Punta Cana. Puerto Plata. Cabarete. Even Miches. All popular destinations in the Dominican Republic in recent years, from the all-inclusive resorts of Punta Cana to the kitesurfing and cafes in Cabarete. What wasn’t on that list? Santo Domingo. But the Dominican Republic’s capital is becoming an increasingly popular place to visit. It’s becoming hip.
I’ve always loved Santo Domingo, from the first time I visited and walked the old streets of the Colonial Zone, and that feeling hasn’t changed.
It’s a vibrant place, it’s a modern place, and it’s one of the most fascinating cities in the Caribbean. That’s only deepened in the last few years, with exciting new hotels across the city, a movement that began with the JW Marriott (and its stunning rooftop pool) more than a decade ago.
The Hip Factor
The center of all this activity? The five-hundred-year-old Colonial Zone, where art galleries, coffee shops and cool bars marry with buildings that date all the way back to the Columbus family. That includes the newest place to stay in the historic quarter, the Kimpton Las Mercedes, which exemplifies the urban area’s new brand of cool.
Santo Domingo is also, importantly, getting easier than ever to visit. And now that includes another new flight: American Airlines’ soon-to-debut route from Philadelphia. Beginning this winter, AA will be running daily service between the city of Brotherly Love and Santo Domingo. The new service officially starts Dec. 18, Caribbean Journal has learned.
What to Do on Your Santo Domingo Trip
So how do you “do” Santo Domingo? I’d suggest staying in the Colonial Zone, as it’s the most tourist friendly, exceptionally walkable and filled with attractions like the Alcázar de Colón, which was the first-ever European palace in the New World and was actually the home of Christopher Columbus’ son, Diego — and the very cool rooftop SugarCane rum experience by La Casa del Ron.
Then you can venture out to other parts of the city, including the excellent Blue Mall. The latter is where the JW Marriott is, and even if you’re not staying there, you should go have a cocktail at the hotel’s rooftop bar, which has a see-through bar that reaches out over the city’s Winston Churchill Avenue. Just make sure you’re not afraid of heights — it’s quite the vertical view.
This is a city for cultural exploration, for merengue, for rum, for culture. It’s a fun place that’s perfect for a weekend getaway, but probably not much longer than that, to be fair.
What Will the New Flights Cost
So what will the new Santo Domingo flights cost? Well, I wouldn’t suggest buying tickets for the holiday season, where the new daily flights cost around $1,242 roundtrip right now. In the first week of January, prices go down a bit.
