Historical Tour: Cultural Santo Domingo

Embark on a half-day tour of historical Santo Domingo, exploring caves, colonial architecture, and iconic landmarks. Discover the caves of the three eyes, visit the Columbus Lighthouse, presidential palace, and the colonial zone. Enjoy a delicious Dominican lunch and browse local product stores.

Duration: 5 hours, 30 minutes
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • The 3 Eyes National Park - In this national park, you’ll discover one of the city’s best-kept natural secrets: its four lakes:
  1. Sulfur Lake: The first lake visible upon entry, named for the whitish substance at its bottom, which was once thought to be sulfur.

  2. Ladies’ Lake: Named because it was once a spa reserved for women due to its discreet location and shallow depth. It reaches a maximum depth of 2.5 meters.

  3. La Nevera: Named for its low temperatures, as it never receives sunlight. Its temperature ranges between 15°C and 21°C.

  4. Los Zaramagullones: The fourth lake, named after a species of native amphibious ducks. It is surrounded by impressive natural vegetation.

  • Columbus Lighthouse (Faro A Colon) - Faro A Colon is a cross-shaped monument commemorating the Christianization of the Americas, measuring approximately 800 meters long and 36.5 meters high. Although it was believed to house the remains of Admiral Christopher Columbus, genetic studies have confirmed that his remains are in the Cathedral of Seville.

When the lighthouse is lit, it projects a cross-shaped light into the night sky, visible from about 64 kilometers away. However, this powerful lighting can cause problems with the electricity supply in nearby neighborhoods, so the lighthouse is only turned on on special occasions.

  • Panteon Nacional - The National Pantheon is a mausoleum where the remains of prominent figures in the history of the Dominican Republic are preserved. The National Pantheon has around 36 empty spaces to house future heroes. There is also an empty space without a plaque, dedicated to the unknown soldier. There is a permanent honor guard, made up of members of the presidential guard, dressed in gala attire, without moving a single muscle. One of them makes a solemn round in the central corridor, which goes from the main entrance to the front of the High Altar. In it, along with the Dominican flag, the flags of the Air Force, the Navy and the Army of the Dominican Republic are displayed.
  • Museo De Las Casas Reales - The Museum of the Royal Houses or Royal Palaces, as it was called during the time of the captaincy general and the province, had two palaces as its headquarters, which date back to the 16th century. This royal palace was built by order of the Crown of Castile, during the reign of Ferdinand II of Aragon, on October 5, 1511, with the purpose of housing the main government offices of the time. This was called the Building of the Royal Houses, since it housed the Royal Audience, which was the first court in the New World, and was also used as the Residence of the Governors and Captains General of the time. This building served as a home for people such as Bartholomew Columbus, Louis Ferrand, among others. Important meetings or parties composed of the main figures of society of the time were held in the halls of the Royal Audience.
  • Parque Colon - The Parque Colón, the main place or square for recreation in the Colonial City, is surrounded by important monuments such as the Catedral Primada de America, the first City Hall of Santo Domingo, and La Calle el Conde, known for its famous restaurants.
    In the park there is a statue of Christopher Columbus erected by the French sculptor Ernesto Gilbert in 1887.
  • Museo de la Gastronomía Dominicana (Mugado) - Here we will have a break to enjoy an authentic Dominican lunch! Enjoy a varied buffet full of the traditional flavors of the Dominican Republic. A culinary experience that will take you straight to the heart of the Caribbean!
  • Calle Las Damas - Las Damas Street was the first street in Santo Domingo, the Dominican Republic and America.

Located in the Colonial City, it owes its name to the fact that at the beginning of the colonial period, ladies used to walk along this street, which is currently decorated with colonial tiles. This street’s attractions include Fortaleza Ozama, La Real Audiencia, the house of Don Rodrigo de Bastidas, the “Trampolín” children’s museum, colonial houses (some with colonial shields) and at the end, Plaza España.

Distinguished families of the colony built their houses on this street, including the Oviedo, Dávila, Heredia, Campuzano Polanco, Infante and Coca families.

