Live Fun Travel | Adventure Travel Blog – Cool Things to Do in Santo Domingo

So you are heading to the Dominican Republic and want to know some awesome issues to do.  Santo Domingo is one particular of the major metropolitan cities in the Caribbean. With a population of all over 4 million, the town is the cultural, monetary, and financial hub of the region. Alongside with this, Santo Domingo also has the luxurious of getting the 1st European city in the new earth. The town was established by the Spanish in 1496 by Christopher Columbus’s brother, Bartolome. The city initially sat on the East bank of the Ozama river until finally it was moved to the West Lender, with the port and harbor of Santo Domingo sitting at the mouth of the river. The to start with significant slave revolt in the Americas commenced in Santo Domingo and was a scorching target for pirates together with notable English privateer Sir Francis Drake. Right after many revolutions, political unrest, and even two invasions, the town of Santo Domingo continues to be currently as a spot with a loaded society, amazing colonial-era architecture, and plenty to see and do. Santo Domingo was the initial seat of Spanish colonial rule in the Americas and is the oldest constantly inhabited settlement in the Americas.

Santo Domingo is divided into two halves, divided by the Ozama River. The western facet is extremely created economically whilst the japanese side has traditionally lagged powering a little bit in that regard. As a tourist, you will possible be spending most of your time on the western facet and together the “Zona Colonial”. The central region is lovely with palm-lined streets, previous residences, and loads of upscale shopping and dining. Discover the outdated and the new and see the greatest of the new world’s initial city.

 

Stroll Via the Colonial Zone

The “Zona Colonial” or simply the Colonial Zone is a single of the oldest neighborhoods on the continent. It is the historic center of the old city and is entirely a UNESCO Entire world Heritage Web-site. The Colonial Zone is the largest vacationer attraction in the town with its cobblestone streets, colonial-era properties and residence, and outstanding colorful art scene. The space is at a continual bustle. Locals and tourists mingle on the streets, shops, and open doorways enabling a peek into the lives of the persons whilst key shaded courtyards and alleyways make it really feel like you are taking a appear into the previous. Shop for souvenirs, or simply head to a cafe and grab a espresso even though you sit on the patio and enjoy the world go by. The colonial zone is large and has a ton of items to check out out inside it. But if you are short on time and just want a flavor, acquiring a stroll through the city centre is a wonderful way to spend an afternoon.

Parque Colón: At the coronary heart of the Colonial Zone is the Parque Colón. Avenue performers, vendors, locals, travelers, and youngsters come listed here to dangle out, fulfill up and just love the vibes. With the statue of Columbus standing proper in the middle, the park is a terrific spot to orient you with the relaxation of the town. To the north is the Calle el Conde which is the city’s to start with most important pedestrian avenue where by you’ll obtain a good deal of cafes and restaurants, and on the south aspect is the gorgeous Catedral Primada de América.

Catedral Primada de América: Sitting on the south side of the park, the Catedral Primada de América was accomplished in 1540 and was the to start with cathedral developed in the Americas. Most likely what will make the cathedral even additional stunning is the fact that the grounds are not ruins. The building is continue to a thoroughly performing place of worship and seems considerably like it did when it was created about 450 many years back. First functions like the grand mahogany doorways, silver altar, and painting of the Virgin Mary keep on being just as they did when it was to start with developed. 

Calle El Conde: Jogging from the Plaza Independencia to the Parque Colon, the Calle El Conde is a single of the best streets to check out in the Colonial Zone. Just beyond the Ozama River, the street is crammed with restored colonial structures, outside eating and dining places, and a extensive stretch of pedestrian going for walks spots with a lot of shade from the sun. It has a distinct European sense with all the heat of the Caribbean. As you stroll nearer to Plaza Independencia, the retailers start off to get additional and much more upscale and modern with scaled-down shops and boutiques. Procuring, dining, and nightlife, all in a single street.

 

Master About A person of the Country’s Biggest Exports

For those people with a sweet tooth, you’ll be capable to move into a chocolatey world like you’re at the Caribbean Willy Wonka factory. Chocolate is massive small business in the Dominican Republic and the Choco Museum is there to document the historical past of a person of the country’s biggest exports. The Dominican Republic is the selection a single exporter of organic cocoa. The Choco Museum will take guests on a tour (in English or Spanish) through the record of cocoa production and its record on the island. Along the way, you can sample some delectable products and solutions which include parts of chocolate, chocolate beverages, and even cocoa-dependent makeup. Learn about the course of action of developing, drying, and processing, and of study course, purchase a couple of chocolatey samples to take with you when you leave. 

 

Investigate the Oldest Fortress in the Americas

Due to the fact Santo Domingo is thought of “the very first town of the new world”, a large amount of the historic landmarks and structures are the “oldest”. The Fortaleza Ozama is named following the river it sits on the mouth of. Located just outdoors the Colonial Zone, the fortress was built in 1502 and was positioned to withstand attacks from invaders and rebellions. With its 10-foot-thick partitions, the fortress has withstood longer than several governments ruling it has. 

In addition to remaining a navy base, the fortress also housed the Viceroy of Santo Domingo, of which Christopher Columbus was after a person. He and his family lived here and in the course of his reign, he was so corrupt that the Spanish royal govt noticed him unfit to govern and experienced him jailed in his have fortress. Following he was dismissed, Columbus never ever returned. 

