Travelling to Santo Domingo?

Our routes, not a list of everything. Places that have been there for centuries: no opening times or prices, which go stale.

1. 01

   Santo Domingo in a day

   8 hThe first cathedral, the first university and the first paved street in the Americas, in ten blocks. Everything that came after 1492 started here, for better and for worse.Calle Las Damas · The Alcázar de Colón · The cathedral, and the fight over the bones · The first university in the Americas · The Malecón at duskRead the full guide
2. 02

   A weekend in Santo Domingo

   18 hOn Sundays, in the ruins of the first monastery in the Americas, a son band plays and the whole neighbourhood dances. It’s free and it’s been happening for twenty years.Saturday: the Colonial Zone on foot · Saturday: the thirty-one years nobody mentions · Saturday night: baseball, if it’s the season · Sunday: Bonyé, in the ruins · Sunday: Los Tres OjosRead the full guide
3. 03

   What to see in Santo Domingo

   A whole continent’s list of firsts, in ten blocks. And a concrete lighthouse from 1992 that switches on its beam and knocks out the neighbourhood’s power.The Ozama Fortress · The Primada de América cathedral · The San Francisco ruins · The Columbus Lighthouse · Amber and larimarRead the full guide
4. 04

   Eating in Santo Domingo

   The colmado explains this country better than any museum: shop, bar and speaker all at once. And in formal places the bill carries 28% that isn’t on the menu.The colmado · La bandera, at midday · La fritura · The 28% that isn’t on the menu · The coffee, and why it’s so goodRead the full guide
5. 05

   Where to stay in Santo Domingo

   Three million people, and you’re going to see ten blocks. The question is whether you sleep inside the old town or in the city around it.The Colonial Zone · Gazcue · The Malecón · Piantini and NacoRead the full guide
6. 06

   Day trips from Santo Domingo

   From January to March, ninety minutes away, the North Atlantic humpbacks come to breed. They travel from Iceland and Canada to the same bay.The whales of Samaná · Boca Chica · Jarabacoa and the mountains · Bayahibe and Saona · San CristóbalRead the full guide
7. 07

   From Santo Domingo airport to the centre

   There’s no reference fare here and that isn’t a figure of speech: for the same ride we found prices between 28 and 77 dollars. Ask before you get in.The official rank, and the question · Booking before you fly · The metro that’s no use to youRead the full guide
8. 08

   Santo Domingo: practical tips

   A Caribbean capital of three million, with the good and the ordinary that implies. Price before the taxi, 28% on the bill, and bottled water.The price, before you get in · The 28% on the bill · Big-city common sense · Water, sun and hurricanes · Mobile dataRead the full guide

The real options, with what actually decides it: which terminal it leaves from and where it drops you. Fares and timetables live with the operator, who keeps them current.

• TaxiZona Colonial · MalecónUse the official terminal rank and confirm the fare before leaving. The ride comes in along the seafront Malecón.·Fares and timesAeropuerto Las Américas

Before you fly, or on the layover. Pay per visit, whatever airline.

• Sala Caribefrom €39.90
• Copa Clubfrom €42.00

• Punta CanaPUJ8 routes