Things to do — Colonial Zone

The essence of the experience concentrates in the Zona Colonial. Typical 2-day itinerary:

Day 1 — Catedral Primada de América (morning, 1h, 60 RD$): first cathedral in the Americas (1512-1540), Gothic-Renaissance style, initial tomb of Christopher Columbus. Parque Colón (main square, Christopher Columbus statue, starting point). Calle El Conde (pedestrian shopping street, stroll and shopping). Lunch on Plaza España facing Alcázar de Colón (afternoon, 2h, 250 RD$): first viceroyal palace in the Americas (1510), residence of Diego Columbus son of Christopher, colonial arts museum. Calle Las Damas in late afternoon (1502, first paved street in the Americas, colonial façades of Hostal Nicolás de Ovando, Casa de Bastidas, Capilla de los Remedios, Panteón Nacional). Aperitif and dinner on Plaza España.

Day 2 — Fortaleza Ozama (morning, 1h30, 100 RD$): oldest European military fortress in the Americas still standing (1502-1505), Torre del Homenaje for panoramic view of the river. Museo de las Casas Reales (1h30, 100 RD$): 1511 colonial palace, former residence of Captains General and Royal Court, exceptional colonial collection. Lunch Mesón D'Bari (traditional Dominican cuisine, 1929 colonial mansion). Afternoon: Monasterio de San Francisco (spectacular ruins), Iglesia Las Mercedes, Calle Hostos. Evening: merengue-bachata in a Zona Colonial club (Jet Set, Onno's, Lulú).

Main museums: Museo del Hombre Dominicano (outside Zona Colonial, Plaza de la Cultura, exceptional pre-Columbian Taíno collection), Museo de Arte Moderno, Museo de Historia Natural, Museo Numismático y Filatélico.

Excursions from Santo Domingo: Pomier caves (San Cristóbal, 50 km, half day €30-50 per person, one of the Caribbean's most important Taíno rock art concentrations). Boca Chica (beach 30 km away, half day €25). Faro a Colón (15 min by taxi, 100 RD$, controversial cross-shaped monument). Higüey and Altagracia basilica (130 km east, day €60-80). Bayahibe and Saona Island (2h drive, day €80-100 per person).

Nightlife: Santo Domingo has one of the Caribbean's liveliest nightlife scenes. Merengue-bachata clubs in the Zona Colonial: Jet Set (the best known, live merengue programming, €15-25 entry), Onno's (Plaza España, lively bar-club), Lulú Tasting Bar (creative cocktails). The Malecón (Avenida George Washington) comes alive on weekends.

Shopping: Mercado Modelo (Calle Mella, crafts, cigars, mamajuana, rum), Larimar Museum & Factory (national semi-precious stone, turquoise blue, Dominican exclusive), upscale shopping centres (Acropolis, Agora Mall, Blue Mall) for international brands.