life of Santo Domingo, where we will begin our visit to the colonial area. The first building that will call your attention will be the cathedral of Santa María la Menor, symbol of the first steps taken by the Catholic Church on the island. From there we can go on to see the Columbus lighthouse or the Museum of Modern Art, but the cultural options are countless among its streets.
The important thing is the desire to know the capital of the Dominican Republic, but we also recommend you to bring the following:
Yes. You can cancel the tour for free 24 hours in advance. From that date, we will not accept any type of cancellation, since the guided tours will be prepared to be carried out in groups with your presence. It is our way of guaranteeing excellent quality in all the experiences and activities that we will carry out in Santo Domingo.
wdt_ID | Hotel | Zone |
---|---|---|
1 | AC Hotel By Marriott Punta Cana | Bávaro |
2 | Adult Club At Lopesan | Bávaro |
3 | Ankora | Punta Cana / Cap Cana |
4 | Aqua Marina Luxury | Punta Cana / Cap Cana |
5 | Aventura Deluxe Beach Club And Spa | Bávaro |
Hotel | Zone |