Sights, Sounds & Tastes of Santo Domingo
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
From USD 60.00
Office phone number: +1 809 770 8953 & +1 829 2857733
Sights, Sounds & Tastes of Santo Domingo
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
Get to know the real Dominican Republic by spending a day exploring its culturally rich capital and discovering the Santo Domingo that locals love. Soak up the city’s rich colonial history, visit local markets, snack on some of Santo Domingo’s must-try treats, then end the day with an icy-cold Dominican beer.
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Highlights
- Experience the Dominican Republic beyond the beach, through the eyes of a local
- Explore the many hidden corners only known by locals and hear stories of pirates, love, and freedom
- Browse the lively produce market and learn about the diverse fruits and vegetables that are part of the rich Dominican diet
- Learn how Spanish, Arab, Chinese, and Haitian influences have all shaped Santo Domingo
- Try typical Dominican treats and cool down with a cold local beer at a local hotspot favoured by artists, bohemians, and philosophers
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Schedule details
- Duration: 4 hours
- Meeting point:
Plaza Pellerano Castro esquina, Calle Isabel La Católica & Calle Arzobispo Portes, Santo Domingo 10210
View on Google Maps
- Find the exact meeting point with what3words:
- Starting time: 9.00 AM
- Ending point:
Columbus Park at El Conde Street and Arzobispo Meriño Street. From there, your local guide can provide instructions on how to get back to your hotel, or you are free to continue your own personal exploration.
Language: English
Inclusions: Local English-speaking guide, selection of 4 treats at local bakery (may include baked coconut treat, sweet potato pudding, or traditional coconut, pineapple and milk treats), 2 treats at Chinatown shop (such as soft pudding, guava-filled cookies, or soft Chinese bread with pork), 1 bottle of beer. Note that the food samples may vary from tour to tour depending on what is available that day.
Exclusions: Additional food or drink, souvenirs and items of a personal nature, tips/gratuities for your guide.
Leave your beach chair behind for a while and immerse yourself in the sights, sounds, history, and flavours of Santo Domingo, the largest city in the Caribbean and the Dominican Republic’s captivating capital. This is your chance to experience the best Santo Domingo has to offer, alongside a local guide who can take you where the guidebooks can’t.
You’ll start in Santo Domingo’s Colonial Zone, the oldest European settlement in the New World and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Have your cameras ready — there’s history everywhere here and architecture that will leave you speechless. In Billini’s Park, in front of Casa del Tostado, you’ll hear one of the most romantic stories of colonial times.
We’ll see the Caribbean side of the old city, admiring the many historic monuments, parks, and colonial fortresses as we walk, eventually getting to the old city walls that once protected the city from pirates. The walls will lead us to Independence Park, an important landmark commemorating the Dominican Republic’s struggle for independence.
As you walk, you’ll learn about the rich history of Santo Domingo, such as how Spanish and Arab immigrants brought their influence to the island, and how a rich commercial exchange has been established between the Dominican Republic and neighbouring Haiti. Take a walk through Little Haiti and explore the small, picturesque businesses selling Haitian products.
Along the way, you’ll also have the chance to explore local markets. Get ready for sensory overload — the local markets are filled with fruits, vegetables, grains, and spices, and are an explosion of vibrant colours and flavours. Learn about the most varied fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as the spices used in Dominican cuisine.
At the famous Mercado Modelo, the city’s largest market, browse paintings with colourful Caribbean motifs, as well as leatherwork, jewellery made from local stones such as amber and larimar, traditional musical instruments, and many other locally made handicrafts. If you’re getting hungry, our walk takes us to one of the most traditional local cafeterias and bakeries in the city, where you can try much delicious and locally loved Dominican sweets.
Next, we get to one of the most colourful and dynamic areas of the city, the Chinatown of Santo Domingo, a community made up of the children and grandchildren of Chinese citizens who came to the Dominican Republic during the 19th and 20th centuries. Here, we’ll visit a local Chinese store and try some delicious Chinese refreshments that locals love.
We’ll then follow the local pulse of merengue and bachata music to reach Calle El Conde, a bustling pedestrian-only street filled with colourful storefronts and small restaurants where we’ll stop for one final break, in the form of a cold Dominican beer. We end the day at Columbus Park, where you can feel free to further explore the sights, or we can give you tips on which restaurants to visit and even more secret local spots to check out.
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Additional information
Inclusions: Local English-speaking guide, selection of 4 treats at local bakery (may include baked coconut treat, sweet potato pudding, or traditional coconut, pineapple and milk treats), 2 treats at Chinatown shop (such as soft pudding, guava-filled cookies, or soft Chinese bread with pork), 1 bottle of beer. Note that the food samples may vary from tour to tour depending on what is available that day.
Exclusions: Additional food or drink, souvenirs and items of a personal nature, tips/gratuities for your guide.
Dress standard: Comfortable shoes to walk and fresh clothes. Sunglasses or sunscreen would be 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.
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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