Santo Domingo
Visit Santo Domingo for the Colonial Zone, a UNESCO site with the first cathedral and first castle in the Americas.
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Santo Domingo is the Dominican Republic's capital and its largest city, set on the Caribbean coast of Hispaniola where the Ozama River reaches the sea. Greater Santo Domingo is the biggest metro area in the Caribbean, with roughly four million people or more. The city is also the country's hub for culture, finance, politics, trade and industry, and it has the main seaport.
Most of the historic sights are in the Colonial Zone on the west bank of the Ozama, a UNESCO World Heritage Site listed in 1990. Spain set up its first colonial government in the New World here, and the city is the oldest continuously inhabited European settlement in the Americas. Visit the Catedral Santa María La Menor, the Alcázar de Colón and the ruins of the Monasterio de San Francisco, then head to the Malecón or the museums around Plaza de la Cultura. Spanish is the official language, and English is widely understood in business and hospitality. Trade winds moderate the heat, and December to March is the coolest and least humid stretch.
Santo Domingo in five
- Base yourself in the Colonial ZoneThe cathedral, the Alcázar de Colón and the Ozama fortress are all within a few blocks of each other on foot.
- Use ride apps or booked taxisStreet taxis rarely have meters. Ride-hailing apps work across the city and give a price up front.
- Ride the metro for longer tripsTwo metro lines and a cable car cross the city and avoid the worst traffic. Buy a rechargeable card at the station.
- Fill in the e-Ticket before you travelThe free entry and exit form is required for air arrivals. Complete it online and keep the QR code.Official e-Ticket
Things to do in Santo Domingo
See all attractions in Santo Domingo
Need to know
- Airport
- Las Américas (SDQ), about 30–40 min to the center
- Getting there
- Flights; about 2.5–3 hours by road from Punta Cana
- Getting around
- Walking, metro, cable car and ride apps
- Best base
- The Colonial Zone
- Time needed
- 2 days
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- JanuaryRain14 rainy daysHigh28°Low21°Dry, breezyJanuaryRain
Best
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 21°
- Precipitation
- 57 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, breezy
- FebruaryRain17 rainy daysHigh28°Low21°Dry, busyFebruaryRain
Best
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 21°
- Precipitation
- 56 mm
- Rainy days
- 17
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, busy
- MarchRain18 rainy daysHigh29°Low21°Dry, warmMarchRain
Best
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 21°
- Precipitation
- 85 mm
- Rainy days
- 18
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, warm
- AprilRain21 rainy daysHigh30°Low22°Warm, drierAprilRain
Good
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 145 mm
- Rainy days
- 21
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, drier
- MayRain25 rainy daysHigh30°Low23°Hot, showersMayRain
Mixed
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 178 mm
- Rainy days
- 25
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, showers
- JuneRain24 rainy daysHigh31°Low24°Hurricane seasonJuneRain
Mixed
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 168 mm
- Rainy days
- 24
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hurricane season
- JulyRain25 rainy daysHigh31°Low24°Hot, humidJulyRain
Mixed
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 202 mm
- Rainy days
- 25
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, humid
- AugustRain25 rainy daysHigh31°Low24°Hurricane riskAugustRain
Mixed
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 241 mm
- Rainy days
- 25
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hurricane risk
- SeptemberRain23 rainy daysHigh31°Low24°Peak hurricanesSeptemberRain
Mixed
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 181 mm
- Rainy days
- 23
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Peak hurricanes
- OctoberRain23 rainy daysHigh31°Low24°Hurricane riskOctoberRain
Mixed
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 230 mm
- Rainy days
- 23
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hurricane risk
- NovemberRain20 rainy daysHigh29°Low23°Rain easingNovemberRain
Mixed
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 204 mm
- Rainy days
- 20
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rain easing
- DecemberRain16 rainy daysHigh29°Low22°Dry, holidaysDecemberRain
Best
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 93 mm
- Rainy days
- 16
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, holidays
Average daily high and low in Santo Domingo, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Santo Domingo
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
26
- Feels like
- 31°
- Humidity
- 88%
- Wind
- 8 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 76%
Santo Domingo
04:38 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today29°22°76%Monday: Thunderstorms. High 29°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 76%.
- Tue29°23°50%Tuesday: Thunderstorms. High 29°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 50%.
- Wed29°22°61%Wednesday: Rain. High 29°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 61%.
- Thu29°22°88%Thursday: Thunderstorms. High 29°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 88%.
- Fri29°23°81%Friday: Drizzle. High 29°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 81%.
- Sat29°23°69%Saturday: Drizzle. High 29°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 69%.
- Sun30°22°45%Sunday: Fog. High 30°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 45%.
Updated 02:22 PM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 60.72 DOP
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Santiago de los CaballerosBy bus on DR-1 north-westThe country's second city, reached on the north-west DR-1 highway by Transporte Espinal buses.Read the guide
- San Pedro de MacorísBy road on DR-3 eastReached east on DR-3, the Autopista de Las Américas.Read the guide
- La RomanaBy road on DR-3 eastAlso on the DR-3 route east, on the way to Punta Cana.Read the guide
- Punta CanaBy bus on DR-3 eastEast coast beaches, reached on DR-3 by Expreso Bávaro buses from the capital.Read the guide
Before you go to Santo Domingo
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Rules for Santo Domingo, checked
- Power cuts still happen in some parts of the city, so carry a power bank and a torch.
- Taxi fares are usually not metered, so agree on the price with the driver before you get in.
- Some OMSA bus routes take only cash, while others accept the transit card, bank cards, Google Pay or Apple Pay. Check the route before you board.
- Check entry rules with the Dirección General de Migración before you fly.
- Call 911 in an emergency. The Tourist Police (POLITUR) can help with problems involving visitors.
Plan around Santo Domingo
The resort coast, about 2.5 to 3 hours east
Read the guideSamaná PeninsulaWhales and quiet beaches, about 2.5 hours northeast
Read the guideAll of the Dominican RepublicEntry, money and the regions
Read the guideEntry rules for the Dominican RepublicForms and checks before you fly
Read the guideGetting aroundCar hire, buses and transfers compared
Read the guideSanto Domingo FAQ
Is Santo Domingo worth visiting?
Yes, for a day or two. The Colonial Zone has the first cathedral and oldest European streets in the Americas, plus good restaurants and bars.
How do I get from Las Américas Airport to the Colonial Zone?
By taxi or ride app, about 30–40 minutes. Taxis at the airport use set fares; confirm the price before you leave.
Can I go from Santo Domingo to the beach?
Boca Chica is about 40 minutes east, and Bayahibe and Punta Cana are 2–3 hours by road.
Is the Colonial Zone safe to walk at night?
It is the most visited area and busy in the evenings, but stay on lit, populated streets, keep phones out of sight and take a ride app late at night.
What should I see in the Colonial Zone?
Start at the cathedral and Plaza de España, walk Calle Las Damas to the Ozama fortress and the Alcázar de Colón, then end on a plaza with a drink. Museums keep set hours, so check before you go.