Santo Domingo: Full-Day Cultural Tour Through The Oldest European City in The Western Hemisphere
3.0
8 Ratings
Santo Domingo
Immerse yourself in the rich history and culture of Santo Domingo, the oldest European city in the Western Hemisphere. Explore colonial streets, visit historic sites, and discover the city's iconic landmarks on this full-day cultural tour.
Duration: 10 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Zona Colonial - The Colonial City is the oldest neighborhood in Santo Domingo where you can explore the monuments and learn about Dominican culture. The Colonial City was founded back on January 2nd, 1502 as the first permanent European settlement in America by Spanish colonizers. It’s undoubtedly one of the most romantic and lively areas in Santo Domingo. Formerly home to Spanish settlers, who built the walled city as a model for the rest of the Americas, it is an area filled with museums, churches, shops, theaters, restaurants, parks and other attractions making it the perfect location for tourists and locals to enjoy.
What's Included
  • Round trip transport from the airport to your hotel
  • Local guide
  • Lunch
What's Not Included
  • Hotel or lodging from Uvero Alto, Cap Cana and Cabeza de Toro must pay an additional fee of 30$USD
Additional Information

Explore the capital city of the Dominican Republic on this full-day tour of Santo Domingo. Navigate historic colonial streets with your friendly local guide and see some of the oldest sites in the New World in what is considered the oldest European city in the Western Hemisphere. Stroll through the iconic Colonial Zone on foot or upgrade to the full day to see other highlights of the city.
Take a walking tour of the Colonial Zone to see its 16th-century monuments. Learn about the city’s long history from a private guide.
Visit attractions such as the Alcázar de Colón Museum, the National Pantheon and the First Cathedral of America Choose the full-day tour to explore places outside the Colonial Zone, such as the Malecón and the Columbus Lighthouse

Location
Zona Colonial
Ciudad Colonial
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
3.0
(8 Ratings)
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Doug
Feb 3, 2023
Keep Looking - Mediocre at best. Here's what we experienced: So much time waiting for drivers to coordinate schedules (almost 3 hours while we sat in vans or roamed around convenience store parking lots while they enjoyed their beers) Poor English from our English speaking guide. It was very challenging to understand. Lack of communication during the tour (we learned as much by asking what we were looking at or driving by as what little was volunteered). Undue haste to keep us moving along once we arrived in Santo Domingo, created by all the time wasted while they got their collective act together before we left Punta Cana. The wasted time impacted what we were able to visit. Missed Christopher Columbus' lighthouse and Calle El Conde completely, both of which were high on our person interest list. We did appreciate visiting an organic chocolate factory/shop on the way in...but again, that, along with the lost time organizing everything on the Punta Cana beginning, had a negative impact on the overall time in Santo Domingo. This was the one tour we chose for our shorter vacation and found the overall quality of the tour very disappointing.Looking back, we wish we'd stayed that day at the resort.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jacqueline_q
Nov 18, 2022
One Language Only !!! Wasting time translating 4 different languages. - The sceneries were beautiful and educational. Very well informed. However, when I booked this tour I requested an " English " tour guide. Yes he spoke English, but he ALSO had to translate in 4 other languages, therefore we're hearing everything 4 times in addition to spending more time in one location wasting my time.
Review provided by Viator
Dejdammii
Sep 10, 2022
Santo Domingo - First off the driver arrived 40mins late was scheduled to leave at 7am. Then we had to change bus twice so they can have a full bus for the tour, then the tour bus was late to pickup after the visit, so got back to the hotel at 09:45pm.. way too long…But lunch was A plus
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Kurtis_h
Aug 1, 2022
Lackluster tour. - I will give you the positive and negative feedback. The positives: 1. The tour guide was very friendly and knowledgeable. 2. The spots we saw were very beautiful and historical. The negatives: 1. The operator communicated to me twice. In French. Even though it's an English tour. 2 We were told to be in our hotel lobby at 0715. We were there at 0705. No one showed. When I contacted the tour operator, I was told they were there at 0700 and called our name. I contacted the operator and was told there would be someone to pick us up. So we asked a driver if he was going and had my name. Was told no. Then told yes. Another couple staying in our hotel was told the same thing. We were finally picked up at 0815 3. Speaking of time, the other members of our group were told to meet at 0630. We picked them up at 0830 4. The van was old with uncomfortable seats 5. It rained on us. The guide for us umbrellas at one point but we never saw them again. 6. We were taken to a few shops instead of being allowed to wander around for shopping on our own. 7 The tour was advertised as 10 hours but it was closer to twelve hours. 8. It was supposed to be an English speaking tour but it was in Spanish. Luckily the guide did speak English, I know enough Spanish to understand and what I didn't understand, my boyfriend helped me out Others may have had better experiences but this was my experience.
Review provided by Viator
Bjsfamouscoffeecakes
Feb 4, 2023
Unconscionable wait times & poor communication = Awful tour! - This experience could be improved by giving full disclosure of what the tour actually provides. * Communication with those who toured was totally absent. *Had we known that almost 3 hours of our tour time would be spent waiting & waiting & waiting at convenience stores & gas stations on our way to & from Santo Domingo while all the drivers from other tours met up to discuss who knows what???? we would have NEVER scheduled this tour!! *We were assured we would have an English speaking guide. Not True! *We were so eager to see the Christopher Columbus Lighthouse! Did not happen & no explanation! * We wanted to see authentic Dominican arts & crafts along the Calle El Conde. That was skipped too. Instead we were taken to a typical, mostly made in China souvenir shop that had nothing unique or authentic! *The stop at the Chocolate "Factory" & gift store was a positive. *Seeing the 3 Eyes Notional Park was lovely. *The Cathedral of the Americas was awe-inspiring! *I'm sure we "saw" some other significant historical places coming to & returning from Santo Domingo but our driver & guide offered very little explanation. When they did speak their English was very difficult to understand. *If we did not have the excessive wait times at convenience stores & gas stations we would have had the time to see all that we missed & even more in Santo Domingo! *I highly recommend that all visitors to the Dominican Republic visit Santo Domingo but please use a reputable tour company ! *All 12 touring people in our crowded mini-van were extremely upset by how poorly this tour was organized & operated! I would love to return someday and have a "real" tour!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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minimum 2 guests
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up to 15 guests
2 Adult
May 2024
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