Santo Domingo Guidebook
Sightseeing
Ciudad Colonial
One of the most popular museums in the Colonial City. Completed around 1512, this Gothic and Renaissance style palace was the home of Diego Columbus, son of Christopher Columbus, and his wife María de Toledo, niece of King Ferdinand of Spain.
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Alcázar de Colón
2 C. La AtarazanaOne of the most popular museums in the Colonial City. Completed around 1512, this Gothic and Renaissance style palace was the home of Diego Columbus, son of Christopher Columbus, and his wife María de Toledo, niece of King Ferdinand of Spain.
One of the most romantic esplanades in the Colonial City sits at the end of Calle Las Damas. The wide open Plaza de España is flanked by the Alcázar de Colón palace on one end, and on the other, a series of outdoor bistro terraces where diners enjoy a royal view over the ancient city. Major concerts, cultural shows, and festivals take place on this plaza. At sunset, it’s the perfect place for a romantic dinner with a view, or for a family stroll or bike run with the kids. A statue of Nicolás de Ovando, former governor of Santo Domingo, stands tall in the center of the plaza.
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Plaza de la Hispanidad o España
2 C. La AtarazanaOne of the most romantic esplanades in the Colonial City sits at the end of Calle Las Damas. The wide open Plaza de España is flanked by the Alcázar de Colón palace on one end, and on the other, a series of outdoor bistro terraces where diners enjoy a royal view over the ancient city. Major concerts, cultural shows, and festivals take place on this plaza. At sunset, it’s the perfect place for a romantic dinner with a view, or for a family stroll or bike run with the kids. A statue of Nicolás de Ovando, former governor of Santo Domingo, stands tall in the center of the plaza.
Built by the Spanish in the early 16th century, is the first permanent military structure in the Americas, marking the beginning of Spanish colonization. Christopher Columbus was once held captive as a prisoner.
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Fortaleza Ozama
1 C. Las DamasBuilt by the Spanish in the early 16th century, is the first permanent military structure in the Americas, marking the beginning of Spanish colonization. Christopher Columbus was once held captive as a prisoner.
Part of the old entrance wall to the Colonial City, this arched gate is where one of the DR’s Founding Fathers, Francisco del Rosario Sánchez, first raised the Dominican flag, proclaiming the nation’s independence on February 27, 1844.
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Puerta del Conde
Calle Palo HincadoPart of the old entrance wall to the Colonial City, this arched gate is where one of the DR’s Founding Fathers, Francisco del Rosario Sánchez, first raised the Dominican flag, proclaiming the nation’s independence on February 27, 1844.
Built between 1510 and 1540, the first cathedral of the Americas continues to stand tall in all of its glory over the heart of the Colonial City. The remains of Christopher Columbus were found here in the 19th century.
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Catedral Primada de las Americas
Calle Isabel La CatólicaBuilt between 1510 and 1540, the first cathedral of the Americas continues to stand tall in all of its glory over the heart of the Colonial City. The remains of Christopher Columbus were found here in the 19th century.
Signature Chinese gates mark the start and end of Santo Domingo’s Barrio Chino. Sculptures dot the streets, from a Chinese monk to life-size lions, and the city’s most authentic Chinese restaurants are found here.
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China town
Avenida Juan Pablo DuarteSignature Chinese gates mark the start and end of Santo Domingo’s Barrio Chino. Sculptures dot the streets, from a Chinese monk to life-size lions, and the city’s most authentic Chinese restaurants are found here.
Facing the oldest cathedral in the Americas, this lively, shaded square is surrounded with colonial, republican, and modern architecture, and bustles with merengue musicians and sidewalk cafés, for plenty of people watching.
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Columbus Plaza
Facing the oldest cathedral in the Americas, this lively, shaded square is surrounded with colonial, republican, and modern architecture, and bustles with merengue musicians and sidewalk cafés, for plenty of people watching.
Arts & Culture
Launched in the 1970s, this verdant, gated complex houses a handful of the city’s key museums, including the Museo del Hombre Dominicano, the Museum of Modern Art, the Museum of Natural History, the National Library, and the Eduardo Brito National Theater.
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Plaza de la Cultura Juan Pablo Duarte
49 Av. Pedro Henríquez UreñaLaunched in the 1970s, this verdant, gated complex houses a handful of the city’s key museums, including the Museo del Hombre Dominicano, the Museum of Modern Art, the Museum of Natural History, the National Library, and the Eduardo Brito National Theater.
Inaugurated in 2017, the DR’s first wax museum showcases the life and times of one of the country’s most beloved independence heroes: Juan Pablo Duarte. Life-size wax figures behind glass displays depict his life trajectory, from birth to education overseas, including his fight for the nation’s independence from Haiti. On the second floor is the former home of the Duarte family, with period furniture, paintings, and wax figures of his family members. Step into the courtyard, where you will find the walls covered with plaques of famous Duarte quotes, and a large-sized Dominican Republic coat of arms.
