Things To Do in Santo Domingo & Las Americas Airport Layover Ideas

Santo Domingo is the capital of the Dominican Republic and the oldest European city in the Americas. The old city is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Christopher Columbus walked these streets! Despite boasting a rich cultural, architectural and artistic heritage, Santo Domingo has not been exploited for all its tourist potential. You're pretty much on your own to discover this fascinating city. Make the most of your time there.

Colonial Zone

Check out the many examples of 15th and 16th century architecture in the Colonial Zone. Walk up the Calle del Conde, a very old pedestrian shop-lined street that used to be the commercial heart of the city. This street leads to the Puerta de la Independencia, where the Dominican Republic proclaimed its independence from Haiti. Check out La Atarazana street after dark for a variety of romantic outdoor cafes with a spectacular view of the Alcazar and bay area. One such brasserie, Pat E Palo, has operated uninterrupted since 1505.

Plaza de la Cultura

This amazing complex is home to the National Theater and five museums, ranging from the delapidated and mundane, to the crisp, modern Museum of Modern Art, the largest in the Caribbean and home to exhibits by artists from Jamaica, Bahamas, Puerto Rico, and of course, the Dominican Republic. If want a nice beautiful garden to read or talk this is your place also.

Malecon

Malecon (George Washington Avenue) is a waterfront boulevard that is home to several huge hotel/casino complexes and dozens of small restaurants, clubs and cafes. Go there to people watch, take a romantic carriage ride or just have a few beers.

Shop

If you are feeling adventurous, have a cab take you to the Mercado Modelo nearby. This indoor labyrinth of shops can be overwhelming for a new tourist but, don't worry, it is safe. Then again, you might feel safer asking the cab driver to escort you through the maze of shops and kiosks offering every imaginable kind of souvenir, jewellery, stone, artwork, etc.

Eco-tourism

Find your way to the Parque Mirador Sur, an impressive park overlooking the coast. Bike rentals are at your disposal. Also, you can visit the Jardin Botanico, a vast, beautiful and lush park situated near one of Santo Domingo's most exclusive neighbourhoods. There you can experience different ecosystems from a rain-forest to a Japanese garden.

A note of caution: Poverty, though not as bad as next door Haiti, is still rampant and it is best you take precautions. Do not flash obvious wealth, keep a firm grip on your bag, walk confidently, and try not to dress or act like a tourist.

As always, make sure you leave plenty of time to get back to SDQ Las Americas International Airport and clear security in time for your connecting flight. Enjoy your transit city rather than whiling away the time leaning up against your luggage in the departures lounge.