Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
-
Bring screenshots and printed copies of Ticket Portal QR codes and Passport
Before boarding your flight to the Dominican Republic
As of April 1, 2021, all passengers entering and departing are required to fill out digital forms through the Electronic Ticket Portal before their arrival. You will need to fill out a form for arrival and another form for departure, so the system will generate two QR codes. If you need to make a change to the form, you must fill it out again. The airport authorities will scan the codes when you go through Customs.
Landing at (SDQ) Airport
Once your plane lands, you will walk off the plane with other passengers and follow signs to Immigration ("aduanas" in Spanish). Please have QR codes, passport, and custom cards filled out with the following:
Immigration information to show with your passport if they ask where you are going:
Purpose of trip: Tourism
Address should be: Hotel Novus C. Hostos Esq, Santo Domingo 10210
Phone number: (809) 688-5500
Wait in Line at Immigration
At Immigration, you will stand in line until asked to present your passport. Give the officer your passport and they will stamp it. You’re in the DR!
Follow signs to Baggage Claim and wait at the carousel assigned to your specific flight. Find this carousel by following others from your flight, checking a monitor, or asking airport staff.
If you didn’t check a bag, keep walking to exit the airport by passing through Customs.
Exit through Arrivals Hall - You made it!
Proceed to the Arrivals Hall, exiting through the sliding glass doors. We are expecting you!
In the very rare chance that you cannot find us, please call Manuel Del Villar at +1 809.904.7885
-
Hostal Nicolas de Ovando
Beautiful building in the midst of La Zona Colonial with tons of colonial charm, a pool overlooking the Ozama River and a great restaurant.
Intercontinental Real Santo Domingo
Modern hotel with a great spa, multiple restaurants on site, pool overlooking the city and located in the middle of downtown Santo Domingo
JW Marriott Hotel Santo Domingo
Located within the Blue Mall complex this is one of nicest new hotels in Santo Domingo. The Vertigo Lounge in the lobby has wonderful views of Santo Domingo.
El Embajador, A Royal Hideway Hotel
-
Dominican food in a gorgeous indoor garden , great for small plates
Dominican food, loud and fun and very extra, has all the traditional faves
Haitian food, always delicious and has some great fish/seafood options.
Argentinian steakhouse outdoors on Plaza España. Meats.
1502 at Hotel San Nicolas de Ovando
Great food in an old colonial patio with a pool and views of the ferries and river
Leandro Diaz y su Casa Gastronomica
Casual, super Dominican, lots of traditional food and creative takes
Little food truck spot that has a bar and is low-key
Bougie vegetarian food, it’s delicious and has great cocktails
Right on Parque Colón, full of locals and tourists having coffee. The food is good and the service is always very nice, and it is great for people watching in the park.
-
Ozama Fortress / Fortaleza Ozama
This is an old fortress and tower that looks over the Ozama river. Generally open during the week for visits, you can walk around the grounds alone or you can get a tour guide there who can give you history and context (it’s worth it).
Diego Columbus’s House / Alcázar de Colón
This house was built for Cristoból Colón’s eventual return to Hispañola but was occupied by his son Diego Colón and his family. There’s a nice audio tour in multiple languages and well-preserved articles from the time. It has beautiful views of the river and the edge of the Colonial Zone.
Plaza España
Massive plaza on the corner of the Zona, nice for a stroll through or to stop and get some food, there are usually festivals or events happening and a line of restaurants to get good food or drinks. Excellent people watching.
Parque Colón
This plaza alongside the cathedral has musicians, vendors, and kids with benches under massive old trees and a few restaurants a
Calle del Conde
There are lots of little tourist shops and kiosks along the pedestrian street Calle el Conde. There’s also a grocery store, Supermercados Nacional.
Ruins of San Francisco’s Monastery / Monasterio de San Francisco
One of the projects of Nicolás de Ovando in the 16th Century, now it stands in ruins. It’s protected so you can’t go inside, but you can walk around and see what’s left after an earthquake destroyed it in the 18th Century.
First Cathedral in the Americas / Catedral Primada de las Américas
This was the first Cathedral in the Americas, built in 1512-1550. The interior chapels are examples of a wide range of styles - gothic, baroque, moorish, renaissance, and others. There is a small fee to enter during non-service hours.
Monument and Museum of Friar Montesinos / Monumento de Fray Anton de Montesinos
This monument to Montesinos illustrates this Spanish Dominican friar activist speaking out against the injustice of indigenous slavery. The museum and tour shares history and context of the movement and sometime has art exhibits as well. It’s right outside the Colonial Zone (a short walk) and has beautiful views.
-
Galeria Bolos
Beautiful little art gallery with folk art and handcrafted souvenirs
Zona Bici
Bike rentals in the Colonial Zone. Also snacks and beer and ice cream.
La Alpargateria
Handmade shoes, made right in the Zona Colonial.
Mamey Librería Caribeña
LIttle Caribbean bookstore, super cute and sometimes has events
Mercado Modelo
A building just outside the Colonnial Zone in Chinatown, full of kiosks with handmade and mass-made souvenirs. Chaotic and lots to see and buy.
KahKow
Handmade Dominican chocolate, you can buy at the gift shop, eat some there with coffee, or make your own chocolate bars with the KahKow experience.
Museo de Larimar Dominicano
This is a little museum / shop with Dominican larimar, a semiprecious blue stone that’s only found on the island. A great souvenir or natural gift to take home!
-
Boca Chica
The closes beach to Santo Domingo Boca Chica is known for its delicious fried fish and turquoise waters.
Juan Dolio
Venture 45 minutes outside of Santo Domingo, pass Boca Chica, and near the town of San Pedro de Macoris you will find Juan Dolio beach. Spend a day or rent one of the condominium along the beach for a night.
Dunas de Bani
Take an hour and a half drive west of Santo Domingo and find yourself in the biggest sand dunes in the Caribbean. Walk around the Dunas de Bani and your reward will be a beautiful hidden beach. A protected area here you can find Iguanas, stumble down sand dunes or venture down the dunes on a sled.
Palmar de Ocoa
Within the Ocoa Bay you will find a sleepy beach town with clear waters and beautiful mountain views.
