Day Trips to Santo Domingo from Punta Cana

Punta Cana is located at the confluence of the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. It is a privileged area with white sandy beaches, palm trees and nature reserves. Here you can enjoy numerous outdoor activities, explore the reefs or simply enjoy the nightlife.

Punta Cana' s attractions are many and varied, but if you're staying for at least a week, I recommend taking a day trip to the capital. Read on to find out all you need to know.

This tour focuses on the Zona Colonial, the original core of the capital - this is a completely pedestrianised area with cafes, shops and restaurants.

The historic buildings of the capital are concentrated here: the Palacio Consistorial with its elegant clock tower, the Ozama fortress, the ruins of the San Francisco Monastery and the houses of the Spanish colonists.

An air-conditioned vehicle will pick you up from your hotel in Punta Cana and accompany you to Santo Domingo. The group normally consists of a maximum of 49 travellers and includes an expert guide who will explain the history of the capital, with a major emphasis on the following attractions:

• Alcazar de Colon, the first fortified palace in the Americas. It is not dedicated to the more famous Christopher Columbus, but to his son Diego, who served as Viceroy of the Indies between 1511 and 1526
• Palacio Nacional, the seat of government. It was designed by Italian architect Guido D'Alessandro and inaugurated in August 1947. This monumental building was commissioned by the former dictator of the Dominican Republic, Rafael Leónidas Trujillo
• Museo de las Casas Reales, the cultural institution that traces the colonial history of the Caribbean country. It housed both the court and the governors' residence. Its various rooms illustrate, among other things, pirate attacks, the history of the sugar industry and paintings from the period.
• Catedral Primada de América, the oldest cathedral on the continent. It was built in the 16th century and is Gothic in style

In the eastern part of the city, just a few minutes from the Colonial Zone, stands the Columbus Lighthouse, a colossal concrete structure that pays homage to the discoverer of the New World. The project was designed by two architects: J. L. Gleave and Teófilo Carbonell. It is vaguely reminiscent of a Mayan pyramid.

• Duration: more than 10 hours
• Price: approximately 100 €
• Recommended for anyone who wants to discover the history of the Dominican Republic.

This route is practically the same as the simple visit to Santo Domingo, but includes the entrance to Los Tres Ojos National Park which is located a few kilometres from the capital.

An air-conditioned bus will pick you up from your hotel in Punta Cana and take you to the Colonial Zone. The name of the first settlement was La Nueva Isabela, but a few years later it was renamed Santo Domingo.

An expert guide will lead you through this pedestrianised area, which has picturesque corners as well as historic buildings, such as the Museo de las Casas Reales and the Alcázar de Colón. After leaving the city behind, the bus will accompany you to Los Tres Ojos, a natural area characterised by three crystal clear cenotes:

• Lago de las Damas, in the past women and children bathed here
• La Nevera, its waters are colder and darker
• Lago Azufre, in the past it was believed that the white rocks were composed of this element

There is actually a fourth eye called Los Zaramagullones. It was discovered later, as it is surrounded by dense vegetation. These four lakes were created by a rock fall thousands of years ago.

If you like nature, I recommend you to read the post about day trips to Saona Island. It is a postcard destination thanks to its white sandy beaches and palm trees that caress the sea. Sailing is done by catamaran and the transfer to the port is usually included.

• Duration: between 10 and 12 hours
• Price: about 100 €
• Recommended for those who want to combine a cultural visit with an activity in nature.

The Dominican Republic is a Caribbean country and therefore the rainy season must be taken into account. To enjoy pleasant temperatures and avoid hurricanes, it is advisable to travel to the island between December and April. Even so, temperatures are pleasant all year round and major storms are unlikely to reach Punta Cana.

If you want to travel to the Caribbean without spending too much, October and November are the best months. There are fewer tourists and hotel prices are more affordable. If you want to go deeper into this topic, I recommend you to read the post about the best time to go to Punta Cana.

Are there hurricanes in the Dominican Republic?