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Wax Museum Juan Pablo Duarte
304 C. Isabel La CatólicaInaugurated in 2017, the DR’s first wax museum showcases the life and times of one of the country’s most beloved independence heroes: Juan Pablo Duarte. Life-size wax figures behind glass displays depict his life trajectory, from birth to education overseas, including his fight for the nation’s independence from Haiti. On the second floor is the former home of the Duarte family, with period furniture, paintings, and wax figures of his family members. Step into the courtyard, where you will find the walls covered with plaques of famous Duarte quotes, and a large-sized Dominican Republic coat of arms.
Another of Santo Domingo’s architectural masterpieces with its arches made of travertine marble, the Teatro Nacional Eduardo Brito has been operating since 1973 and is the country’s most prestigious arts facility. Surrounded with museums inside Plaza de la Cultura, and named after a famous Dominican opera singer, the theater hosts plays as well as musical performances—including operas and the National Symphony Orchestra—and major award events year round. Boasting three halls, the largest can seat up to 1,600 patrons.
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Teatro Nacional Eduardo Brito
35 Av. Máximo GómezAnother of Santo Domingo’s architectural masterpieces with its arches made of travertine marble, the Teatro Nacional Eduardo Brito has been operating since 1973 and is the country’s most prestigious arts facility. Surrounded with museums inside Plaza de la Cultura, and named after a famous Dominican opera singer, the theater hosts plays as well as musical performances—including operas and the National Symphony Orchestra—and major award events year round. Boasting three halls, the largest can seat up to 1,600 patrons.
Designed to entertain and educate children and their families, the Museo Infantil Trampolín is marked by a large, beautifully kept central courtyard adjacent to its entrance. Indoors, nine rooms showcase major educational themes ranging from the Planet Earth and ecology, to human beings, weather systems, and various aspects of Dominican culture. Kids love the Paleomundo room, filled with figures of dinosaurs and other period animals. There are monthly educational activities for children, from kitchen workshops to arts and crafts.
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Trampoline Children's Museum
Las DamasDesigned to entertain and educate children and their families, the Museo Infantil Trampolín is marked by a large, beautifully kept central courtyard adjacent to its entrance. Indoors, nine rooms showcase major educational themes ranging from the Planet Earth and ecology, to human beings, weather systems, and various aspects of Dominican culture. Kids love the Paleomundo room, filled with figures of dinosaurs and other period animals. There are monthly educational activities for children, from kitchen workshops to arts and crafts.
Set in one of the most beautifully restored 17th century colonial buildings, the Amber World Museum boasts a small but comprehensive display on this precious stone.
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Amber World Museum
452, esq C. Arzobispo MeriñoSet in one of the most beautifully restored 17th century colonial buildings, the Amber World Museum boasts a small but comprehensive display on this precious stone.
Alcázar de Colón
2 C. La AtarazanaEssentials
Super Fresh Market
49 Av. TiradentesSupermercado Nacional
Calle Octavio del PozoSupermercado Nacional
Calle Octavio del PozoFarmacia Los Hidalgos
253 Avenida 27 de FebreroDr. Abel González clinic
Calle B. PichardoHospiten Santo Domingo
s/n Av. Alma MaterDrinks & Nightlife
La Posta Bar
122 Avenida Gustavo Mejía RicartMix Bar
71-84 Av. Gustavo Mejía RicartSegaZona
54 C. El CondeEme by Marketcito
92 Av. Gustavo Mejía RicartLa Gloria Rooftop
Avenida TiradentesBarelo
84 C. Max Henriquez UreñaShopping
Cuesta Libros
Esq Av. Abraham LincolnÁgora Mall
Avenida John F. KennedyBlueMall Santo Domingo
95 Av. Winston ChurchillEntertainment & Activities
Operated by one of the country’s top cacao exporters, this part museum, part chocolate factory offers a comprehensive glimpse of the DR’s thriving cacao industry.
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Experiencia Kahkow
102 C. Las DamasOperated by one of the country’s top cacao exporters, this part museum, part chocolate factory offers a comprehensive glimpse of the DR’s thriving cacao industry.
Parks & Nature
An eight-kilometer park popular with athletes. Walk, jog, rollerblade, and bike along Caribbean Sea views. There are children’s playgrounds, an open-air gym, bicycle or rollerblade rentals, and an artificial lake for boat rides.
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Mirador Sur
11 Av. AnacaonaAn eight-kilometer park popular with athletes. Walk, jog, rollerblade, and bike along Caribbean Sea views. There are children’s playgrounds, an open-air gym, bicycle or rollerblade rentals, and an artificial lake for boat rides.
One of the prettiest parks within the city. Is a great place to wander and get in touch with nature. It is held in good conditions for people and families to enjoy exercising. There are pleasant green areas and roads for either walking, jogging or cycling. There is also a public gym available. They offer guided dancing sessions, early in the mornings and evenings; a lot of fun! The National Conservatory of Music is found here.
66 personas locales recomiendan
Parque Iberoamérica
Calle César Nicolás PensonOne of the prettiest parks within the city. Is a great place to wander and get in touch with nature. It is held in good conditions for people and families to enjoy exercising. There are pleasant green areas and roads for either walking, jogging or cycling. There is also a public gym available. They offer guided dancing sessions, early in the mornings and evenings; a lot of fun! The National Conservatory of Music is found here.