Full Day Tour to Santo Domingo from Punta Cana with Lunch
Description
What sets our tour apart is the perfect blend of history, culture, and natural beauty that will leave you captivated throughout the day. This full-day tour from Punta Cana takes you on an unforgettable journey through Santo Domingo, the oldest capital in the Americas. You’ll get to explore iconic landmarks like the First Cathedral of America, National Pantheon, and Parque Colón, all while learning about the fascinating history behind each site. You’ll also experience the unique beauty of Los Tres Ojos Park, where stunning natural wonders await. With comfortable transportation and a delicious Dominican lunch included, this tour offers a stress-free and enriching experience. Whether you're a history enthusiast or simply looking to explore the charm of Santo Domingo, this tour is the perfect way to see it all. Book now for an unforgettable adventure!
Tour Options
Itinerary
Relax during the comfortable two-hour drive to Los Tres Ojos Park, where natural beauty and breathtaking sights await. As you journey, sit back and look forward to the wonders that lie ahead in this stunning natural park. Immerse yourself in the enchanting beauty of its cenotes, offering a truly unforgettable experience in nature's hidden paradise.
Faro a Colón is a striking cross-shaped monument dedicated to the Christianization of the Americas. This impressive structure stretches 800 meters long and stands 36.5 meters high. While it was originally believed to house the remains of Admiral Christopher Columbus, genetic testing has revealed that his remains are actually located in the Cathedral of Seville. When lit, the lighthouse projects a powerful cross-shaped beam of light into the sky, visible from up to 64 kilometers away.
National Pantheon, Santo Domingo The National Pantheon is a solemn and historic mausoleum where the remains of the Dominican Republic’s most distinguished figures are preserved.
Parque Colón is the central hub for recreation in Santo Domingo’s Colonial City, surrounded by notable landmarks such as the Catedral Primada de América, the first City Hall of Santo Domingo, and Calle El Conde, a lively street known for its restaurants.
The Palacio Nacional is one of the Dominican Republic’s most impressive architectural landmarks. This grand neoclassical building serves as the official residence of the country’s President and houses key government offices. While visitors cannot enter, they can admire its majestic façade, elegant columns, and beautifully landscaped gardens from the outside.
Las Damas Street is the oldest street in Santo Domingo, the Dominican Republic, and the Americas, dating back to the early colonial period. It earned its name because noblewomen of the time would stroll along its path, which is now beautifully adorned with colonial tiles. Walking down this historic street, visitors can admire Fortaleza Ozama, La Real Audiencia, the house of Don Rodrigo de Bastidas, and the "Trampolín" children’s museum, along with well-preserved colonial houses, some displaying family crests from the era. 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! And return back to Punta Cana with a 2 hour back drive
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
Hotel pickup is included for a smooth and hassle-free start to your journey. Pickup times vary depending on your location, and exact details will be provided the day before your tour. Please be ready in the hotel lobby at the designated time. If staying in a private rental or an area outside the main hotel zone, an alternative meeting point may be arranged.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(6)
I was surprised, the city is very beautiful and historic, we had a lot of fun but the special was the guide Miguelo, was super attentive, explained details of all the sights, was super sought after and fun. The trip would not have been perfect without him
11 hours in total: start/end. 7 hours on the bus and the rest tour. Too many stops to collect people to share trip including delays and waitings. The tour was quite fast considering the original plan with just few minutes of stop in specific shops indicated by the guide. In some cases just time to take a picture and this because, I suppose we were late since the beginning…. I can understand this is for sharing costs but it’s not my first experience like this but for sure not so badly organized. I cannot recommend. Sorry.
Good morning, You where taken to Los 3 Ojos, Faro. A Colon, President Palace, Malecon Of Santo Domingo, Colonial Zone, check what you where booking. so can you be more specific on what you didn't like, couse Punta Cana, Bávaro, Dominican Republic and even your country are very expensive. But we sorry if you didn't liked, 99 % of our costumer do. But not everybody like the same thing. Best regards, Luis Berroa.
The tour guide spoke in Spanish then translated in English with each explanation of a particular site. This caused the first group to move ahead to explore on their own but the English speaking group hardly had anytime to explore on their own because the tour guide was ready to move on. Tour should be designated “Spanish” or “English” or “Other”. There isn’t enough time when trying to use 2 languages. It’s a long day so be prepared from pick up to return is between 11-12 hour day. The sites were very interesting, learning a lot of history. We really enjoyed the 3 Eyes National Park.
Good morning, You where taken to Los 3 Ojos, Faro a a Colon, Presidential Palace, Malecón Santo Domingo, Colonial zone, food, Dreams, a tour guide, check what you where booking. so can you be more specific on what you didn't like. But we sorry if you didn't liked, 99 % of our costumer do. But not everybody like the same thing. Best regards, Luis Berroa.
As a solo traveler, I booked this two days prior to my trip, and the process was efficient. The team was responsive to my inquiries and communicated clearly with me through Google Voice and WhatsApp (Luis). The scheduled early pickup from Cortecito inn/hotel areas was between 7: 30- 7:40 AM. There were some delays due to traffic within the pickup area (hotel zone), but once on the road, the rest of the day flowed smoothly. We were a small group traveling in a van, which made the experience more comfortable. (If you are on the taller side, the seating might feel a bit snug) The drive from Punta Cana to Sto. Domingo was about 1.5 to 2 hours. Our tour guide, Miguel, joined us upon arrival in Santo Domingo and guided us through the city’s highlights, including Tres Ojos, Faro a Colón, churches, and the Ciudad Colonial. It was a full day of exploration and well paced, allowing us to see and each site and take lots of photos. I think starting at Tres Ojos made a difference, as the larger tour groups arrived just as we were about to leave. Lunch was a buffet at Imperial. I especially enjoyed the vegetable soup, rice, and chicken—simple and satisfying. (If you eat only seafood and vegetables, there may be fewer options available at the buffet.) We also had time to walk around the mercado, where we bought souvenirs and experienced a bit of local life. The tour also included the entrance tickets and audio guide to the main cathedral in Santo Domingo, the Basilica Cathedral of Santa Maria la Menor, the first cathedral built in the New World (Americas). We left Santo Domingo around 4 PM and enjoyed a relaxed drive back to Punta Cana. I also liked that the driver played bachata! Overall, it was a day well spent and good value for the money. Tips are not included, so if you are feeling appreciative, make sure to tip the driver and tour guide.
I learned so much about Dominican Republic history. The guide was great only 2 of us spoke English but we had no trouble. He was friendly and informative. His name was Josiah. The humidity combined with the stair walking was a true workout.
There was a lot to see after arriving in Santo Domingo. Several of the sights were "drive by" - would have been more meaningful to go inside, such as Faro a Colon. The cenotes are always a delight to experience, even if we can't jump in. Learning about the history of the Taino people and how they came to be extinct is essential to understanding current day DR and its European influences. The lunch was fine, and seemed to representative of DR cuisine. Just not a fan, I think. The walk through old Santo Domingo was very interesting and the brief stop at a Super Mercado was a special treat. Overall a great experience. How would I improve it? I woukd ask for a guide who could share as much in English as in Spanish. The explanations in Spanish are long and detailed. I got the Cliff Notes version in English. If I hadn't known something about DR before this tour, I would have been clueless.