In the Central American country, the hurricane season roughly corresponds to the summer. Normally, August and September are the most affected months. However, there are a few factors to take into account:

• Hurricanes do not hit the Dominican Republic every year
• Hotels are prepared to deal with storms
• Accommodation is much cheaper as it corresponds to the low season
• Minimum temperatures do not usually fall below 24º
• Rainfall is short-lived (less than 10 minutes).

Santo Domingo is not only the capital of the Dominican Republic, but also the first seat of the Spanish Crown in the New World.

The old town retains traces of the island's colonial past, but that's not all. You'll also see more modern buildings such as the Columbus Lighthouse, a tribute to the Genoese navigator.

The Central American country is not very big, but it has a lot to offer, especially in terms of nature. In my opinion, a week is the minimum stay, although 10 days in Punta Cana or two full weeks is ideal.

You'll have plenty of time to go on excursions and enjoy the dreamy beaches of the Dominican Republic.

Most excursions to Santo Domingo include lunch. At midday, your guide will take you to a local restaurant where you will have the opportunity to taste the typical dishes of the Dominican Republic:

• Mofongo, a side dish with African roots. It is a kind of puree made by mashing fried plantains, pork rinds and garlic. It is the perfect accompaniment to meat dishes
• Catibias, fried cassava patties stuffed with cheese or meat. In Santo Domingo, chef Anthony Bourdain highlighted the catibias at Mesón De Bari, in the Colonial Zone (Calle Hostos 302)
• Yaniqueques, the country's most popular street food. This is a crispy fried dish in the shape of a disc. There are sweet and savoury versions that can be found in every corner of the capital. According to the locals, it was born as an imitation of the Johnny Cake, a pancake from Rhode Island, United States
• Pasteles en hoja, the Dominican version of tamales. They are made with a plantain dough filled with meat and wrapped in a banana leaf. Traditionally, they are only found at Christmas
• Sancocho, a hearty soup with root vegetables, pulses, rice, vegetables and meats. In case you are really hungry, I recommend you try the Sancocho 7 carnes with chicken, different cuts of pork, hen, beef, guinea fowl and goat. In the capital of the Dominican Republic, you can eat a more modern version at the restaurant Buche de Perico (Calle El Conde 53)
• Mangú, mashed green plantains with a garnish of red onions. This dish also comes from Africa, specifically the Congo
• Bizcocho Dominicano, a spongy cake with a filling of pineapple, vanilla and orange juice. If you want to take a piece back to your hotel, I recommend going to the Fresco del Horno bakery (Calle Lorenzo Despradel 20).

For a carefree trip, it's best to book a guided tour. You won't have to worry about traffic jams, you'll have an expert guide at your disposal as well as some tickets to the capital's attractions. All this without breaking the bank.

The roads in the Dominican Republic are in good condition (they're fairly new) and the drive from Punta Cana takes about 2.5 hours. However, driving is difficult because of heavy traffic and little respect for the rules of the road.

Can I go to Santo Domingo from Punta Cana on my own?

Yes, if you've booked a car at the airport, you can get to the capital via the Coral Highway and the Eastern Highway. The drive takes about 2.5 hours and there are tolls.

Street parking is free in Santo Domingo, but finding a parking space is difficult. In any case, I recommend leaving your car in a paid car park.

Alternatively, you can take a bus. The company Expreso Bávaro guarantees connections between the two locations. In Punta Cana, vehicles leave from Cruze de Friusa and Cruze de Veron and a one-way trip (no return trip) costs about 400 Dominican pesos (7.5 €).

However, it is not possible to book in advance and if you want to secure your seat, you must be at the station at least 1 hour before the bus departs. It's not very comfortable and that's why most tourists choose an organised tour.

Yes, being an organised tour means you won't have to walk too far and you will see some interesting sights. However, the excursions don't touch the places that the kids might like the most, such as Chinatown, the Trampolín Children's Museum or the Iberoamerica Park.

