The oldest continuously inhabited European settlement in the Americas, the fascinating city of Santo Domingo features many of the Dominican Republic's most beautiful colonial buildings, yet it also has a lively modern-day buzz. Less touristy than certain other stretches of the coast, the island’s capital offers everything from intimate heritage properties to swish design hotels, fit for a range of tastes and budgets. The best places to stay in Santo Domingo are clustered within the Colonial Zone, perfect for on-foot explorations.
Set near the mouth of the Rio Ozama and close to the city’s port, the Colonial Zone brims with 15th and 16th-century buildings, including the Ozama Fort, the Alcazar de Colón Museum, and the imposing Cathedral Primada de América. The Museum of Royal Houses, the Museo Memorial de la Resistencia, and the Amber World Museum, dedicated to the island’s unique stones, are also highlights. Sunset drinks at one of the bars or eateries of Plaza España make for marvellous people-watching!
Head to the National Botanic Gardens for a leafy wander and check out the bars, casinos and palm-lined boulevards of the seaside Malecón district. Spend your afternoons and evenings at the vibrant bar-lined squares of the city, where you’ll find laid-back live music, vendors haggling over larimar and amber, and endless games of dominos being played. Then retreat to one of the best places to stay in Santo Domingo to prepare for another day of adventure!