Where to Stay in Santo Domingo – A Guide to The Capital of the Dominican Republic
Santo Domingo is the capital of the Dominican Republic. Located along the Caribbean coast, in the south of the country, Santo Domingo is one of the oldest cities in the Americas and is famous for its charming old town with cobblestoned streets, colonial churches, and defensive fortresses, as well as for being the main gateway to explore the wonders of the Dominican Republic. In this post, we will discover the best areas to stay in Santo Domingo, DR.
Santo Domingo was founded by the Spanish in 1498, making it the oldest European-established city in the Americas. Its Zona Colonial is a UNESCO World Heritage Site home to some of the finest examples of Spanish colonial-era architecture in the New World.
The main attractions in Santo Domingo’s Historic City Center include the Alcázar de Colón, the Cathedral of Santa María la Menor, Fortaleza Ozama, the Museum of the Royal Houses, Columbus Park, the National Pantheon, Plaza de la Hispanidad, Puerta del Conde, Monasterio de San Francisco, and the Dominican Convent, just to name a few. See accommodation in Zona Colonial de Santo Domingo.
West of the Colonial Zone lies Gazcue, a lively area home to some of the city’s best 18th and 19th-century architecture, museums, and government buildings. Some of the attractions in this area include the neoclassical National Palace, the Museum of the Dominican Man, the Museum of Modern Art, the National Museum of Natural History, or the Palacio de Bellas Artes. See accommodation in Gazcue.
If you’re traveling to Santo Domingo with kids, this city is also home to several family-friendly attractions like the Dominican Republic National Aquarium, Caribbean Splash Water Park, Parque Zoológico Nacional, or the Trampoline Children’s Museum. Likewise, outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers will enjoy the many natural wonders in and around Santo Domingo, including The Three Eyes National Park and Manantiales del Cachón de la Rubia Park.
Santo Domingo also has several great urban beaches like Playa Punta Torrecillas and Guibia Public Beach. And, if you’re looking for a paradisiac escape away from the city, the nearby towns of Boca Chica and Juan Dolio offer picture-perfect white sands and turquoise water beaches.
Due to its coastal location, Santo Domingo has a tropical savannah climate. This means that the city’s temperature presents very little variation throughout the year (20 – 31 ºC). Likewise, although the dry season officially takes place from December through April, rains are also constant. Thanks to its constantly warm temperature, Santo Domingo is definitely an ideal tourist destination year-round. However, the best time to visit Santo Domingo is during the dry(er) season (December through April), when you can enjoy the beaches and outdoor activities without having to worry about it raining.
To get to Santo Domingo by air, the city is served by Las Américas International Airport. Located 30 minutes away from the city center, this major airport offers a wide range of regional connections to the Caribbean, Mexico, and the United States, as well as frequent mid and long-haul flights to destinations in Canada, South America, and Europe.
Santo Domingo is also very well-connected by a network of inter-city buses to the rest of the Dominican Republic. See long-distance bus routes, schedules & fares.
Local transportation in Santo Domingo is relatively well-developed and consists of a metro line, several bus lines, motorcycle and regular taxis. The Dominican Republic is considered safe to drive around and you can rent a car during your stay.
The best area to stay in Santo Domingo is the Zona Colonial. This quaint and lively district, a World Heritage Site, is home to the city’s historical monuments, main cultural attractions, nightlife, restaurants, and hotels. See accommodation in Santo Domingo’s Colonial Quarter.
Other great options to consider when choosing the best location in Santo Domingo include Gazcue, the Malecón area, and the upmarket developments in East Santo Domingo.
Keep reading to find out more about the best location in Santo Domingo for tourists.
Best Location in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic: A Quick Guide
Below, you’ll find a list of the best areas to stay in Santo Domingo depending on your travel style and what you may be planning to do during your trip. Keep reading below to find all the specific information you need about each particular area mentioned here.