Do you think this activity would be too boring for them? No problem! Thanks to the good temperatures all year round, there is no shortage of options for outdoor activities with your kids. For more ideas I recommend you read the post about the best things to do in Punta Cana with kids.

Yes, the Dominican Republic is a fairly safe country. In the capital, pickpockets are less frequent than in other Caribbean and South American cities, but some problems persist, such as tourist scams or petty theft in hotels (although the number is decreasing).

Looking for an original gift or souvenir? Here is a list of the most recommended options:

• Muñecas Limé, the symbol of the Dominican Republic. They are colourful dolls with faceless faces and represent the cultural mix of the country. In the capital you can buy them in the Mercado Modelo (Avenida Mella) and in other gift shops in the Colonial Zone
• Coffee, one of the most exported products. It is grown in the northeast of the island and is characterised by its acidic and aromatic flavour. You can find good blends at Casa Barista (Calle Victor Garrido Puello)
• Amber and Larimar, two precious stones extracted from the Dominican Republic's subsoil. You can find them in the shops on Calle El Conde
• Ron, another typical product of the island. The most famous brands are Brugal (founded by a Spaniard who settled in Puerto Plata), Bermúdez (the oldest) and Barceló. If you want to have a good drink before you make up your mind, I recommend you book a table at Sugar Cane - La casa del ron ( Calle Arzobispo Meriño 204)
• Chocolate, a crop present in the country since the 16th century. In Santo Domingo, you can buy bars and treats at Kahkow (Calle Las Damas 102). They also organise guided tours of their farm.

The Caribbean country is not only beaches and sea. The green interior is wonderful and there are also charming cities. Here are some of the best:

• Altos de Chavón, the replica of a 16th century Mediterranean village. Despite its ancient appearance, it was completed in the 1980s! Its landmarks are the Church of San Estanislao, the archaeological museum and the amphitheatre which was inaugurated with a performance by Frank Sinatra. If you like golf, I recommend you check out the impressive green at Dye Fore
• Puerto Plata, the country's first commercial port. It was founded in the 19th century and its old town is a mixture of Victorian and neoclassical buildings. Its landmark is the 16th century Fortaleza de San Felipe. Within walking distance of the town are two popular nature parks: Ocean World and a capuchin monkey sanctuary. If you are interested in the latter, I recommend you read the post about excursions to Monkeyland from Punta Cana
• Santa Bárbara de Samaná, a town known for its quaint little colourful houses. It is located in a splendid bay and houses an interesting museum dedicated to humpback whales. It's open Monday to Friday from 8:30am to 3pm and admission costs around €3 (at the exchange rate). Also worth seeing is La Churcha, a church built by freed slaves
• Barahona, the city of carnival. It is located in the western part of the country, more than 5 hours drive from Punta Cana. However, it is worth the drive to get into the Villa Miriam spa which consists of natural pools formed by a river
• Santiago de los Caballeros, the second largest city in the country. Nearby, tobacco is grown and so a must is La Aurora Cigar World, a tobacco company that organises guided tours - you'll learn all about cigars! Another emblematic point is the Monument to the Heroes of the Restoration, recognisable by its large white tower that reaches 70 metres in height.
• Concepción de La Vega, a town founded by Christopher Columbus. It was destroyed by an earthquake, but you can still see the ruins of the Vega Vieja which include the old Fort Concepción.

It depends on what you want to do. In any case, the Dominican Republic is a tropical country and the humidity is very high. I recommend wearing breathable clothing to alleviate the heat. If you are travelling during the rainy season , a mackintosh is essential.

Of course, a swimming costume is a must, as are flip-flops and a hat to protect you from the sun. If you're planning to do strenuous activities, such as a zip-line experience in Punta Cana, you'll want to pack comfortable sportswear and closed-toe shoes.

In general, I recommend bringing (or buying locally) a good insect repellent. Unfortunately, mosquitoes are a constant presence near the pools although if you travel in the dry season, their numbers will be lower.