Santo Domingo de Guzmán
The oldest and continuously inhabited European settlement in the Americas and the first seat of Spanish colonial rule in the New World is now the largest city in the Caribbean population. The metropolitan city of the Dominican Republic and a UNESCO heritage site, Santo Domingo is a mixture of ancient fortresses with modern happenings. The city is full of hidden gems and wonderful surprises.
Places to Sleep
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Tierraplana Cool Hostal: A chic, six-room accommodation located next to the ruins of San Francisco. Starting at $32/night ​
Calle Hostos, 357
Email: tierraplanacoolhostal@hotmail.com
​Tel: 809-686-0120
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Hotel Independencia: This hotel is probably the cheapest accommodation you will find in SD. It is located on the side of Parque Independencia and is just 3 minutes away from Calle El Conde. It is a super budget hotel but the staff are nice and accommodating. Surprisingly, they have a fridge, a computer with internet and a washing machine that can be used by the customers. 450 pesos/ $11.45/night​
Because the hotel has a small entrance, it can be difficult to find.
Esquina Arzobospo Novel y Estrella opposite Parque Independencia
Tel: 809-686-1663
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​Condominium Parque: Located in the center of Zona Colonial, this small hostel is one of the more affordable stays in SD including free buffet breakfast and air conditioning. Backpacker dorms, $20/night​
Calle Palo Hincado 165, Zona Colonial​
Email: walter@condo-parque.com
Tel: 809-333-6713
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Plaza Toledo Bettyes Guesthouse: A backpacker's haven, located in the middle of Zona Colonial for an affordable price. Bettye has a six-bed dorm and a private room. Both dorms and private starting at $25/night​
Calle Isabela Catolic 163
Email: bettymarshall@hotmail.com
Tel: 809-688-7649
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Hostal Dominico Mundial: A simple hostel, located in la Zona Colonial, providing the essentials such as a bed, free Wi-Fi, fridge, fan, linens, towel and free coffee in the morning. Economic room: $28/night​
C/Duarte No.6 Cuidad Colonial
Email: luis@hostaldominicomundial.com
Tel: 809-682-6197
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Hostal Nomadas: A lovely, colorful and cozy hostel, located 4 minutes from Parque Colon, among all the architectural beauty of Santo Domingo. Includes free Wi-Fi, hot water, air conditioner, and breakfast! Individual twin: $28/night​​

Calle Hostos 299, Zona Colonial
Email: info@hostalnomadas.com
Tel: 809-689-0057
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Hotel Monumental: Located in the middle of Calle El Conde, it is a convenient walk to all the historical sites and tiendas. It is a new hotel, clean and well kept. Rooms have air conditioning, television with cable, free Wi-Fi and hot and cold water. $29.99/night
Calle El Conde #355, Zona Colonial
Email: reservas@hotelmonumental.com.do
Tel: 809-682-4747
Things to do

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Go vintage shopping: I was pleasantly surprised when I found valuable, vintage items in Santo Domingo. It is a matter of keeping your eyes open!​
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Shop at Calle El Conde: This paseo has many, many shops. It starts across the street from Parque Independencia and ends a block or so before Plaza España.​
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Drink coffee at La Cafetera Colonial: They have some very strong coffee, which is rare because coffee from the DR is light. It's a little pricey but well worth it. ​El Conde btwn 19 de Marzo & Duarte​, Zona Colonial​
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Get covered with pigeons in Parque Colon: It is common to feed the pigeons at this park but even more common to have them on top of you for a picture. A little creepy.​
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​Have a margarita at Zona Taco: A small, dimly-lit, cozy restaurant to drink margaritas and eat Mexican food.​ Zona Colonial
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Explore El Barrio Chino: It is a small area but there are many shops with Chinese exports for super cheap. It felt like I left DR and transported to Chinatown San Francisco or New York.​ Avenida Duarte esquina Mexico​
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Get lost in the maze of Mercado Modelo: A place to truly get enveloped in all the buying madness, selling everything from cigars to vanilla extract. Many of the small shops have the same things so make sure to shop around for prices before buying anything.​ Mella Ave between Santomé and Montey Tejada
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​Eat at Falafel: Yes, this restaurant is a unique eatery in SD by serving falafels but there is another reason to come here: for the building! It is an old, two-floor fortress full of plants and flowers. The whole place is open-ceiling allowing Mamá nature to determine everything.​ Calle Padre Billini 352, esq. Sanchez, Zona Colonial
