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Santo Domingo Sightseeing Tour from Punta Cana
Excursions & day trips
Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
4.4/5
Free Cancellation
Language:
German
,
Spanish
,
English
,
French
,
Polish
Mobile voucher accepted
Duration: Fixable
Do this because
Explore the history-steeped colonial zone on a guided city tour
Visit the Alcazar de Colon and 15th century Santa Maria Cathedral
Traditional Dominican lunch in a historic, family-run restaurant
See Ozama Fortress, National Palace and Faro a Colon monument
Expert local guide with unrivalled knowledge of Santo Domingo
What to expect
Santo Domingo isn't only the Dominican Republic's capital – it's the largest city in the Caribbean. On this full day tour, you'll discover a city where modern, high-rise buildings tower over a UNESCO World Heritage Site colonial zone. Your day includes guided visits to the Gothic Cathedral and the Alcazar de Colon, plus lunch and free time. Luis, one of our expert local guides, says, ‘Calle Colon is one of the most vibrant streets in town, great for people-watching over a coffee. But I love Padre Billini Street, with its medley of weathered colonial churches, whitewashed houses and tree-shaded parks. It's hard to believe it's so central.'After a three-hour drive to the capital, you'll arrive in the historic heart of Santo Domingo. Here, you'll be transported back to the days of Christopher Columbus as we head into the colonial zone to pass by the National Pantheon, Ozama Fortress and the Museum of the Casas Reales – your guide will explain their history. You'll visit the Alcazar de Colon, which belonged to Christopher Columbus's family, and the Cathedral of Santa Maria la Menor, dating from the early 1500s. It boasts the title of the oldest church in the Americas.Enjoy a typical lunch at the family-owned La Atarazana restaurant, then you'll take a sightseeing drive through modern Santo Domingo, passing Plaza de la Cultura, the Museum of Dominican Man, the National Palace and El Faro a Colon monument. It's a jam-packed day exploring 500 years of history and architecture.
What's included
Transport
Guide
Lunch with drinks
Entrance fees
What to remember
Not suitable for guests with reduced mobility
Dress appropriately – no shoulders or knees showing – when visiting religious buildings
Provider
TUI DOMINICANA, S.A.S
Booking Fee
Good news! No extra fees are applied to this booking.
Cancellation Fee
Receive a 100% refund if you cancel up to 1 day before the experience begins
Reviews
great
4.4/5
Based on
37 reviews from verified customers
C
Christine Berry
July 2025
From United States of America
Traveled as
As a couple
- 53 years old
Average
Over 50 people in the group all Spanish speakers except us and another couple. Whilst guide did some explanation in English it was certainly a lot more in Spanish. We did not really see much of Santo Domingo whilst on coach no explanation of the buildings we were passing. Guide spent ages on Larimar took us to shop to buy 1 hour there and then he said we could have an hour down the main street. If told meeting point 2 hours could have been spent exploring. Photo stop far too long. Not impressed
Z
Zoltan
June 2024
From United States of America
Traveled as
Alone
- 26 years old
Excellent
C
Cabbage
April 2024
From United States of America
Traveled as
With family
- 43 years old
Great
Guide was excellent but due to the nature of the languages on board our bus, we as the only two English spent 40 minutes listening to Spanish & French before our turn!! There is such a thing as translated speech headphones!! Thoroughly enjoyed the trip and the Guide Obama was excellent. Really enjoyed the last 30/40 minutes in the square with time to ourselves
B
Babs
March 2024
From United States of America
Traveled as
Alone
- 40 years old
Average
Coach arriving 20 min late and then laughing about "English punctuality". Well, everything was rush afterwards, we couldn't enjoy any of the visits around Santo Domingo, Guide was leaving everybody at their pace, didn't bother about if people could catch him, understand him or wanted to see,. The best part of the museum we couldn't see becauses he rushed us out jThen, 1/2hr in the cathedral for nothing, Too many hours wasted travelling
L
Lynne
December 2023
From United States of America
Traveled as
Alone
- 23 years old
Excellent
Great trip and friendly guide. Felt safe being a solo female
B
Brenda
October 2023
From United Kingdom
Traveled as
Alone
- 48 years old
Excellent
T
Tulip
October 2023
From United Kingdom
Traveled as
As a couple
- 17 years old
Average
It was very interesting to learn the history of the island, I'm glad I got to hear that. But there wasn't an awful lot to see really, had it been a shorter journey and cooler it would have been better, but as it was, just not worth it really.
C
Corrine
August 2023
From United States of America
Traveled as
With family
- 43 years old
Great
Great visit to Santa Domingo but far too long picking people up from too many stops. D see Gould be no more than 3 stops
L
LynnM
August 2023
From United Kingdom
Traveled as
With family
- 44 years old
Great
Pick up and transfer confused. Group too big and too many languages. Spanish speakers learnt a lot more than non Spanish speakers. From the languages our party know different information was shared with each group Communication prior was poor. Denzel at times caused offence due to the nature of his comments and actions in relation to gender and nationality. However, We saw some fascinating places experienced Dominican culture and are glad overall we visited.
O
Overall good trip
July 2023
From United States of America
Traveled as
As a couple
- 46 years old
Great
E
Excellent trip and guide
June 2023
From United States of America
Traveled as
As a couple
- 34 years old
Excellent
The guide was excellent very knowledgable. Must use him again. Was funny and fluent in lots of languages
H
HRR303
March 2023
From United Kingdom
Traveled as
As a couple
- 35 years old
Excellent
Our tour guide (Obama) really made this trip for us. He explained so much to us and spoke English perfectly. We felt completely safe and happy on this trip. So nice to see the culture with someone else organising it all.
