Destination
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Santo Domingo is the oldest European city in the Americas, with a walkable colonial core, a merengue-and-bachata nightlife scene and more Dominican flavour than the beach resorts.
Trips to Santo Domingo from every city
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When to go
| Month | Season |
|---|---|
| January | best |
| February | best |
| March | best |
| April | best |
| May | fine |
| June | fine |
| July | fine |
| August | avoid |
| September | avoid |
| October | avoid |
| November | best |
| December | best |
- February: Carnival parades every Sunday in February, culminating on the 27th for Independence Day.
- July: Merengue festival on the Malecón in late July.
August, September, October: Peak hurricane season, with the hottest, wettest weather of the year.
Where to stay in Santo Domingo
- Zona Colonial: The UNESCO old town of 16th-century streets, boutique hotels and the liveliest bars.
- Piantini: Modern business district with international hotels, malls and upscale restaurants.
- Naco: Residential and restaurant district next to Piantini, a little calmer.
- Gazcue: Leafy early 20th-century neighbourhood between the Colonial Zone and the Malecón.
- Malecón: Seafront avenue of large hotels and casinos with ocean views.
What to do in Santo Domingo
- Walk Calle Las Damas, the first paved street in the New World
- Tour the Alcázar de Colón, home of Columbus's son
- Swim-free wander through the Los Tres Ojos cave lakes
- Dance merengue at a Sunday street party on the Malecón
- The Catedral Primada, the first cathedral in the Americas
- Beach afternoon at Boca Chica or Juan Dolio
Good to know
| Airports | Santo Domingo Las Américas International (SDQ) |
|---|---|
| Passport for US citizens | yes |
| Price level | budget-friendly |
| Time zone | America/Santo_Domingo |
| Kind of trip | city, history, culture, food, nightlife |
Questions about Santo Domingo
When is the best time to visit Santo Domingo?
November, December, January, February, March and April. August, September, October: Peak hurricane season, with the hottest, wettest weather of the year.
Do US citizens need a passport for Santo Domingo?
Yes. Santo Domingo is in Dominican Republic; bring a valid passport.
How expensive is Santo Domingo on the ground?
Santo Domingo is budget-friendly by US standards: plan about $60 per person per day for food, getting around and tickets.