Location: Santo Domingo
Top Things to do in Santo Domingo
Countries
Top 10 Points of Interest & Landmarks in Santo Domingo, Santo Domingo Province
Santo Domingo, the capital of the Dominican Republic and a UNESCO world heritage site, is the oldest continuously inhabited European settlement in the Americas and one of the most populous cities in the Caribbean. The city is a mix of old world charm and modern Latin flair. Its medieval palaces and fortresses mix with nightlife and shopping to rival any modern city in the world. You'll find pristine beaches and hidden gems like a salsa/merengue club set inside a huge underground cave.
Restaurants in Santo Domingo
1. Palacio de Bellas Artes
2. Santo Domingo Skyline
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 18 reviews
Reviewed By 107losproceres
Santo Domingo is the true metropolis of the Caribbean. It has dozens of 30 plus story buildings challenging notions of quaint tropical settings. Santo Domingo continues to rise and surprise visitors and locals.
3. Parque Colon
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 915 reviews
One of Santo Domingo's main gathering places, this plaza has a bronze statue of Columbus at its center.
Reviewed By worldmaps - New York City, United States
Perfect to sit down and people-watch. Lots of activities at the park - performers, music, food, and a beautiful church.
4. Zona Colonial
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,086 reviews
Reviewed By globetrottingboys - San Francisco, United States
My life was so enriched by visiting this spot. I really thought Santo Domingo was just about Bachata but i was wrong this place is so rich in history is full of sixteenth century architecture, former colonial buildings now turned museums, and embassies. Make sure you visit all this spots located along this historic zone include Fortaleza Ozama, the first fortress in the Americas, and the National Pantheon, resting place of the Dominican Republic’s national heroes, La Calle De Las Damas and The first cathedral build in the new continent (cathedral of Santa María)
5. Agricultural and Japanese Immigration Memorial Monument
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 7 reviews
Reviewed By andrewmU2655XD
The Japanese monument is located in Parque De Patinaje Montesinos on Paseo Presidente Billini, The monument is to the right of the San Jose fort. It is a unique monument to the history of Japanese immigration to the DR. A stone to the left of the path leading to the sculpture, states the title of the monument. To the left of the monument is a plaque which lists the names of approximately 90 families. It also makes reference to the date of 26 July 1956, when the first batch of 249 Japanese families arrived in the DR. It also mentions the conditions which caused some families to leave the DR, and praises the sacrifice of the families who remained. The sculpture is of a family of four; husband, wife, son and baby. The man stands with a hoe in hand. All persons are clothed in traditional Japanese outfits. This monument was installed on 23 July 2012, to mark the 56th anniversary of the arrival of the immigrants. In 1954, advertisements were placed in Japanese newspapers encouraging families to immigrate to the Dominican Republic, which was described as a Caribbean paradise. A total of 259 families (1,319 people) were selected for the program, which promised agricultural land, housing and credit for the first year of farming. On 29 July 1956, the first 28 families (186 persons) arrived by ship. The journey took one month from Japan, and over the next four years, all families were settled. The names of the ships which did the trip include; Africa Maru, Brasil Maru, America Maru and Argentina Maru. There were eight settlements for the Japanese, with most near the border with Haiti. The promises of the government were not met in full, as many parcels of land were not arable and housing was not available to all immigrants. In 1961, when President Trujilio died, there were attacks on the Japanese, who were spoken of positively by the leader. In 1961, there was political instability in the country, and 70 Japanese families decided to relocate to other countries of the Americas, while 111 families returned home to Japan. The remaining families decided to stay in the DR. These families had to wait almost forty years for the promises of the government to be kept. In 1998, the "Luisa Project" distributed land to the Japanese settlers in Luisa, Santo Domingo. Only 27 families, accepted land whilst the remainder sued the Japan Government. The case was successful, and resulted in a written apology to the remaining families, and monetary compensation. The Japanese are respected for their work ethic and values, and are a small but important part of Dominican society. Other nearby attractions include, the bust of Fray Antonio de Montesino, a short walk north, the centenary anniversary of independence bowl sculpture in San Jose Park and the statue of Fray Antonio de Montesino, on the opposite side of the road.
6. Parque Duarte
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 16 reviews
Across the street from the Convento de los Dominicos, this small Colonial Zone park is a good choice for a relaxing break. Offering shady benches under trees, it is a popular meeting place for locals. The sculpture in the center of the park depicts Juan Pablo Duarte, one of the founding fathers of the Dominican Republic.
Reviewed By HLuiz - Jersey City, United States
Parque Duarte, a small park in Santo Domingo, is host to many groups- modern bohemians, musicians, artists, LGBT groups, and other types hanging out in the Colonial Zone. It’s a beautiful plaza-style park named after Juan Pablo Duarte, a Founding Father of the Dominican Republic. He is most noted for supervising and financing the Dominican War of Independence, a war that gave the Dominican Republic autonomy from Haiti on February 27, 1844. A statue of Juan Pablo Duarte resides in this beautiful park as a symbol or as a reminder that they are free. In Santo Domingo today, Independence and “free” may mean many different things to many different people and this park was representative of that. Duarte Park is best-known as a meeting place before stepping out to the late-evening nightlife Santo Domingo has to offer. Tourists congregate and hang out there too as well as many locals. My new Dominican Friends took me there as part of a media group one Friday night and that’s when I realized that Duarte Park was much more than a meeting place. The first thing I noticed was that it appeared that LGBT groups made-up one of the smallest groups hanging out in the park. It was packed with people. I’m told Friday and Saturday night starting around 9p or so is when people start to arrive – it was 11p when we arrived and the Duarte Park was in full swing. There are a couple of spots to get a beer and even some cocktails and you can drink right there in the park. On second thought, I really don’t know if it’s legal or not, but almost everyone was drinking something or another. If you bought something, you were expected to share. If you didn’t, someone would share with you. It really was a public social gathering with a party-like atmosphere. I was asked where the media group and I were going to that night and was advised about the best clubs to go to the following night. I heard light hearted gossip about how this one got piss-drunk, what scandalous outfit that one wore, and who hooked up with who the prior night at the clubs. My new friends were so right- this was a place people gathered at before going out. Then I heard other conversations floating through the night… So, Parque Duarte was really more than just a meet-up place before hitting the hot club spots. It’s a network where lots of information is transferred. A hotwire, if you will, of people concerned for the safety, the well-being, and the whereabouts of family, friends, and otherwise strangers like me. I liked hearing that they were all looking out for one another through this grapevine. If someone was not seen, heard of, or just missed, questions were quickly asked. If there was a problem or crime committed, that news spread quickly too. If someone fell ill, the alarm was rung and others did what they could to comfort the sick. I sensed that they self-imposed a responsibility for one another. Like they say, there’s safety in numbers. That network was necessary and vital to all those in the community and I was so very proud of them. If you’re a tourist and need to know of safe places to venture to in Santo Domingo, be sure to hit Duarte Park to get in the know!
7. Ruinas de Engombe
8. La Casa de Los Jesuitas
9. Plaza de la Cultura
10. Avenida George Washington
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 123 reviews
This popular thoroughfare is home to luxury hotels and casinos as well as historic monuments and statues.
Reviewed By americot198
On the edge of the water with ocean view restaurants and Hotels located across the street from the water. beautiful unbelievable and friendly people.
