How to Spend the Day in Santo Domingo

Picture this: a seaside city with a little bit of everything–fantastic shopping, deep historical roots, gorgeous Caribbean views and a vibrant cultural scene. You can find all of this and MORE in the capital of the Dominican Republic, Santo Domingo! We’re giving you the ultimate day-to-night itinerary so that you can enjoy all of Santo Domingo's awesomeness in one day!

Mornings Are for Sight-Seeing

Photo by @jacquigiff

Did you know that Santo Domingo is the oldest city in the Americas? In 1990, UNESCO honored the city as a World Heritage Site for its pristine colonial roots dating back to the 1500s! There’s a lot to see in this walled city, so it’s best to get an early start to the day. Grab a coffee from Mamey Librería Café for some local brews before hitting the must-see sights.

The Colonial Zone is home to the city’s many “firsts” and showcases stunning Renaissance and Gothic Colonial architecture. Be sure to snap a photo in front of the Santa Maria La Menor Cathedral–it’s not only an architectural beauty, but it also served as the Catholic Church’s headquarters in the New World.

Lunch at El Malecón

After you cruise around the Colonial Zone for a few hours, you’ll probably have worked up an appetite. For some authentic Dominican bites, you have to check out El Malecón. This boardwalk runs along the Caribbean coast and winds around most of the city. Grab a table at Adrian Tropical, a local hot spot right on the water, and enjoy fresh flavors and pristine ocean views. There are also tons of adorable boutiques along El Malecón, so you can stroll the boardwalk and burn off your lunch with our favorite form of cardio—shopping!

Dance the Night Away

Photo by @paul_t_zayas

You may need to take a quick power nap because you’re not going to want to miss out on Santo Domingo’s action-packed party scene. Reserve a table at Mesón de la Cava for dinner—it’s an epic cave restaurant tucked below the city, so you definitely won’t want to pass this place up. Then, you’ll want to cha-cha back to the Colonial Zone for some live music, cocktails and dancing.

You’ll surely be swooning over Santo Domingo after a full 24 hours, so don’t be surprised if you want to stay a little while longer. Check out our hottest hotel deals and book your extended vacay today!