Old World history set to a distinctly Latin beat: this is the soul of Santo Domingo. The city is a maze of medieval palaces and boasts the first cathedral, university, and hospital in the western hemisphere. Beneath the black velvet of a signature Santo Domingo night sky, gaze upon the beauty of the Columbus Lighthouse--actually a mausoleum--as it beams a cross-shaped beacon toward the stars.
I enjoyed this port-Santa Domingo. There is tons of history to explore! Be sure to take an excursion-I did the day City Tour and felt safe.. otherwise you may not feel as safe.
Santo Domingo is a very nice old City. the colonial zone is very historic with several museums and monuments. a plethora of restaurants with very modest prices and varied cuisine. The colonial zone has security now and almost every block. The Colonial Zone is very a good place to sit and sip on a coffee or beer and people watch. Uber is plentiful and it costs between three and five bucks to get almost anywhere in the city. There are few Mega malls about 15 minutes from the Colonial Zone. A very good restaurant overlooking the ocean is Adrian Tropical. A meal is about 8 bucks there. Also a good place to people-watch is at a cafe called Paco's aka Grand Cafe located at the edge of the Colonial Zone. Download Google maps before you leave the ship and pinpoint the locations. Many of the restaurants offer free Wi-Fi you just have to ask the waitress. Good as well to download Google Translate Spanish for offline use. Note Santo Domingo is not safe at night. Even most locals are in the house by 8 p.m. Daytime is not a problem. Still best to leave all your touristy looking gear on the ship. All restaurants take credit cards and cash. Dollars are not widely accepted but you can get change at the change bureaus throughout the colonial Zone. Most tourists stick out because they wear the tourist uniform like shorts, sunglasses and tank tops and backpacks. If you're trying to blend in you want to wear blue jeans and leave the backpacks cameras goofy mama gardening hats and purses on the ship.
Not a lot to do close to the ship.
Visited: Nov 23, 2003
Take an excursion. It would probably be safer! We did hear some people did get robbed that were on their own, but who knows if that is true!
Visited: Jan 21, 2017
City Sites and Bites
$70/adult
City Highlights
$60/adult
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