Santo Domingo Day Trip
Description
Embark on a journey through the colonial zone of Santo Domingo, where you will explore the heritage left by the Columbus family and visit key monuments in the oldest city of the Americas.
Trip Overview
At the scheduled time, we will pick you up from your accommodation in Punta Cana and begin our adventure towards Santo Domingo.
Your first stop will be at the breathtaking Los Tres Ojos grotto, where you can marvel at notable freshwater lakes situated in an impressive cave setting. Following this, we will view the exterior of the Columbus Lighthouse, rumored to house the remains of the famous explorer.
We will then pause outside the Presidential Palace to admire its magnificent neoclassical facade before continuing our exploration of Santo Domingo's historic heart, the scenic Ciudad Colonial.
Next, we will enter the temple of Santa María de La Encarnación, known as the Cathedral Primada de América, the oldest cathedral in the continent, to uncover its hidden tales. Afterward, a stroll along the Calle de las Damas will lead you to the site of the first stone house in the New World. Our visit also includes the National Pantheon, the final resting place of many prominent Dominican figures.
Continuing our walk, we will reach the Plaza de España, known for its charming terraces that offer breathtaking views of the Ozama River. Here you will find the illustrious Alcázar de Colón, the residence of the Admiral. Remember to capture some photos during our time inside!
Following the exploration, we will dine at a local restaurant in the historic area, indulging in a savory buffet lunch featuring local specialties such as rice, meat stew, and beans. A selection of non-alcoholic beverages will also be included. Reenergized, we will head towards the Malecón for stunning vistas of the Caribbean Sea.
As the day concludes, we will return you to your hotel, with an expected arrival time between 9 to 11.5 hours post pickup.
Temporary Closures
The Alcázar de Colón will not be open on Mondays. On those days, we will proceed with a panoramic tour of its exterior.
During remodeling works, the Alcázar de Colón will be closed until further notice. Instead, we will offer a visit to the Museum of the Royal Houses (Museo de las Casas Reales), one of the key cultural landmarks in Dominican history. Additionally, some museums may be closed for maintenance on Mondays, in which case we will only observe them from the outside.
```What's included
- Hotel pickup and drop–off
- Transport by minibus or bus
- English–speaking guide
- Admission tickets to sites mentioned
- Buffet–style lunch with non–alcoholic drinks
What's not included
- Alcoholic beverages
Cancellation policy
Rimborso del 50% se cancelli almeno 24 ore prima (local time)
Cancellazione gratuita fino a 48 ore prima (local time)
Accessibility
Accessible only for folding chairs. Accessible toilets. An accompanying person is required. This must be indicated in the reservation. Information in accessible formats.
Important information
Hotel Pickup
Pickup starts at the first hotel of the route at 7:30 am, so you can have breakfast at your hotel. However, the local team will contact you to establish the exact pickup time for each hotel in advance, except for the following:
- Hotel Cortecito Inn and Punta Cana Princess: pickup will be at 7:20 am
Once you know the exact pickup time, please be ready at the front desk 10 minutes in advance to avoid delays in the tour.
Please note that pickup from the Bahia Principe (all hotels), Ocean El Faro, and Melía resort hotels will be at the main entrance of the complex, at the security checkpoint. Clients must stay inside the complex and will be called by their name and last name.
For the rest of the hotels, pickup will be inside the hotel, in their usual places (lobby, meeting point, etc.), although the exact place and pickup time will be informed.
National Aquarium
This activity does not include the entrance nor the visit to the National Aquarium of the Dominican Republic.
Temporary Closures
The Alcazar de Colón will be closed on Mondays. On that day, we'll make a panoramic tour of its exterior.
In case the Alcazar is closed the rest of the days, we'll substitute this part of the visit with a tour of the Museum of the Royal Houses, one of the Cultural Monuments of the Dominican History.
Important Info
If you are participating in the activity with children, on the day of the activity, it is likely that we'll ask you for a document that proves their age. Please be sure to bring their passport or a photo of it.
You might also like
Punta Cana Helicopter Ride
Admire the beaches of Punta Cana from above the clouds on an unforgettable helicopter ride to tour the Dominican coas...
PADI Open Water Diving Course
Become a certified diver with this PADI Open Water Diver course in Punta Cana. You'll be exploring the seabed in no t...
Bachata Class in Punta Cana
If you're in Punta Cana and want to become real dancers, this bachata class is perfect for you. We'll teach you the f...
Punta Cana Dominican Rum Tasting
Discover the taste of the Dominican Caribbean with a rum tasting in Punta Cana and learn to make your own sugarcane j...