What's Included
  • Lunch
What's Not Included
  • Alcoholic Beverages
Additional Information

We begin with a meeting at the starting point coordinated with our operator until we reach the 1st point: Las Cuevas de los Tres Ojos, where you will explore its underground wonders with an expert guide. We will have a stop at the Gran Faro a Colón to take incredible photos, inaugurated by Pope John Paul II and we will visit the great Presidential Palace and other emblematic points of the Dominican Republic. We will continue the tour in the historic Colonial Zone, admiring the Alcázar de Colón, the majestic National Pantheon, and the Catedral Primada de América. We will continue with the Convent of the Dominicans, walk along Calle Las Damas and explore the Amber Museum. After immersing yourself in history, we will pause to enjoy an authentic Dominican lunch in a place full of history and local tradition, where you will learn more about the culture of the area. We will conclude our day at the local crafts and take you back to your hotel.

Location
The 3 Eyes National Park
Avenida Las Americas, Parque Nacional del Este
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
3.9
(46 Ratings)
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1 star
Jesus_i
Aug 21, 2024
Thank You - Had a great time! The tour allows you to see a little bit of everything and learn more about the area, the history, the culture. Our guide was Miguel/Mike. The caves were great but prepare for some heat and steps. There was some down time in between attractions for some shopping etc so we used that time to bar hop. The place for lunch was nice and had AC.
Review provided by Viator
Mvmasa
Jul 15, 2024
2 Central Americans by Santo Domingo - Excellent tour, exceeded our expectations and despite the remodeling of the Colonial Area was excellent the way Miguel attended us. More than recommended
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Rajdip_b
Jun 29, 2024
Excellent - Liked the way the tour was organized and executed. The tour guide Johny was very knowledgeable and easily approachable. He even arranged umbrellas for everybody when it started raining suddenly.
Review provided by Viator
Vero
Jun 25, 2024
Holy MAGIC Sunday. - Loved it! The staff was always very friendly, punctual in pickup and fulfilling the itinerary, they had guides in Spanish and English, the places we visited all spectacular, you have the ideal time to enjoy each stop, definitely a mandatory excursion in Dominican Republic.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Karnoashadi_s
Jun 18, 2024
The tour guide was good.... - The tour guide was good. The place and restaurant also good arrangement. It is good city and country.
Review provided by Viator
Shawn_j
Jul 4, 2024
Fransisco had great... - Fransisco had great energy and made the experience memorable. The 3-eyes cave visit was great. The tour of the city was good and would have been better without as many visits to the shops in hopes of us buying something.
Review provided by Viator
Lopezalisil
May 3, 2024
Tour with partner - Punctual departure, the driver Artemio is pleasant with good conversation and explains the life of Santo Domingo very well. Tito was our guide and he gives a very good explanation and answers everything that is asked very adequately. We leave happy. The only thing missing was water during the tour to hydrate
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jose
Aug 17, 2024
Do not waste your money!!! - If you are going to take this tour, make sure of the time because otherwise you will have to wait 30 minutes in the heat waiting for the group coming from Punta Cana. The guide focused more on talking to women(they weren't even part of the tour) than explaining. In addition, you don't stop for a long time in the indicated places, they don't even stop at the Colón lighthouse, they make you take the picture from the minibus. So if they really care and take the time it's that you buy in the gifts shop, the food is really bad. I don't recommend that you pay $89 dollars if you're not even going to enjoy it.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Marguerite_p
Aug 19, 2024
Horrible and Unsafe Experience - The tour bus failed to pick me up at the designated spot and time. Then proceeded to continuously lie to me and insist that I was not at the appointed spot. I was waiting at the front of the JWMarriot at 9:50a.m. (the scheduled time was 10 am). The doorman witnessed my presence. The tour bus simply NEVER arrived. I still missed a great deal of the tour, after the hotel receptionist helped me and insisted that Viator send an Uber for me. More insults awaited me when the tour guide repeatedly accused me of not being at the pick up spot, and tried to leave me on my own to call my own taxi at the end of the trip. I had to become very insistent and unpleasant before the guide agreed to call an uber for me. I felt unsafe and was repeatedly verbally assaulted during this event. It was a horrible experience. I had specifically been clear when making the reservation that I was a woman traveling alone and needed to me picked up and dropped of at my hotel in order to feel safe. Viator FAILED on all counts. I believe that I should be given a full refund, and even that would not make up for ruining my one free day to visit Santo Domingo. I have never been treated so disrespectfully by a company I had paid to take care of me.
Review provided by Viator
Shawn_d
Jul 8, 2024
Ruined my day - I was never picked up for my excursion and I'm waiting for my refund. Terrible ruined my whole day. I will never book here again.
Review provided by Viator
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up to 15 guests
1 Adult
September 2024
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