8 Tours In Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

santo domingo dominican republic tours
Alex
Alex 
Updated
| 4 min read

Santo Domingo is the largest city in the Dominican Republic both in size and population. It is also the biggest metropolitan city in the Caribbean. The city is old and shares a long history with a colonial past. Founded in 1496 the city is the oldest continuously populated European settlement in the Americas. Since the city is so old it shares many “firsts” of the new world such as the first university, cathedral, castle and monastery, among some others. With all this history packed into the city, it’s no wonder why the city’s Colonial Zone has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Santo Domingo is a bustling metropolis with tons of culture and history, so if you’re in town don’t miss out on some great tours to really see the sights.

1. Chocolate Tour (from USD 130.0)

santo domingo dominican republic tours | chocolate tour

Who doesn’t like chocolate? Chocolate was discovered in the new world and now you can see how chocolate gets made. Expert guides will bring you on the journey of the process of how chocolate goes from cocoa bean to delicious treat. Along the way guests can have some hot cocoa, lunch and even make their own chocolate bar.

Chocolate Tour

Price: from 167 USD

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Santo Domingo: Chocolate and Cigar Discovery Tour

Duration: 10 hour

2. Santo Domingo Trikke City Tour (from USD 46.0)

Sure there are a lot of city tours to choose from, but how many have Trikkes? A Trikke’s a three wheeled electrical scooter where you can zip through the city streets and marvel at the wonders of old Santo Domingo and the new modern city life. Before you hop on, guests will watch a movie outlining the history of Santo Domingo and the island’s colonial past. Then see all the sights on your Trikke. Safety equipment included.

Santo Domingo Trikke City Tour

Price: from 45 USD

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Santo Domingo Trikke City Tour

Duration: 90 to 120 minutes

38 reviews

3. City Sightseeing Tour (from USD 82.0)

Santo Domingo is a historically rich city with tons to see and tons of colonial ruins and buildings. See the new and the old with the City Sightseeing Tour. From the 16th-century colonial buildings to the shopping districts as well as the Columbus Lighthouse and 3 Eyes national park. The tour offers a juxtaposition of the old and the new, giving tourists a sense of the Dominican Republic’s rich colonial heritage and the new prosperous city life. Enjoy a walk along the water front look out at the boats and ocean after a day of sightseeing and shopping. After a day in the city, explore the natural wonders of 3 Eyes Park and get back to nature.

City Sightseeing Tour

Price: from 52 USD

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Punta Cana Day Trip: Santo Domingo Sightseeing Tour

Duration: 10 hours

10 reviews

4. Historical Island and Shopping Tour (from USD 45.0)

Get the local history from a local guide. A Dominican guide from the city will give tourists charming tours of historical Santo Domingo. The tour gives guests comprehensive information about the first European settlement of the Americas. Take in the sights of the old town and put yourself in the shoes of 16th-century Santo Domingo. Highlights include the first convent, the Convento de la Orden de los Predicadores established in 1510. The local priest recorded the atrocities committed by the Spanish settlers and it is an important monument to the history of the island. The tour includes walking around the Cultural Square and Dominican Man Museum.

Historical Island and Shopping Tour

Price: from 100 USD

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Santo Domingo 4-Hour Shopping Tour with Rum Distillery Visit

Duration: 4 hours

1 review

5. Hour Shopping Tour (From 52 USD)

TextileStallSantoDomingoSanCris
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user AlejandroLinaresG... used under CC BY-SA 4.0

Shop till you drop! Explore the popular modern malls and small souvenir shops. Explore the shopping district as you walk through the old town and marvel at the beautiful architecture. Highlights of the tour also include a stop at the amber museum where you’ll be able to purchase authentic amber jewelry. There’s also a stop at a tobacco factory where guests can watch cigars get rolled and maybe even purchase a few.

3 Hour Shopping Tour

Price: from 52 USD

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6. Cigar Factory (from 166 USD)

Dannamann Cigar Factory
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user AlmostBrazilian used under CC BY-SA 4.0

One of the world’s largest tobacco factories offers a behind the scenes visit at its facilities. See how cigars go from tobacco plant to hand rolled cigar. Learn how cigars get packed, rolled and then shipped worldwide! Also look into how famous brands are all made and even purchase a few yourself.

Cigar Factory

Price: from 166 USD

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7. Santo Domingo 3 Eyes Park and Columbus Lighthouse Tour

Aquarium du Quebec - 2006-06 - grand ocean
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Boréal used under CC BY-SA 3.0

3 Eyes national park is a beautiful green space near the city of Santo Domingo. The 3 Eyes Park is a natural wonder of the world with limestone caves and natural lake formations. This is truly a great tour for people who want to get out of the city and explore some wonders of the natural world.

The caves and lakes are essentially a natural zoo with tons of different species of animals who call the caves and lakes home. There’s tons of fish, bats and turtles to observe as well as gigantic plants and flowers. A short boat ride will take tourists across a second lake to marvel at the views as well as visit the Columbus Lighthouse. Finally, the tour concludes at the national aquarium where guests can look at over 250 species of exotic fish.

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8. Sanoa Island Excursion

Culebra - Playa de Flamenco
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user https://www.flick... used under CC BY 2.0

A few miles off the coast is a picturesque little island called Sanoa. This tour is the one for people who want to relax on the beach, sip a fruity cocktail and enjoy the sounds, sights and smells of tropical nature. The waters are crystal clear and perfect for an afternoon of snorkeling among the tropical schools or fish and fauna. A boat ride will bring you to the island and stop halfway for passengers to enjoy a quick dip in the sparkling water. Afterwards guests can enjoy a buffet of fresh delicacies and drinks once they’re on the island. Then guests can either explore the local nature preserve or relax on a chaise longue by the beach and enjoy the tranquil sounds of the ocean.

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An old city with new charm

Santo Domingo Aztacameca (1)
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Marrovi used under CC BY-SA 4.0

Santo Domingo’s history goes a long way but the modern is certainly prevalent within the city as well. Make sure to explore every part of what makes the city a marvel for the old and the new.

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Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
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Alex is a Canadian university graduate with degrees in English literature and History. He was born in Montreal and when he's not traveling he enjoys movies, video games, playing the drums and...Read more

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