- Best location in Santo Domingo for sightseeing: Zona Colonial (Historic City Center)
- Best location in Santo Domingo for nightlife: Malecón Santo Domingo
- Best location in Santo Domingo for families: Zona Colonial (Historic City Center) | Gazcue
- Best location in Santo Domingo without a car: Zona Colonial (Historic City Center)
- Best location in Santo Domingo for first-time visitors: Zona Colonial (Historic City Center)
- Best location in Santo Domingo for business travelers: Gazcue
- Best location in Santo Domingo for nature: Zona Oriental
- Best location in Santo Domingo for beach lovers: Malecón Santo Domingo
Best Hotels in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic by Theme
Something more specific in mind? Here’s a list of some of the best hotels in Santo Domingo. No matter your reason for visiting the city or style, you’ll find it here!
- Most unique hotel: Hodelpa Nicolás de Ovando
- Best mid-priced hotel: Holiday Inn Santo Domingo Hotel & Suites
- Best budget hotel: Aparthotel Genova
- Best luxury hotel: InterContinental Real Santo Domingo
- Best boutique hotel: Boutique Hotel Palacio
- Best hotel with a pool: Catalonia Santo Domingo
- Best resort: El Embajador, a Royal Hideaway Hotel
The Best Areas to Stay in Santo Domingo, DR
1. Recommended area: Old Town (Zona Colonial)
The Colonial Zone of Santo Domingo, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is the oldest European-founded settlement in the American continent.
Characterized by its colonial buildings from the 16th, 17th, and 18th centuries and its beautiful cobbled streets, the Historic Center of Santo Domingo showcases the rich history of Hispaniola in colonial times.
Some of the most important tourist attractions in this area include the Alcázar de Colón, the Museo de las Casas Reales, the Catedral Primada de América and the Fortaleza de Ozama, among others.
Being the historical and touristic heart of the Dominican capital, the Colonial Zone also houses souvenirs, handicrafts, and typical sweets shops.
The Colonial Zone is also home to a good part of Santo Domingo’s nightlife scene, with countless restaurants, cafes, bars, and clubs.
Although it is not connected by the city’s metro system, the Colonial Zone is easily accessible by bus and its most central streets are pedestrianized.
The accommodation offer in the historic center of Santo Domingo is very wide and includes from the cheapest inns to the best boutique hotels, many of which are located in old renovated colonial mansions.
In short, the Colonial Zone is the best area to stay in Santo Domingo to live an authentically Dominican experience and enjoy the history of this Caribbean country.
Why is this a recommended area to stay in Santo Domingo, DR:
- Best area to stay in Santo Domingo
- Boutique hotels
- Colonial art and architecture
- Restaurants and gastronomy
- Charming streets
- Pedestrian-friendly
Accommodation in this area
- Top Choice
Hodelpa Caribe Colonial
This modern hotel is located in the Colonial Zone of Santo Domingo Este, less than 1 km from the famous town of Alcázar de Colón. It houses an on-site restaurant and offers free Wi-Fi.
- Budget
Aparthotel Genova
Aparthotel Genova is a self-catering accommodation located a few steps from Parque de la Independencia, in Santo Domingo. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout.
- Luxury
Billini Hotel
The Billini Hotel is a boutique hotel in Santo Domingo located 650 meters from the port and Montesinos beach. It offers free WiFi throughout, an outdoor pool and a restaurant.
2. Gazcue
Gazcue is a district located west of the Old Town – Zona Colonial area.
Built to accommodate the expansion of the capital outside the colonial walls, this lively area is home to some of the best examples of 18th and 19th-century architecture and many of Santo Domingo’s most remarkable administrative and cultural buildings.
Gazcue’s main attractions include the neoclassical National Palace, which houses the executive branch of the country’s government.
Surrounding the beautiful Plaza de la Cultura, you’ll find the Museum of the Dominican Man, with exhibits of national history and culture, the Museum of Modern Art, which displays 20th-century Dominican works, and the National Museum of Natural History.
At its western end, Gazcue has two metro stations; Joaquín Balaguer and Casandra Damirón, as well as several bus stops that make it very easy to move to other areas of the city.
Due to its central location and administrative importance, Gazcue is also home to a large part of the accommodation offered in the city. In this area, you can find many luxury hotels by renowned international chains such as Reinassance, Barceló, or Sheraton.
