Santo Domingo – Where to Stay, What to See and Do

The Dominican Republic is so much more than a beach resort destination.

Santo Domingo, the capital city, is one that should without a doubt be on travelers’ radars – especially the history lovers out there.

The Dominican Republic is investing in making Santo Domingo a destination on the list for travelers considering the Caribbean. The city is teeming with old-world charm as well as modern options outside its historical Colonial City.

Santo Domingo’s tourism will continue to elevate, especially as the Dominican Republic will begin construction later this year on a train that will connect Santo Domingo to Punta Cana.

“Santo Domingo has a beautiful heritage,” said Yudit Garcia, General Manager of JW Marriott Santo Domingo and President for the Hotel Association of Santo Domingo.

“It’s the oldest colonial zone that we have in the Caribbean. But in addition to that, Santo Domingo has developed a lot in the last 20 years. As you can see, this property [JW Marriott Santo Domingo] is located in the financial district and you can look around and understand how the entire city is evolving.

“Now, in terms of a commercial entities, we have a presence of multiple international hotel chains – all of the main hotel chains are located here. The business type that happens in the Santo Domingo area is pretty much related to groups as well as some special corporate business. You can have the combination of Bleisure, which is the business and the leisure. You can not only experience the flawless gastronomic that the hospitality has here but also mix it up with the hotel and with a colonial area and the historical area. So you have the combination of the cosmopolitan view but you have the heritage that you can maximize as well. It’s the best of both worlds in one place…even the connectivity from here to all other areas. If you want to enjoy the beach, it's less than 45 minutes.” 

The courtyard at Hodelpa Nicolas de Ovando in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic (Photo Credit: Eric Bowman)

Where to Stay

Seeking a stay in the heart of the historical district? The Colonial City has a few different options from Hodelpa properties. The 5-star Hodelpa Nicolas de Ovando stands out for a taste of luxury in the Colonial City.

The hotel features 92 guest rooms and four suites. The Spanish colonial heritage is seen throughout the property, with one wing of the hotel featuring colonial-style rooms. The Imperial Club Lounge is not to be missed, and the courtyards here will have you feeling like you’ve stepped back in time.

For those opting to visit the Colonial City and seeking their familiar hotel chains to rest their heads at night, Marriott stands out with multiple options including Courtyard by Marriott, JW Marriott, and Renaissance Santo Domingo Jaragua Hotel & Casino.

The outdoor infinity pool at the JW Marriott makes for a great backdrop both during the day and at night, and the hotel’s glass floor terrace is a thrill in itself.  

What to See and Do

No trip to Santo Domingo is complete without a Colonial City tour. Come prepared with comfortable shoes to walk around the old streets.

For travelers who just want an overview of the sites in a seated ride, hop on the small train from Chu Chu Colonial. The ride features recorded audio to narrate along the way as it takes you around the city, past monuments and churches, restaurants and more.

What was once a customs office and warehouse originally built in 1514 is now Museo De Las Atarazanas Reales, a museum that features discoveries and artifacts from Spanish shipwrecks. Museo de las Casas Reales (Museum of the Royal Houses) is another highly regarded museum in the Colonial City.

For the beer lovers out there, grab a local beer and a cheeseburger at Republic Brewery right in the heart of the Colonial City.

Shoppers will want to browse what the locals have on Calle El Conde, a pedestrian-only street that covers 11 blocks. It’s filled with shops, colorful buildings, restaurants, and other businesses.

Outside of the historic district, you can shop until you drop in the financial district. There are multiple high-end shopping malls right by JW Marriott, including the BlueMall, which features high-end brands, a food hall, a movie theater and even a children’s park.

One restaurant not to be missed in Santo Domingo is Larimar, an upscale dining venue with stunning décor. You’ll want to take pictures of the food and the walls, and the chairs, and the ceiling…it goes on. Larimar delivers on flavors with delicious seafood, sizzling steak, risotto we’re still dreaming about and so much more.

Larimar restaurant in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic (Photo Credit: Eric Bowman)

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