Santo Domingo Dominican Republic Tourism & Travel Information Hotels Tours Airport Transfers

Santo Domingo					Dominican Republic

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Dominican Republic Travel Information

Santo Domingo Travel Information

About Santo Domingo

Santo Domingo is the capital of the Dominican Republic, and is located in the southeastern part of La Española (Hispaniola), the island that this country shares with Haiti in the Caribbean Sea. The Ozama River divides it in two: the eastern zone (the richest and most modern) and the western zone (the most visited due to tourist interests) (see a map of Santo Domingo).

Santo Domingo is the oldest city of the New World. UNESCO declared the Colonial Zone a Cultural Heritage of Humanity because of its rich past and preservation of buildings from the period (see photos).

Santo Domingo offers, as well, a wide array of places to visit such as the Malecón with world ranked restaurants, cafés, hotels, casinos and dance clubs, the Artesanal Market, the Zoological Park and the magnificent Botanical Gardens.

Towards the north, Santo Domingo shows the exclusiveness of the Naco and Piantini districts, with important shopping centers, banks, numerous hotels and restaurants.

Santo Domingo offers an abundant choice of first class hotels in the Malecón area and the nearby beaches of Boca Chica and Juan Dolio. In the Colonial Zone there are hotels for tourists with a lower budget.

The eastern zone of Santo Domingo bustles with commercial activity on Charles de Gaulle and Vicente de Paul avenues, with shopping and recreation centers, restaurants, bars and discotheques.

Hotels in Santo Domingo

The hotels in Santo Domingo have experienced increased activity in recent decades from the construction of new establishments and the renovation of existing ones. Because of this, the choices are wide and varied.

The top level hotels in Santo Domingo belong to the large international chains with excellent infrastructures and abundant conveniences. Most are located on George Washington Avenue (known as the Malecón) with a view of the sea.

The hotels in Santo Domingo located in the Colonial Zone are ancient buildings that are restored with a special charm. Lower budget tourists will find personalized attention and good service.

The “all inclusive” hotels are located in beach areas such as Juan Dolio and Boca Chica, and include three meals, sports, recreational activities, taxes and tips.

Most of the hotels in Santo Domingo are managed by the European system (lodging without breakfast). Their rates reflect a 26% surcharge in the final cost (10% legal tip plus 16% ITBIS, Tax on the Transfer of Industrialized Goods and Services).

Excursions in Santo Domingo

The excursions in Santo Domingo are oriented towards touring the Colonial City, visiting its museums, learning about the local flora and fauna in its parks, sharing its traditions and enjoying its beaches.

The Colonial City preserves hundreds of buildings from the 16th century, located on cobblestone streets. Santo Domingo is known for having the first cathedral in America, as well as the first monastery, first hospital, first university and the Ozama Fortress among others.

Several palaces of the Colonial Zone have been converted into museums. But along the ancient city wall, around the Plaza de la Cultura (Culture Square), are the most notable one: the Museum of the Dominican Man, the museum of Modern Art, History and Geography and the museum of Natural History.

Two amazing places to explore are the Museum of Ambar (the national semi-precious stone) and the Columbus Lighthouse, located on the other side of the Ozama River, where the mortal remains of Admiral Christopher Columbus lie.

5 minutes from the Lighthouse, one will find the Los Tres Ojos Park (The Three Eyes), named for the existence of three subterranean lagoons within an impressive cave, full of stalagmites and surrounded by luxuriant vegetation. Close by is the National Aquarium.

The Pomier Caverns, 30 kilometers southwest of Santo Domingo, is known for its Pre-Columbian drawings, as well as a large population of bats and an immensity of stalactites and stalagmites.

20 kilometers east of Santo Domingo the National Submarine Park La Caleta is located, and is considered a greatly attractive spot for scuba diving due to its coral reefs and fish. There are 3 large ships which have sunk in its waters and all 3 can be explored.

Boca Chica is the closest beach to Santo Domingo (30 kilometers away) and therefore, the most visited, especially by the locals. Its crystalline waters are surrounded by a large coral reef. 10 kilometers further away, Juan Dolio offers tranquility and a variety of aquatic activities.

Car Rentals in Santo Domingo

The Las Américas "Dr. José Francisco Peña Gómez" International Airport is the principal airport of the Dominican Republic. It is located 18 kilometers to the east of Santo Domingo (transit time: 30 minutes). The airport offers taxi services, local car rentals, several businesses, banks and currency exchange offices.

There are many forms of public transport in Santo Domingo. Taxis are expensive due to the fact that the price is the same for any distance within the city. Prices always need to be bargained with the driver.

The OMSA buses (Metropolitan Office of Bus Services) have specific schedules and routes and are cheaper than others, since they are administered by the government. There are three types: with or without air conditioning, and the “express”, which only stops in selected places.

The private buses (“guaguas”) leave their terminals when they have enough passengers, and are generally smaller. The sign on the front of the bus indicates the destination and there are no fixed stops.

There are also ‘public cars" which are shared taxis which run a route very similar to that of the buses.

The "motoconchos" are motorcycle taxis which offer a very economic service, but are not a safe way to travel, considering the driving habits of many Dominicans.

The Santo Domingo Port (western side), located in the opening of the Ozama River, lodges international cruise ships and tourist vessels.

Santo Domingo Tourist Information

The Dominican Peso is the official currency of the Dominican Republic. However, the dollar and the euro are accepted in the most important tourist establishment (see prices). There are exchange bureaus and banks available to the traveler during business hours. Most banks have ATMS within the Cirrus and Plus networks with bilingual service.

At the restaurants and bars, it is advisable to leave approximately a 10$ tip. All merchandise have a 16% tax for the Department of Internal Expenses.

The water in the Dominican Republic is NOT 100% acceptable for drinking. Drinking bottled water is recommended.

Santo Domingo is a tranquil city. But as in any other place in the world, take normal precautions to protect your belongings and valuables. At night, don’t wander away from public places and avoid poorly lit areas.