Why is this a recommended area to stay in Santo Domingo:
- Relatively central
- Best area for business travelers
- Youth and alternative area
- Casinos and boutique hotels
Accommodation in this area
- Top Choice
Hotel Riazor
Located just a 2-minute walk from the Malecón seafront and Güibia Beach, Hotel Riazor offers a free dental consultation service, free private parking and a 24-hour restaurant.
- Budget
Hotel Riparbella
Located just 15 minutes’ walk from the colonial center of Santo Domingo, Hotel Riparbella offers a cafeteria, free parking and air-conditioned rooms with free Wi-Fi and views. The property has a terrace.
- Luxury
Barcelo Santo Domingo
Located in the historic center of Santo Domingo, Barcelo Santo Domingo offers practical facilities and is well connected to the capital’s beautiful monuments. The property offers free parking.
3. Malecón (Boardwalk) Area
Malecón de Santo Domingo, the city’s seaside promenade, is a waterfront boardwalk with restaurants and parks.
Officially called George Washington Boulevard, this seaside area of Santo Domingo is popular among tourists and locals and the best spot for strolling, biking, and rollerblading.
This upscale area is home to many of the city’s plush shopping areas, restaurants, and the most exclusive bars and clubs in the Dominican capital.
The iconic Plaza Juan Barón and its obelisk are some of the area’s main tourist draws.
But perhaps the best advantage to staying in this exclusive area is Güibia Beach, one of the main urban beaches in Santo Domingo.
This area is well-served by the city’s bus network.
As is to be expected, the accommodation offer around the Malecón consists mostly of upscale hotels and upper-class apartments in modern condominium buildings.
Why is this a recommended area to stay in Santo Domingo:
- Shopping Centers
- Sea views
- Tourist attractions
- Hotels of all kinds
- Gastronomy and shopping
- Pedestrian-friendly
Accommodation in this area
- Top Choice
Casa de Pedro
This property offers a bicycle rental service. Casa de Pedro is 900 meters from Santo Domingo Port and 1.5 km from Malecón. In addition, Casa de Pedro is located 23 km from the nearest airport, Las Americas.
- Budget
Hotel Santander
Featuring a restaurant and free Wi-Fi, Hotel Santander SD is just 2 minutes’ walk from the Santo Domingo Beach Boardwalk. The rooms are comfortable and include cable TV, air conditioning and a small refrigerator.
- Luxury
Catalonia Santo Domingo
The Catalonia Santo Domingo occupies a spectacular 21-story building facing the ocean, on George Washington Avenue, 30 minutes from Las Américas International Airport and a few minutes from the commercial district.
4. East Santo Domingo (Zona Oriental)
Santo Domingo East, also known as Zona Oriental is located, as its name suggests, in the eastern part of the city, east of the Ozama River.
Santo Domingo Este is home to a good portion of the city’s Malecón, which makes it ideal for walking, shopping, and partying.
Nature lovers will be delighted to stay in the Zona Oriental since this district is home to the Parque de Los Tres Ojos, a natural attraction with a network of caves and underground lakes.
Another major attraction in the area is the National Aquarium, with an impressive display of Caribbean aquatic life.
The Eastern Zone of Santo Domingo is also locally known for its nightlife venues, particularly around Avenida San Vicente de Paul and Avenida Venezuela.
Accommodation in Santo Domingo Este is very varied and the area has a wide selection of 3, 4, and 5-star hotels.
Accommodation in this area
- Top Choice
Setup Hotels
Setup Hotels Malecon del Este is located in the Santo Domingo Este district of Santo Domingo, 3.8 km from Santo Domingo Port. The property has a restaurant and a bar.
- Budget
Tropical Island Apartahotel
The Tropical Island Apartahotel is located in Los Corales del Sur, in Santo Domingo Este, a few steps from Charles de Gaulle and the Las Americas Highway. It offers 24-hour check-in and security.
- Luxury
The City Inn Hotel & Casino
The City Inn Hotel & Casino is located 2 minutes walk from Hollywood Mall. It offers an outdoor pool, free private parking, a casino, 2 nightclubs and air-conditioned rooms with free Wi-Fi.
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