Santo Domingo City of Firsts
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
From EUR 42.24
Office phone number: +1 809 770 8953 & +1 829 2857733
Santo Domingo City of Firsts
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Culture shock rating
Worried we’re going to shock your senses? Relax! We believe part of the fun of travel is immersing yourself in the destination and its culture, meeting the people, and learning what makes the place tick. We’ve got a wide range of tours with something for everybody. The cultural shock rating ranks how different the experience is from most Western cultures. But no matter the level, don’t worry, you’ll have a local, in-the-know guide with you every step of the way.
Low
Consider these tours your 101 intro to a place. Transportation might be private or a very comfortable public option, and the activities are usually visits to iconic sites and locations that are familiar to most Western cultures – but that will still give you fantastic insight into a destination.
Medium
Expect to rough it for parts of this tour, whether that’s on a packed public bus or in a local market off the tourist trail. There might be a few language barriers or unfamiliar cultural customs, and you’ll get an experience different from what you're used to at home.
High
You're out there in the global community! We’re going to take you down streets you’d rarely explore on your own, introduce you to local customs and languages, and take you for a ride in whatever transport is available. Get ready to take it as it comes, whatever comes. There might be a shock, but oh man, it’s worth it.
Physical rating
Worried our tours are too tough? Relax! From leisurely strolls to muscle-burning treks, we’ve got a wide range of tours with something for everybody. The physical grading gives you an idea of how much huffing and puffing you can expect on the tour.
Low
Slow and steady is all you need here. These tours have very limited physical activity, such as walking relatively flat streets, sites, or markets, and climbing in and out of the transport provided.
Medium
Not too hard, not too soft, these tours are just right! You can expect a bit of physical activity, but nothing overly challenging – perhaps walking up and down hills, riding a bike for up to 30 kilometers along mostly flat terrain, or jumping in a kayak for a gentle paddle on flat water.
High
Get ready for a workout! These tours are our most challenging and involve intense walking, hiking, kayaking, swimming, or bike riding. You could be making steep climbs by foot or pedal, or working your core in the water. We recommend you have a good level of fitness to join this tour.

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Tour snapshot
If you are visiting Santo Domingo for the first time, this tour is especially for you! Enjoy an action-packed, three-hour introduction to the buzzing capital of the Dominican Republic, the oldest settlement in the Americas. As the modern face of the island with a population of over two million, there is far more to Santo Domingo than its fascinating colonial history. The city's heartbeat is loud and fast, propelled by everything from chaotic traffic and friendly street vendors to the beats of merengue and bachata music.
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Highlights
- Explore the colourful history and spectacular views of Santo Domingo with a local guide by your side
- Take a walk around the UNESCO-listed Zona Colonial, where you’ll see many of the city’s most remarkable landmarks
- Admire the first cathedral, castle, university and monastery in the New World
- Stroll through local neighborhoods and discover lovely cafes, local bakeries art galleries and local artisans
- Enjoy a refreshing local beer with historic views
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Schedule details
- Duration: 3 hours
- Meeting point:
Plaza Pellerano Castro esquina, Calle Isabel La Católica & Calle Arzobispo Portes, Santo Domingo 10210
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- Find the exact meeting point with what3words:
- Starting time: 9.00 AM
- Ending point: Parque Colon (Columbus Park).
View on Google Maps.
Language: English
Inclusions: Local English-speaking guide, bottle of beer or water.
Exclusions: Additional food or drinks, transportation to and from the meeting/end points, souvenirs and personal shopping, items of a personal nature and tips/gratuities for your guide.
Prepare to discover a different side to the Caribbean as we take you on a whistle stop tour of Santo Domingo’s many historic and cultural highlights.
Your local guide will explain about the city’s history, nature and vibrant culture. Together we will marvel at the many ‘first’ buildings that are scattered across Santo Domingo; the first convent in the Americas, the first hospital, the first restaurant and so on.
We’ll walk through hidden alleys and stop for a freshly brewed coffee and we’ll head to El Conde Street to meet some local artisans.
Then we’ll check out the neighborhood of San Miguel and meet some of the friendly locals that live here. We’ll taste delicious traditional Dominican treats at an old bakery and then we’ll savour a frozen beer surrounded by the stunning ruins of an old monastery.
Our last cultural stop will be at the stunning renaissance-style National Pantheon. Our tour will finish with a walk along the Calle El Conde and a stop at Columbus Park. Here we will leave you to explore the rest of our buzzing city.
Don’t forget to ask your local guide for restaurant tips and a few more sightseeing recommendations, there is always plenty to eat, see and drink on our gorgeous island!
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Additional information
Inclusions: Local English-speaking guide, bottle of beer or water.
Exclusions: Additional food or drinks, transportation to and from the meeting/end points, souvenirs and personal shopping, items of a personal nature and tips/gratuities for your guide.
Dress standard: Comfortable shoes. Sunglasses and sunscreen is also advisable.
Your Trip: For your Urban Adventure you will be in a small group of a maximum of 12 people.
Confirmation of booking: If you have your voucher, your booking is confirmed. We'll see you at the start point. Get in touch if you have any concerns or require more information via the email address or phone number (business hours only) on your voucher.
Additional Information:
Closure of sites: Note that sometimes the sites we visit on this tour may be very crowded, which can affecting the timing of the tour. Should anything be too busy for our schedule, we may have to skip some stops, and will adjust the rest of the tour to make up for the change.
Child Policy: Children between the ages of 6 and 11 inclusively are permitted on this tour at the rate listed above. Please select ‘child’ above when booking. Children below the age of 6 are not permitted on this tour.
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Local contact
Office phone number: +1 809 770 8953 & +1 829 2857733
Email address: info@santodomingourbanadventures.com
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