Colonial Zone Santo Domingo

Below you will see the museums you can't miss due to their historical importance. 

Start on Calle Las Damas, the first street in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic,  and in America. It's named this way because in the early days of the colony, ladies used to stroll along this street.

Fortaleza Ozama

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Built in 1502, Fortaleza Ozama is the oldest fortress in the Americas. Its tower was used to watch the arrival of Caribbean pirates. It also served as a prison in the 1960s and is now a museum with a beautiful garden where you can overlook the port of Santo Domingo and the mouth of the Ozama River, one of the most important rivers in the Dominican Republic. Fortaleza Ozama is located on Calle Las Damas and is open every day except Mondays, from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. The entrance fee is RD$70.00 (approximately USD$1.23).

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Catedral Primada de América de Santo Domingo

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Located in the heart of the Colonial Zone, it is one of the most tourist attractions and holds a lot of history. It is the first Catholic church in all the Americas. It is in Parque Colon, just behind the large statue of the colonizer. The cathedral is open from Monday to Saturday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. The entrance fee is RD$50.00 (approximately USD$0.88).

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Pantheon of the Fatherland

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Here, you will find the remains of important figures in Dominican history. It is in Calle Las Damas, open from Tuesday to Sunday, from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, and admission is free.

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Museum of the Royal Houses

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Built in 1505 to serve as the home of the governor of the royal court and as the office of the court of justice. Today, this museum houses a collection of weapons, maps, and other items dating back to colonial times. The exhibits cover the Taino culture, slavery, the rum, cocoa, sugar cane, and tobacco industries. You can also find a representation of what the court of justice was like. The Museum of Casas Reales is located on Calle Las Damas, open from Tuesday to Sunday, from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, and has an entrance fee of RD$100.00 (approximately USD$1.75).

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Alcázar de Colón

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It is the first fortified palace in the New World. It was the vice regal palace of Don Diego Colón. This museum consists of 22 rooms out of the original fifty-five, where you can see decorations from different rooms and chambers with elements from the 14th, 15th, and 16th centuries. It is in Plaza España, at the end of Calle Las Damas, and is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. The entrance fee is RD$100.00 (approximately USD$1.75).

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Grupo Bonyé

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If you visit the Colonial Zone on a Sunday, don't miss the Ruins of San Francisco, the first monastery in the New World. Here, in the evening, locals gather to enjoy the music of Grupo Bonyé from around 5:00 pm until approximately 10:00 pm. This band, highly appreciated by the locals, plays various types of music, including son, jazz, bachata, merengue, and more.

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Places to eat & drink

The Colonial Zone is full of restaurants and bars, offering both traditional and international cuisine. Take your time and enjoy one of these options, which are my favorites among the many choices available.

CURCIO PIZZA AL TAGLIO

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If you want a quick bite, this restaurant is the place. A small Italian restaurant specializing in Roman pizza al taglio. In the short time it has been open, it has become a sensation for the quality of its pizzas and service.

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Pat'e Palo European Brasserie

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One of the oldest restaurants in the area, with a beautiful view of the Alcázar de Colón and the rest of the Plaza España. A historic restaurant dating back to the time of the English pirate Francis Drake. According to history, this tavern belonged to the Dutch pirate Johannes Frederikzoon, also known as Captain Pat 'e Palo, who decided to leave the sea life to settle there. In this restaurant, you can enjoy prime cuts of meat, an excellent ambiance, and service. It is a bit expensive, but for the food and attention, it is worth it.

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Buche Perico

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A restaurant that serves both typical and international cuisine. It is the first greenhouse restaurant in the Caribbean. Both its dishes and ambiance are excellent, as is the service.

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Bar y Restaurante América

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In this restaurant, you can find a wide variety of Spanish cuisine dishes. The portions are generous, as is the service.

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Jalao

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It is a very picturesque Dominican food restaurant. All its decoration is in line with the culture of Dominican towns, just like its dishes. They are located on El Conde Street, right opposite the Cathedral, and they are open from Tuesday to Thursday from 6:00 pm to 2:00 am and from Friday to Sunday from 12:00 pm to 2:00 am. From Thursday to Saturday, the restaurant has an entry fee starting at 7:00 pm of RD$200.00 (approximately USD$3.51) because it has live music band performances.

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Mesón de Bari

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It is named after its location, just one block from the ruins of the first hospital, San Nicolás de Bari. This picturesque restaurant has received visits from renowned figures in the international entertainment industry, such as Robert De Niro, Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt, Oscar de la Renta, among many others. Its cozy atmosphere, service, and exquisite dishes have made this restaurant one of the favorites in the colonial area, and it has been open since 1959.

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Casa Barista & Co.

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Excellent place for breakfast and brunch, with a wide range of coffees. If you're a coffee enthusiast, I recommend this place. The space has a very avant-garde decoration and is excellent for taking a break from the long walks you can take in the colonial area.

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Republica Brewing Draft Room

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If you enjoy craft beers, look no further, this is the place. Enjoy locally brewed beers along with a relaxed atmosphere filled with music and fun.

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I wish you a memorable experience during your stay in Santo Domingo. May you enjoy all the beauty, culture, and hospitality it has to offer.

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