Santo Domingo City Tour: The First City of the Americas from Punta Cana

Overview

Santo Domingo's Zona Colonial is the oldest European settlement in the Americas and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. On this guided full-day tour from Punta Cana we walk the same cobblestone streets Christopher Columbus's son Diego walked in 1502, visit the very first cathedral, palace and university of the New World, swim through the underground cenote of Los Tres Ojos, see the Malecón seafront and enjoy a traditional Dominican lunch in the heart of the old city. Driven by a private air-conditioned vehicle, led by a local historian guide, and limited to small groups — this is the cultural counter-balance to your beach week and the easiest way to actually understand the country you're visiting.

Highlights

• Round-trip from any Punta Cana, Bávaro, Cap Cana or Uvero Alto hotel
• UNESCO Colonial Zone walking tour with a local historian guide
• Catedral Primada de América (1514) — the first cathedral in the Americas
• Alcázar de Colón — Diego Columbus's 1502 palace
• Calle Las Damas — the first paved street in the New World
• Parque Colón & Plaza España
• Los Tres Ojos — natural underground cenote
• Malecón seafront drive

Itinerary

1. 07:00 – 07:30

   Hotel pickup

   Private A/C transfer from your hotel or Airbnb.

2. 10:00

   Arrival in Santo Domingo

   Drive along the Malecón seafront with stops for photos.

3. 10:30 – 13:00

   Colonial Zone walking tour

   Catedral Primada, Plaza España, Alcázar de Colón, Calle Las Damas, Parque Colón, Museo de las Casas Reales and the Panteón Nacional with a local historian guide.

4. 13:15

   Dominican lunch

   Traditional set menu in a colonial-era restaurant in the heart of the old city.

5. 14:30

   Los Tres Ojos

   Visit and swim opportunity in the underground cenote park — three open-air freshwater lakes inside a limestone cave system.

6. 15:45

   Optional shopping stop

   Brief stop at the Mercado Modelo or a Dominican cigar/amber atelier for souvenirs.

7. 16:15

   Return drive

   Comfortable transfer back to Punta Cana.

8. 18:00 – 18:30

   Hotel drop-off

   Back at your resort.

Questions