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Dominican Republic · South coast

Santo Domingo travel guide

The oldest European city in the Americas

The Colonial Zone in Santo Domingo. Photo: Desox7x, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

9hflight from London
SDQnearest main airport
28° in Augwarmest month
25° in Jancoolest month

Santo Domingo is the Dominican capital and the oldest European city in the Americas. Its Colonial Zone has cobbled streets, the first cathedral in the New World and the Alcázar de Colón, home of Columbus's son.

In the evening the Malecón seafront and Zona Colonial's bars come alive with merengue and bachata.

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What Santo Domingo is known for

  • Colonial Zone

    A UNESCO old town.

  • The cathedral

    The oldest in the Americas.

  • Bachata

    Live music at night.

  • Los Tres Ojos

    Cave lakes in the city.

Top things to do in Santo Domingo

  1. 1

    The Colonial Zone

    Walk the cobbled streets.

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  2. 2

    Alcázar de Colón

    The Columbus family palace.

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  3. 3

    Los Tres Ojos

    Underground lakes.

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  4. 4

    A night of bachata

    Dance lessons and live bands.

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Where to stay in Santo Domingo

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Best time to visit Santo Domingo

Best value: May, Oct–Nov. December to April: dry and warm.

  • Best valueGood weather, smaller crowds
  • PeakBusiest, highest prices
  • QuietCheapest, cooler or wetter
24.7 C25°J24.9 C25°F25.4 C25°M26.3 C26°A26.8 C27°M27.4 C27°J27.6 C28°J27.8 C28°A27.7 C28°S27.2 C27°O26.1 C26°N25.2 C25°D
Bar height is the average temperature in Santo Domingo, °C, 2001–2025 (NASA POWER).

Getting there and around

About 9h from London to SDQ, and flights from most UK airports. How long is the flight from your airport?

Walk the Colonial Zone. Use Uber or taxis elsewhere.

Airport transfer to Santo Domingo

Find flights to Santo Domingo (SDQ)

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Good to know

  • Use Uber rather than street taxis.
  • Visit the Colonial Zone on a Sunday for live music by the ruins.
  • It's about 2.5 hours from Punta Cana.
Dominican Republic guidesWhen to goFlight times

Santo Domingo FAQ

Is Santo Domingo worth a day trip?

Yes, from Punta Cana.

Is it safe?

Take normal city precautions, especially at night.

More places in Dominican Republic

Back to the Dominican Republic travel guide + Add Santo Domingo to your bucket list