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Visit all the historical sites in La Zona Colonial: SD is a UNESCO hertiage site! There are so many museums and ruins here. It's like an OD of Dominican history.​
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Feel the breeze at El Malecon: While la Zona Colonial is splendid, it could be a repetition of the same thing so one day I decided to walk away from the centralized area of museums. I ended up in El Malecon, sat on one of the benches, felt the ocean breeze and watched lovers love each other. ​Avenida George Washington​​
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Go to Caribbean Cinemas on Tuesdays or Wednesdays: To just take a break from all the running around, go to the movies on a Tuesday or Wednesday afternoon for just 50 pesos! Popcorn and soda are also cheap. Try to catch an earlier show; after 5pm it gets very crowded! Note: Dominican and 3D movies are at regular prices in there first two weeks. Avenida George Washington 457, Gazcue​
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Visit Los Tres Ojos park: There is no excuse not to come here!​ These three, 50-foot open-air limestone caves are astonishing. It is located in the east of Santo Domingo in Parque Mirador del Este. Admission: 50 pesos, Open 9am-5pm​ Avenida Las Americas​
Nightlife
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Drink wine and play board games at La Alpargateria: When my friend introduced me to this place, I fell in love. What is better than drinking wine while playing your favorite childhood board games like Monopoly. There is also an outside patio.​ Calle Salomé Ureña 59, Zona Colonial
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Salsa night Tuesdays at El Canario Patio Lounge: This lounge is a rare gem in Santo Domingo. It is classy with a combination of chic and fun. Go there on Tuesdays to learn salsa, drink, eat and socialize. Note: Mention this website and recieve special treatment! Calle Atarzana 1, Zona Colonial
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Live performances at Casa Teatro: There is always something going on at Casa Teatro. Whether its live music performances or poetry readings. One of my German friends said he went one time to the "secret room" and spent the night talking with Cuban intellectuals. Oh my dream!!​ Calle Arzobispo Meriño 11, Zona Colonial
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Bar Parada 77: A grungy, two-room bar and club with a Bohemian crowd known for its live Perico Ripao on the weekends. It couldn't get more millenial then this! Calle Isabela la Católica, 255, Zona Colonial
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Go to a concert: When I was in SD, Juan Luis Guerra and Calle 13 performed for inexpensive prices. Go to Uepa.com to check out future live events.
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Drink German beer and eat sausages at Instituto Dominico-Aleman: This is truly one of my favorite spots in SD. As you walk in the dimly lit place, water is flowing in a fountain in the middle of the fortress. Walk up a few steps to the room on the left, where a bar is serving German beer. OR go to the right and sit on the benches to chat and make new friends while listening to and singing along with young Dominican guitarists who play there occasionally. Get there early to eat some delicious German sausages.​ Calle Isabela la Católica 212, Zona Colonial​
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Merengue Club: Two courtyards, 3 dance rooms, 3 bars club! Dance Merengue, Bachata, Salsa and other classic Latin music at this very authenic Dominican cocktail lounge and restaurant. Calle Hostos 156, 2 blocks from Calle El Conde btwn Bellini & Nouel
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Live music every Sunday at the Ruinas de San Francisco: There are no rest days in the DR! Dance merengue all night until your feet fall off at Grupo Bonyé's outside dance parties at the foot of the Ruins of San Francisco. Calle Juan Isidro Pérez, Zona Colonial
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​Gamble at one of the casinos: On m​y last night in SD, my Dominican friends took me to Pure Nightclub. Inside the hotel we passed many people gambling. It took me back to Las Vegas. Why not test your luck? If it's not that good, then dance it up at Pure.​ Avenida Abraham Lincoln​
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Pass by (or experience) the City of Lights: A warehouse/storage-looking oasis for lovers surrounded by bright lights. ​
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Club hop on Avenida Venezuela: This is where the true Dominican atmosphere of Santo Domingo is! The avenue is a strip of clubs and bars. This is no tourist stop. Come well dressed but not too overdressed to avoid standing out. It would be best to come with a local.​
NOTE: Libélula, Kalimocho, and Discoteca Amazonia have closed.