Santo Domingo Travel Guide

You’ll need more than one visit to Santo Domingo to experience the best of its scrumptious culinary scene. That said, don’t miss Pat’e Palo. The restaurant was originally established by a Dutch pirate to be the first tavern in the Americas. Today it’s European cuisine at its finest. The outdoor patio has spectacular views of the Alcazar.

Meson D’Bari is another favourite option both with tourists and Dominican intellectuals, artists, and celebrities. This is one of the best spots to sample traditional Dominican cuisine while listening to live merengue music. For an eclectic dining experience, head to El Meson de la Cava. While the food is good, it’s the restaurant’s one-of-a-kind location inside a cave that proves truly memorable.

History lovers and foodies alike shouldn’t miss Tequia Experience’s four-course walking food tour of Santo Domingo. The private tour takes guests to the best restaurants in the Colonial Zone while providing fascinating facts and details about the oldest section of the city. Alternatively, try a Chocolate Tour to discover the fascinating world of chocolate. Industry experts guide you through the process of turning cocoa beans into delicious chocolate. Along the way taste hot cocoa, have lunch, and get a chance to make your own chocolate bar.

Whether it’s sipping beer all afternoon in the park or dancing merengue until the wee hours of the morning, Dominicans certainly know how to party. There are numerous stylish clubs throughout the city, though do note that the party doesn’t typically start until midnight or later.

Club Aire is regularly named one of the most beautiful gay clubs in the Caribbean. Dress to impress at this swanky establishment that’s conveniently located in the Colonial Zone.

And while merengue and bachata are what the Dominican Republic is primarily known for, it would be amiss not to mention the country’s lively jazz scene. Annual jazz festivals and summer concerts aside, Lulú’s is one of the best places to sip a rum and coke at a live jazz performance. The setting within a Spanish-style plaza is as romantic as could be.

Santo Domingo is a mere three and a half hour drive to the popular beach resorts in both Punta Cana and Puerto Plata. If you do decide to drive to the coast, keep in mind that Dominican drivers follow their own set of rules and guidelines. Full car rental insurance is a must.

If you’ve only got a day for a beach escape, try Juan Dolio Beach. It’s just past the more famous Boca Chica Beach and only around 45 minutes from Santo Domingo.