Things to Do in Santo Domingo

by ChristinaNest
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This interesting museum is right next to the Alcazar. In this courtyard wedding ceremonies can be performed and one was in preparation when we visited. We found it quite a beautiful and romantic place and wouldn't mind to renew our wows there some day. Just out of curiousity we asked one of the curators how much a wedding ceremony there costs but she didn't know. Well, I guess it's very expensive.


	Museo de las Casas Reales	Tip Rating:

By alfredop

on February 2, 2003

by alfredop
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Museo de las Casas Reales

Located right beside the Alcazar de Colon and the main historical square. This is a nice and small museum dedicated to the history of the Spanish discovery of America and Dominican Republic. Besides being a museum, they provide activities focused for kids, such as: - Painting classes. - Art movies club. - Social activities and service. A nice option for your kids while you're at work, in case you travel with them.

Address: Calle Mercedes Esquina Las Damas, Ciudad Colonial

Phone: 682-4202/688-1518

Other Contact: museodelacasar@codetel.net.do


	If you want to know the best...	Tip Rating:

Updated By Patricialuv

on April 12, 2003

by Patricialuv
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En el mar, la vida es mas
sabrosa!

If you want to know the best time to visit Santo Domingo, there isn't. That's because anytime is a great time!!! In the summer time, although it is quite hot and humid at times, there are good deals on hotels and beach resorts. Many parties every day, especially on Sundays, where you will see the whole city going to some beach and at dawn, all parked up in the malecon or on a busy avenue, either chatting,eating up a nice dinner, drinking or dancing. In the winter time, it gets a bit breezy, nothing to be worried about! You can still go to the beach in December. Airlline ticket prices and hotel prices go up at the end of December because of the demand. So if you would like to visit Santo Domingo during the month of December or January, make sure you reserve tickets on time. But anytime is a great time to go!!!!


	Old Town: Casa de Bastidas (House of Bastidas)	Tip Rating:

Updated By marielexoteria

on November 14, 2007

by marielexoteria, 2 more photos
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House of Bastidas

House of Bastidas was the residence of the Capt. Rodrigo de Bastidas, the Principal Royal Tax Collector and one of the many governors of Santo Domingo we've had throughout history. The House looks more like a warehouse than a house where people lived in and this is because it was both a storehouse and safe to keep the treasures until they could be sent to Spain and a residence. I don't remember much about being inside the house, but in the patio with roman arches when the sun was too hot for our teachers and they wanted to sit down in a bench surrounded by the shadow and cool breeze you get from all the plants. Today it houses art exhibitions and some concerts and celebrations. Practical info: open daily between 8am and 6pm.

Address: Calle Las Damas

Directions: North of Ozama Fortress


	Old Town: Parque Colón (Columbus' Park)	Tip Rating:

Updated By marielexoteria

on November 14, 2007

by marielexoteria, 1 more photos
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Columbus' Statue in the middle
of the park

Parque Colón is the beginning of all my school trips to the Old Town and where Calle El Conde begins (or ends, depending on which direction you're walking to). It's a nice place where one can sit down by or under the big trees and get away from the hot sun and feed the doves :) Observe that no one is allowed to touch or try to take one of those doves home or the regulars will chase you until you give up hehe. Before, when I was growing up, you could sit here pretty much undisturbed but since this is a big (if not the biggest) tourist zone you might be receiving undesired visitors in the form of beggars, taxi drivers offering their services, informal guides, street sellers, shoeshine boys...

Address: Zona Colonial


	El Faro	Tip Rating:

By el_ruso

on February 1, 2005

by el_ruso
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This inelegant building houses the tomb of Colon and a museum. The museum is of various foreign countries, such as South America, Japan, even Russia. They do supposedly light up a laser show on special occasions, but it is very expensive and they do it only on special occasions.


	Calle Del Conde	Tip Rating:

Updated By Belsaita

on March 7, 2006

by Belsaita
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Calle del Conde

A pedestrian street, close to the Zona Colonial. Very well known shopping place; with lots of shops, restaurants, cafes, etc. Even in its origins the area was not meant for tourists but for the locals, I'm afraid it's becoming more and more a tourist trap (I doubted on putting this tip on the "tourist traps" category). In any case, you may have some chances of getting some good deals, and it's a pleasant walk. Anyway, I would recommend you to walk a little further away to see the "really authentic" local streets.


	Columbus Square	Tip Rating:

Updated By grandmaR

on April 29, 2007

by grandmaR, 4 more photos
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Columbus is BIG in Santo Domingo. The most famous plaza in the Zona Colonial is a square named in his honor on the north side of the Catedral de Santa Maria la Menor (Plaza de Colón), which has a large bronze statue honoring the discoverer, made in 1882 by a French sculptor. The square surrounded by historical colonial and Victorian-style buildings. The town hall, dating from the 19th century, faces the west side of the plaza and on the north end, is the Amber Museum. There is also a tourist office, post office, tobacco emporium, and an assortment of restaurants and shops. The pedestrian-only Calle El Conde connects the Parque Colon from the east with the Parque Independencia to the west. This is an enjoyable mile-long stroll, as there is no traffic down this street.

Directions: Zona Colonial - at the end of Calle El Conde


	Museo del Hombre Dominicano	Tip Rating:

By alfredop

on May 14, 2006

by alfredop
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Museo del Hombre Dominicano

A great value at 15 pesos, although like all Dominican musuems, air conditioning is non-existent. This musuem traces the history of the Dominicans from the Indians Columbus encountered to the Africans the Spanish bought for slaves and eventually intermarried. Great exhibit on voodoo and Carnival. If you don't speak Spanish, consider paying the extra 30 pesos for a guide who speaks English.


	Columbus Lighthouse	Tip Rating:

By alfredop

on May 14, 2006

by alfredop
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Another site not to be missed is the Faro a Colón (Columbus Lighthouse) an impressive structure in the shape of a cross which was constructed to mark the 500th anniversary of Christopher Columbus' arrival in the Americas in 1492. It houses his remains in an impressive tomb and features numerous exhibits. After exploring it by day, it is exciting to view the Lighthouse at night from the Colonial City, when the powerful lights are reflected into the sky in the shape of a cross.The lighthouse is located in the Mirador del Este Park.