Santo Domingo Things to Do Tips by alfredop

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.

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Phone: 682-4202/688-1518
Address: Calle Mercedes Esquina Las Damas, Ciudad Colonial
Other Contact: museodelacasar@codetel.net.do

The first cathedral in America is located in the heart of downton Santo Domingo. Quite simple but nice.

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The large fortress of Santo Domingo's Zona Colonial, the oldest and original part of the city. Also called the Fortaleza de Santo Domingo, the fort is bordered by the Ozama River and the Calle de las Damas, the oldest and most historic road in the city. Dating from 1502, the fort is the oldest military complex in the Americas. The peaceful atmosphere is a marked contrast to what it was in its heyday, as from this strategic site Spain launched numerous expeditions to Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the North American mainland.

This is where Trujillo (Rafael Trujillo, the dictator who brutally ruled the country from 1930 to 1961, when he was assassinated with CIA backing) used to keep prisoners. He killed lots of people. He was not democratic. He was friends with Baby Doc (neighbouring Haiti’s former dictator).

The fort also contains the Fuerte de Santiago (16th century) and the blocky powder house (18th century). The grounds are well maintained, and it is quite enjoyable to stroll about the walkways and lawns or relax on one of the benches. If you have the time, linger within the walls and stick around for the sunset.

The admission fee is less than a dollar, although you may be greeted by a tour guide who would like to give you a personal tour of the grounds for an additional fee. As usual, I like to tour a place solo if I can help it. Upon admission, you will get a little pamphlet (in Spanish only) with a nice site map and some historical information.

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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.

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When visiting the Columbus Lighthouse, make a stop at Los Tres Ojos and then the National Aquarium. Los Tres Ojos is an impressive 50-foot deep cave with three lagoons surrounded by stalagmites and lush vegetation, five minutes from the Lighthouse.

Los Tres Ojos are three open-air limestone sinkholes obscurely shrouded in forest across from eastern border of Parque Mirador del Este. Excursion buses stopping on their way to/from the capital have turned this natural highlight into quite the tourist trap, evident by the large parking lot on the northeast corner off the highway and swarms of vendors waiting to pounce on new arrivals.

Once paying the RD30 admission fee, restrooms and a small snack bar are farther back in the forest. Wanting to dodge sales pitches while getting a jump on the bus unloading,

Guides speaking numerous languages are available for hire, likely providing additional information, but the caves are rather self-explanatory and can be done in 30 minutes with plenty of time for soaking in the natural w(o/a)nder. Popularity has provoked tainted-ness, including underground vendors with racks of postcards and Polaroid photo opportunities. Avoiding the above-ground circus unknowingly extended the tour.

Profuse vegetation encircling the sink hole was astonishing! A low-lying natural ceiling snagged with eye-level stalactites rather defined a potential mouth for the three eyes, the mystical environment only swallowing you in more.

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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.

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The Colonial City is the perfect starting point for visitors to discover Santo Domingo. Here, between Independence Park and the Ozama River, you will find the first city built in the New World by European settlers, including Columbus's brother, Bartholomeo, and his son, Diego Columbus.

The first street in the Americas is Calle de Las Damas, the site of numerous historic buildings including the Ozama Fortress, the oldest fortress in the Americas. There is also the house of Nicolás de Ovando, governor of Santo Domingo in the early 1500's and a ruthless warrior against the Taino Indians.

Of great historical interest is the Museo de las Casas Reales(Museum of the Royal Houses), the restored 16th century palace of the Spanish Court, which features a wonderful glimpse of the past. Nearby is the Alcázar de Colón (Castle of Columbus) built by Diego Columbus and his wife Maria de Toledo, niece of the Spanish King Ferdinand.

A few streets over in the center of the walled city, visitors will find the Cathedral Basilica Santa Maria la Menor, pronounced the first cathedral in the New World by Pope Paul III in 1542. While touring the colonial city, visitors can learn all about amber, the stone made even more famous by Steven Spielberg's Jurassic Park film. The Amber Museum on Calle Arz. Meriño features exceptional educational exhibits of this semi-precious jewel.

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Also known as George Washington Avenue, El Malecón is a waterfront boulevard lined by bistros, bars and discos and is the location of the Dominican Carnival celebrated during in February.

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At the west end of El Conde is the El Conde Gate, part of the old city wall. It is now the entrace to Independence Park, where the mausoleum of the Fathers of the country is. Here is where Duarte, Sanchez, and Mella declared independence for the Dominican Republic in 1844.

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This busy market shows off a wide variety of goods and is the best place in Santo Domingo for handicrafts.

Beware of burglars and beggars.

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