Why Honeymoon in Santo Domingo
The Dominican Republic is best known for all-inclusive resorts. Santo Domingo shows a different side of the country: its history, music, food and the everyday life of Dominicans. For couples who like culture, it adds depth to a beach trip.
The Colonial Zone is compact and atmospheric. You can wander from the Catedral Primada de América to the Alcázar de Colón, the palace of Christopher Columbus's son Diego, in a few minutes. Restored houses with thick stone walls and shaded courtyards now hold hotels where you can sleep in rooms that are centuries old.
The city is also a good place to eat and dance. Restaurants range from street stalls to refined Dominican kitchens. Music is everywhere. Merengue and bachata were born in this country. Learning a few steps together is a fun way to start married life.
When to Go
December through April is the most comfortable time, with warm days, cooler evenings and little rain. January and February are the coolest months. This is the best time for walking the city.
May through November is hotter and more humid, with more rain, often in short afternoon showers. August is usually the hottest month. Hurricane season runs from June through November, with the highest risk from August through October.
Carnival brings parades and costumed dancers to the Malecón on Sundays in February, peaking around Independence Day on February 27. The Merengue Festival, usually held in summer, fills the city with music. Christmas and Easter week are busy times, when many Dominicans travel.
If you're combining the city with a beach, it helps to choose dates when the beach side is at its best, since that is where you will spend most of your time.
Where to Stay
The Colonial Zone is the best area for honeymooners. It is walkable, full of history and close to the best restaurants and bars.
- Hodelpa Nicolás de Ovando occupies restored 16th-century buildings overlooking the Ozama River, with a pool and elegant rooms. It is one of the most romantic hotels in the city.
- Hotel Conde de Peñalba sits on Parque Colón next to the cathedral, with a lively café and a central location.
- Smaller boutique hotels and guesthouses fill restored colonial houses throughout the zone. Some have rooftop terraces or plunge pools in their courtyards.
Modern hotels along the Malecón and in the Piantini area offer sea views, larger pools and international brands. They are convenient for business but less charming.
Whatever you choose, ask for a quiet room. The Colonial Zone can be noisy at night, especially on weekends.
Romantic Things to Do
- Walk Calle Las Damas, often called the first paved street in the Americas, at golden hour.
- Visit the Catedral Primada de América, the oldest cathedral in the Americas, completed in the 1500s.
- Tour the Alcázar de Colón, then have dinner on Plaza de España as the palace lights up.
- Climb the tower of the Fortaleza Ozama for views over the river and the old town.
- Stroll Calle El Conde, the pedestrian shopping street, for larimar jewelry, amber and cigars.
- Visit Los Tres Ojos, a series of open caves with lagoons in the east of the city. Go by taxi or with a guide.
- Wander the Jardín Botánico Nacional, a large botanical garden with orchids and a Japanese garden.
- Take a merengue or bachata class, then dance at a local bar or club.
Getting There and Around
Las Américas International Airport (SDQ) has nonstop flights from several US cities, mostly in the Northeast and Florida, including New York, Newark, Boston and Miami. The drive to the Colonial Zone takes about 30 minutes. Taxis from the airport are fixed-price, or you can use ride-hailing apps.
Within the Colonial Zone, walking is the best way to get around. For longer trips, use ride-hailing apps or taxis called by your hotel. Avoid unmarked cars and drivers who approach you on the street. The city's metro runs two lines and is cheap, though it is less useful for visitors.
To reach the beaches, book a private transfer or rent a car. La Romana and Bayahibe are about one and a half to two hours east. Punta Cana is about two and a half hours. The Samaná Peninsula is around two and a half hours north on the highway.
Food and Drink
Santo Domingo is the best place in the country to explore Dominican food. Try la bandera, the national lunch of rice, beans and stewed meat. Mangú, mashed plantains served at breakfast with fried cheese, eggs and salami, is a local favorite. Sancocho, a hearty stew, is a weekend tradition.
The Colonial Zone has many restaurants in historic buildings. Pat'e Palo, on Plaza de España, is a brasserie that claims roots going back to the early 1500s. Other restaurants serve modern Dominican cuisine, seafood and international dishes, often in courtyards or on rooftops.
For drinks, try a cold Presidente beer, a glass of Dominican rum or mamajuana, a local mix of rum, wine and herbs. Cafés serve strong Dominican coffee. Rooftop bars in the Colonial Zone are a great place to watch the sunset over the old town.
Honeymoon Tips
- The US State Department rates the Dominican Republic at Level 2, exercise increased caution, due to crime. In the city, keep phones and bags close. Motorbike thieves sometimes snatch bags from the curb side.
- Use ride-hailing apps or hotel taxis, especially at night. Don't flag down unmarked cars.
- Keep passports in your hotel safe and carry a copy.
- Drink bottled or filtered water. Ice at good restaurants is usually safe.
- Dress smartly in the city. Dominicans dress up for dinner. Shorts are uncommon in the evening at nicer places. Cover shoulders and knees when visiting churches.
- Bars and clubs have had early closing times under local rules, so nights out may start earlier than you expect.
- Bring insect repellent. Dengue occurs in the Dominican Republic. If you're pregnant or hoping to be soon, check CDC travel health notices.