The record of the fort is tumultuous and exchanged hands among nations around the world quite a few moments. The fort was so perfectly-crafted that it ongoing to be a prison well into the 20th century. By the 1960s it shut and turned a monument and countrywide landmark. 

 

Find out a Small about the Country’s Fashionable Heritage

In 1955, pretty much half of the Latin American republics were dominated by dictators. Even though the notion of a armed service dictatorship was not just uncommon in the location, the sheer brutality of Rafael Leónidas Trujillo’s routine was regarded as much even worse than any many others in the location. Pursuing several years of political unrest in the early 20th century, Trujillo took about ability in 1930 and ruled with an iron fist until eventually 1961 when he was then assassinated. Like most despotic dictators, he ruled the nation at his whim. Seizing land and supplying funds and electricity to those people he appreciated and oppressing these he did not. He even renamed Santo Domingo to “Ciudad Trujillo”. Apart from killing 50,000 of his possess countrymen, he also experienced folks killed exterior the nation. 

The Trujillo legacy in the state is a sensitive subject, but the Memorial Museum of Dominican Resistance aims to educate and serve as a reminder about the country’s past without the need of glossing in excess of it. Replicas of torture chambers and displays of renowned historic moments less than his routine are recreated in ugly detail. 

 

Love just one of the City’s Most Exclusive Eating Establishments

Not only is Meson de la Cava a single of the city’s most exclusive places to try to eat, but it’s also 1 of the finest. The Meson de la Cava restaurant is as the title implies, a cafe located in a cave. Tucked away in a cave carved out by tens of millions of years of waves and water erosion, the Meson de la Cava is very regarded for its Dominican and French delicacies by both equally locals and readers alike. Prior tenants of the cave incorporate Taino natives, pirates, and a pan-American government corporation. 

Though the entrance to the restaurant is located on the street stage, you will have to descend a 40-foot staircase to get to the foyer. Just take in the sights of all the stalagmites and stalactites, as effectively as the amazing display screen of worthwhile belongings from the preceding occupants. 

When it arrives to the food items here. Anticipate stellar support and new dishes created from nearby elements and seafood fished out of the Caribbean Sea from the exact same afternoon. Spanish and French-motivated dishes mingle with Dominican substances for an wonderful fusion of taste.

 

Capture a Video game at Estadio Quisqueya

Baseball is huge small business in the Dominican Republic and the Estadio Quisqueya in Santo Domingo is house to two of the city’s largest teams the Tigres del Licey and Leones del Escogido so no issue what there is normally some bustling action going on. Created in 1955 the stadium was modeled right after the Bobby Maduro Stadium in Miami and was then remodeled and renovated in 2007 to in good shape more spectators. The stadium sits about 15,000 persons and is a single of the very best spots in the nation to witness Dominican baseball at its very best. 

 

Get a Flavor of Neighborhood Fusion Delicacies

Along the Avenida Juan Pablo Duarte is in which you’ll locate Santo Domingo’s Chinatown. Unlike a great deal of more substantial city’s Chinatowns, the just one below is much less geared in the direction of tourists and is a humbly doing work and center-class place. Though there are plenty of Chinese personnel in the metropolis together with 2nd technology Chinese-Dominican immigrants, locals have taken a big interest in Chinese food items. So significantly so that Chinese and Dominican fusion has essentially grow to be its matter. 

Each individual Sunday near Mercado Modelo neighborhood farmers and grocers provide Chinese food, Chinese fruits, and Chinese veggies together with the local make. The end result of which is a fascinating face concerning the two cultures. Dominican-style fried Rooster (identified as Pica Pollo) is served alongside Chinese-fried rice, plantain slices, and other Chinese ease and comfort food items staples. The region is a lot more aimed in direction of locals so brush up on your Spanish and indulge in a incredibly niche-but-by some means-genuine culinary working experience. 

 

Expend a working day At Boca Chica or Juan Dolio

You’re shelling out some time in the Caribbean, you’re going to want to check out the regional beach locations. Whilst Santo Domingo is located on the coast, you will have to head outside the house the metropolis if you want a seaside experience. To the east of the metropolis is the city of Boca Chica and it is about a 30-moment travel from Santo Domingo. Whilst hotels and lavish summer season residences ended up popping up in this article as early as the 1950s, it was only until the 70s that it became regarded as a scorching seashore place. White sandy seashores, crystalline waters, and incredibly hot Caribbean sun make it a great escape from the city.

Juan Dolio is a little more regional-oriented but just as nice as Boca Chica. Located a little bit further absent but nevertheless, on the coastline, Playa Juan Dolio is common with locals and tourists and gives features like parking areas and a town close by if you want to decide on up some things or grab a mild lunch. Juan Dolio has the privilege of currently being “less touristy” so the ecosystem feels a little much less spoiled with its notable absence of accommodations and a great deal of palm trees. 

 

Our Remaining Phrase

Kati is a lot a lot more of a seashore and Caribbean person than I, but Santo Domingo is so significantly more than just seashores.  Apart from the beaches which are good, heritage, chocolate and baseball rule the island with some great meals.  What much more could you question for. When planning that next excellent partners or family members desired destination, look at the DR and head to Santo Domingo.  You will not be dissapointed.