Santo Domingo Cultural Tour
Description
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.
Tour Options
Itinerary
In this national park we will find one of the best kept natural secrets of the city, its 4 lakes: 1. Sulfur Lake: The first lake we can see from the moment we enter, its name is due to the fact that a whitish substance can be seen at the bottom and therefore people thought it was sulfur. 2. Ladies' Lake: Its name is due to the fact that it was previously used as a spa and due to its discreet location and because it is shallow, it was reserved for women. It is 2.5 meters deep at its deepest part. 3. La Nevera: Its name is due to the low temperatures it reaches since it never receives sunlight, its temperature ranges between 15°C and 21°C. 4. Los Zaramagullones: This is the 4th lake, its name is due to a species of amphibious ducks that are native to the area. It has impressive natural vegetation that surrounds the lake.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
Please make sure to be ready 10-15 minutes before the pick-up time to avoid delays and to make the most of the time and places without rushing. If you are not at the meeting place at the agreed time, we will call you at the number you provided. If we are unable to establish communication, we will continue with the tour or excursion as scheduled. *See Company Policies & Guarantees*
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(64)
If you come on vacation to the Dominican Republic, it is highly recommended to take this tour. The city of Santo Domingo is incredibly wonderful regarding its culture and architecture; moreover, it is a country that takes great care of its cultural heritage. The guide Leo, known as the professor, is a very cultured person; he knows his country and history like the back of his hand and is always very willing to answer any questions you may have. The time allocated for visits to each place is just right. Highly recommended.
This was a good tour but the organisation of the pick-up and return was abysmal. Nobody arrived to pick us up and after contacting the company they sent an Uber to take us to the meeting point which wasn't an ideal start to the day. Our first port of call was Tres Ojos which is a very beautiful place. We then visited the Lighthouse but we weren't able to go in. Then we had a photo stop at the Presidential Palace. After this we had lunch which was very nice. After this we walked to Zona Colonial and after a shopping stop we visited the cathedral. This is much more impressive on the inside than it is on the out. We then continued to Calle Las Damas and our final port of call being the Pantheon. This concluded the tour and our guide, Daniel, was good. Unfortunately there then came the issue of transportation back to our hotel, which was included in our package. We were told that we would have to pay the driver USD15 even though there was already another passenger going to a different hotel less than 1km away. We declined this and got a Uber at a fraction of the price. This left a bad taste in the mouth
This was supposed to be a six hour tour. Instead it started at 11 and ended about 3:30. Some of the things pictured, we merely drove by. The guide was ok. Not brilliant. But not bad. The pick up arrangements were botched. They ended up calling an Uber for me who took me to the first stop on the tour. The lunch was filling. But à la grade school cafeteria. All those criticisms aside, I still saw good stuff and learned, too. I might go again. Just wish they’d do better.
There is a lot of walking involved and a lot of steps at the Tres Ojos. The tour guide Miguelon was very knowledgeable and an excellent guide.
I booked 4 May 25 Santo Domingo Cultural Tour. Waiting since 940am as pick up.starting time is 10am. But till 11am, I could not seen the tour guide. It is terrible your operator M&E Tour.
We paid for the tour in full, got our vouchers and confirmed the day, time and location of our pick-up (JW Marriott Hotel). We were in the hotel lobby 20 minutes early but M&E never showed. The hotel called M&E directly no fewer than three times, getting different excuses each time. Eventually, M&E proposed sending an Uber driver to pick us up and take us to the first stop on the tour, hoping to find the tour guide. The problem with that is that the Uber driver would have no idea what the tour guide looked like, he didn't speak English and we don't speak Spanish. The hotel insisted that M&E send a representative to escort us and M&E refused. The hotel then suggested that they send a hotel taxi with English-speaking driver to remain in contact until the tour guide was found, and for which M&E would need to reimburse the hotel, and M&E rejected that idea as well. At this point, the hotel urged us - for our own safety - not to proceed and, of course, they were right. Viator was not much better in assisting us to get a refund for the "no show". Dragging their feet, they took days claiming to "review the booking details" which had nothing to do with the tour operator not showing up. It was only through our own efforts that we finally got a refund. Thanks for nothing, Viator. DO NOT BOOK AN M&E TOUR!
After paying in full and printing out the voucher for our tour - which included the pick-up address of our hotel and the pick-up time - and our being in the lobby 20 minutes in advance of the pick-up time, the tour operator, M&E TOURS, never showed. Our hotel called no fewer than three times, always getting a different excuse. Finally, the tour operator absurdly suggested that he would send a random Uber driver to pick us up and take us to the park where the tour's first stop was to be, the problem being that the Uber driver would have no idea what the tour guide looked like, the driver didn't speak English and we don't speak Spanish (hence signing up for an English language tour) and our hotel insisted that the tour company send its own representative. The tour operator refused and the hotel then offered to send a hotel taxi with an English-speaking driver who would stay in communication until we were safely put with the tour, and for which the tour operator would have to reimburse the hotel. The tour operator refused that and became belligerent with the hotel representatives. At this point, the hotel urged us not to proceed for our own safety and, of course, the were right. Viator wasn't much more helpful when we finally found some chatbot to complain to, taking days to "review our booking details". It was only through our own efforts that we got a refund. Thank for nothing, Viator. AVOID M&E TOURS!
They forgot to look for us, we waited 50 minutes and called them. They sent us a Huber, I wanted him to pay for the trip, of course I didn't pay for it. In the 3 Eyes Park, where the tour began, no one expected us. I called again on the phone and soon a person appeared to take us with the guide. He had already done the first part with the other hikers, he had to do it again with us and the other people wait, very angry rightly, a bad time without it being our fault. The guide was excellent.
They pick up late , always in a rush,poor choice of food , didn't show us anything in los tres ojos and the monument of colon and we didn't get off the bus so we didn't take pictures
It was an amazing experience and I recommend everyone that comes to Santo Domingo to do it. Our tour guide was very knowledgeable and friendly and he made sure we had a great time.
