This destination is most popular for its resort beachside experience, however for the adventurer, like me there is also much more to the DR. So here is a list of places to see and things to do!
Santo Domingo:
This is a great stop for one or two days to get an authentic experience and see the colonial zone and the history.
Where to stay : we stayed at a perfect Airbnb (linked). This was in the heart of the city. It’s very walkable- definitely would be difficult to find parking if you have a car.
Transportation : I wouldn’t get a rental car when in Santo Domingo, however I would get one on the way out. It seems like an accident waiting to happen in the streets of Santo Domingo, however, after that I found driving to be easy.
Here are a few historic sites to see in that area:
◦ Basilica Cathedral of Santa Maria la menor
◦ Fortaleza Ozama
◦ Calle de Las Damas
◦ National Pantheon
Other things to see and do :
-Ride el teleferico- ride the clean metro in Santo Domingo and then get a free connection to the cable car that takes you up above through various neighborhood
-La Colonial Zone-cultural events, social movements, art galleries, museums, nightlife, and trendy restaurant
-Alcazar de Colon
-Chu chu colonial- ride the train around the are
-San Domingo Chinatown Sunday Morning Market
-Visit Christopher Columbus’s son’s home, as well as colonial forts and churches, and museums full of antiquities
Where to eat-
◦ Plaza Espana
◦ Jalao
◦ Mercado Colonized
◦ Buche perico- large greenhouse
◦ Mix empanadas – cute little hole in the wall with delicious empanadas
◦ Sicily’s(empanadas)
◦ Pat’e palo
Leave Santo Domingo for Punta Cana
This is where I recommend getting a rental car. The drive from Santo Domingo to Punta Cana is 3.5 hours. But there is one beautiful stop along the way to help with the journey.
-Los tres ojos- is a nature reserve and open-air limestone cave system with a series of crystal clear lakes known as the “eyes.” It is closer to Santo Domingo, but a great way to start the drive.
Punta Cana
The beachside resort part of the trip starts here!
Where to stay: We stayed at two lovely resorts one was Vista Sol and the other was Radisson Blu Resort Punta Cana. They were both lovely and completely different experiences- check my story highlights for Dominican Republic on Instagram @sunitagabrielle
Things to do in Punta Cana:
◦ Taino Caves (nearby)
◦ Scape Park- I did this and loved this experience (it’s an all day thing!)
◦ Atv tour – sugar canes plantations and rice fields
• Plunge into Laguna Guama, a.k.a the lagoons at Indigenous Eyes Ecological Park & Reserve
• Lounge on the stunning Macao or Bavaro Beaches
Enjoy the resort, free food, drinks, and entertainment!
Leave Punta Cana and head back to Santo Domingo, but stop by La Romana for one night, if you have time!
◦ take a day boat cruise to Catalina island to snorkel
◦ Altos de Chavon. At this recreated Mediterranean style village located atop the Chavon Rover