Santo Domingo is not only the capital of the Dominican Republic, it’s the largest city in the Caribbean and is rich in Spanish culture and influence, making for a unique getaway.
Oh, and did we mention the sun, sea and sand? Experience it for yourself with a holiday in Santo Domingo—your taste buds and dancing skills will never be the same.
This is a city that knows how to have a good time. If you time holidays in Santo Domingo just right, you’ll be able to attend one of the area’s two biggest festivals. The Merengue Festival is just what it sounds like: Lots of merengue, make sure you’re ready to dance! Additionally, late February brings around Carnival—it’s a huge event in many Latin nations across the world. If you like to party in the streets wearing elaborate, colourful costumes (and who wouldn’t?), Carnival is for you.
Even without the festivals, there’s tons to see and do, from checking out the casinos, clubs and cafes on Malecon to taking in the natural beauty of Jardin Botanico. Put the Plaza de la Cultura on your itinerary for museums featuring art from the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Puerto Rico and other surrounding islands. With one of our Santo Domingo car rental deals, you’ll be sure to see it all. (Plus, you can make awesome day trips like Santiago part of your itinerary.)
The must-buy on Santo Domingo holidays is amber, the country’s national gem. With a huge range of colours and a variety of things trapped inside (spiders, mosquitos with dinosaur DNA inside…or that might be the plot of Jurassic Park), you can buy unique pieces for everyone on your list. Calle la Atarazana in the Zona Colonial and the National Market on Avenida Mella are the best places to find jewellery and other gifts. Practice your “muy caro!” (too expensive!) and prepare to bargain.
You’ll never be far from delicious dishes on a San Domingo holiday, including Japanese, Mexican and Italian fare. Dominican classics, on the other hand, can be surprisingly hard to find. The best strategy: Wander the outskirts of Zona Colonial and look for the place with the most locals! That’s where you’ll find tostones (fried plantains), lime-drenched ceviche and carmelised rice with beans.
Caribbean nightlife never disappoints—it doesn’t even matter what day of the week it is! Put on your dancing shoes and head to the Malecon to merengue the night away. Zona Colonial is another good bet for everything from laid-back lounges to bass-heavy reggaeton clubs. The rum will be flowing, and the next day, the sancocho desietecarnes will be ready: This “stew of seven meats” will supposedly cure any hangover.
Wotif’s Santo Domingo deals let you spend more time creating your awesome itinerary and less time thinking about how much it costs. Whether you’re planning a huge blowout or just want to get off the grid, we make it easy to book your trip today and head for the beach tomorrow!
