Flights To Santo Domingo (SDQ)

Catedral Primada de América (First Cathedral in the Americas)

This impressive basilica, set on the south side of Parque Colón, was completed in 1540 and was the first cathedral built in the Americas. This is not a ruin but a functioning place of worship that still maintains many of the original features from the 16th century.

Museo de las Casas Reales (Museum of the Royal Houses)

Built in the first half of the 16th century, this impressive structure was originally constructed on orders from Spain and designed to house the most important government offices of the New World. In the 1970s, it was turned into a museum to showcase the history and culture of the region.

Panteón Nacional (National Pantheon of the Dominican Republic)

Originally constructed as a church in the first half of the 18th century, the building was converted to the national mausoleum in 1956 under the orders of dictator Rafael Trujillo to honor the country's most important people. In a twist he would not have envisioned, the building now houses, among others, the remains of the men who assassinated him

Plaza España

Plaza España is a very large and open square on the edge of the Zona Colonial, near the Rio Ozama. Frequently the site of events and public gatherings, this is not an intimate square where you would go to sit on a bench and sip a coffee under a tree. However, on the edge of the park are a number of restaurants with outdoor dining. Tour guides often hang out in the vicinity of the cafés and approach visitors to entice them into joining a walking tour.

Chu Chu Colonial Sightseeing Trolley

The Chu Chu Colonial is a small, open-air sightseeing train that runs through Santo Domingo's Zona Colonial. While the area is quite small and easily walkable, on hot days the Chu Chu is a tempting option. The tour lasts about 45 minutes and lets you see the sights from the relative comfort of a shade-covered bench as it pulls you along cobbled streets and past the city's most famous sites. Keep an eye out for places you might want to visit after the tour. The tour starts from the east side of Parque Colón.

Monasterio de San Francisco

The ruins of Monasterio de San Francisco are one of the most important historical sites in the Dominican Republic. The first monastery to be built in the New World, it stands as a symbol of the trials and tribulations that have inflicted this city throughout the centuries.

Parque Independencia

At the far west end of Calle El Conde, Parque Independencia commemorates Dominican Independence. Entering through the huge Puerta del Conde, the square is lined with busts that lead to the Altar de la Patria (Altar of the Nation), a mausoleum where the founders of the Dominican Republic are laid to rest

Amber World Museum

The Amber World Museum is an incredible place to see fine examples of amber and learn about this fossilized resin. Even if you have no interest in visiting museums, the visually striking displays here are worth a look. For a very small admission fee, a knowledgeable English-speaking guide will lead you through the museum, walking you through the exhibits, which explain how amber is formed, mined, and used.

Convento de Los Dominicos

While the Catedral Primada de Américas gets all the attention as the first cathedral in the New World, the Convento de Los Dominico pre-dates the cathedral and is known as one of the oldest buildings in the Americas. Begun around 1510 and put into use in various stages until it was finally completed in 1531-32, the convent later went on to become a teaching institution and eventually became the start of what is today the University of Santo Domingo.