D
Dave Alcock
March 2023
From United States of America
Traveled as
As a couple
- 40 years old
Great
An interesting day out, a change from sitting on the beach or at the pool. The guide ‘Obama’ was very knowledgeable and friendly
A
Alie from UK
February 2023
From United States of America
Traveled as
As a couple
- 19 years old
Excellent
It is nice to see the city part of the country and not just be in the hotel and in the beach. The guide “Obama” knows a lot about Dominican Republic history. I find it really nice and very informative. The travel to pick up other tourists from other hotels is not my favourite part since it took 4hours on the way to the city over all. I hope they add more museums to the excursion and less souvenir shops. Overall I would recommend this trip.
J
JAMES
December 2022
From United Kingdom
Traveled as
As a couple
- 57 years old
Great
There was a little too much from the guide on the general history of the Dominican Republic which was interesting but could have been read about on the internet. I would like to have been informed more about what we were passing, what we could see, and the lives of ordinary citizens now. The gift/souvenir shops visited were overpriced and sold poor quality items like most others I suspect. However, the guide was good, the coach comfortable and I would recommend the tour as well worth doing.
C
Chris Middleton
December 2022
From United Kingdom
Traveled as
As a couple
- 16 years old
Excellent
Photographs are misleading - you do not visit the lighthouse which is a shame as it is why I signed up for this. However it is still a fantastic experience walking around Santo Domingo and hearing the history from an experienced guide. Although the tour was good there was far too much focus on shopping, stopping twice in the city for 30-45 minutes each time at the guide recommended stores. A good experience, though arguably should hire a car and make a day of it yourselves. Next time.
P
Peter
November 2022
From United Kingdom
Traveled as
Alone
- 15 years old
Excellent
Obama (the guide) was fantastic! Knowledgeable, great humour, spoke passionately about his country and told us things I'd never have gotten on a self guided tour. Really enjoyed it.
J
Jenna
November 2022
From United Kingdom
Traveled as
With friends
- 12 years old
Excellent
Obama was the best host! From the moment we got on the bus, he kept us informed of the day's events and we felt safe with him the whole day. The way he switched between 3 languages all day was so impressive (Spanish / English / German). He is a credit to this tour and TUI should be proud. We received a lot of info throughout the day and with the right monuments. Lunch was at a restaurant called Atarazana and it was an amazing buffet - highly recommend this tour for those who love culture.
R
Rachel H
November 2022
From United Kingdom
Traveled as
As a couple
- 24 years old
Excellent
This trip was very good value for money compared to some of the other excursions. It is a 2.5-3 hour bus ride each way. We got to see several monuments, the museum at Diego Colombus’ house, the cathedral, had free time at local shops plus a bus tour of the city and a Dominican restaurant with traditional dancers for lunch. But by the far the best was our outstandingly knowledgeable guide Obama, who gave a great history of the island and its culture - in 3 languages fluently. Brilliant day out.
S
SJ
October 2022
From United Kingdom
Traveled as
As a couple
- 19 years old
Great
It was very informative day. The guide- Obama was brilliant really enjoyed. There was some young children maybe 5 years old and they didn’t seem to get anything out of it other than bored. Also the travel time is very long. We got picked up from hard rock at 6.10 - back at 7.50 so be prepared!
M
Marianne and Darrin
October 2022
From United Kingdom
Traveled as
As a couple
- 36 years old
Excellent
As a historical cultural tour it was both engaging and informative, the guide was first rate. The lunch and entertainment surpassed expectations. the shopping / Free time were good add ons. A few more hours in the colonial district would be beneficial however balanced out with travelling time it was just about right. We would recommend to all travellers to the Dominican Republic
M
Malgorzata
September 2022
From United Kingdom
Traveled as
Alone
- 22 years old
Average
Late pick up, guide talking in 3 different languages and English translation was a lot shorter than original Spanish version so probably missed a lot of info and facts, didn't go to the lighthouse but had to take pictures from afar . Boring
L
Lee cowdrey
September 2022
From United Kingdom
Traveled as
With family
- 37 years old
Great
Experience was very good, gift shops overpriced, guide was great and very informative.
I
Ica
September 2022
From Ireland
Traveled as
With family
- 31 years old
Excellent
I really enjoyed the tour. Interesting things to see. John, the guide was very informative.
C
Chris
August 2022
From United Kingdom
Traveled as
As a couple
- 56 years old
Great
The whole trip was longer than advertised over 12 hours. Not much leg room in main coach after smaller pick up coach.
L
Laura
August 2022
From United Kingdom
Traveled as
As a couple
- 17 years old
Great
I think it was really well organised in terms of being picked up and dropped off, it was very smooth, also the tour guide was entertaining and knowledgeable
M
Matt H
June 2022
From United Kingdom
Traveled as
With family
- 23 years old
Excellent
N
Nick
June 2022
From United Kingdom
Traveled as
As a couple
- 28 years old
Excellent
A really interesting tour with a great guide, he knew his stuff and seemed like he really had a passion for what he was doing and saying to us all as a group. I can’t fault this trip or guide.
M
Monica
June 2022
From United Kingdom
Traveled as
Alone
- 25 years old
Excellent
Guide "Obama" was fantastic. Driver was polite and courteous! Would help if customers are told that shawls are provided for free at religious places for covering knees and/shoulders. Would save in carrying un-needed items. Overall the outing was exceptional!
C
claudia
May 2022
From United Kingdom
Traveled as
With friends
- 12 years old
Average
Nice tour guide but he kept promising the "best prices" at the stores we stopped off at, when in reality we were getting ripped off. I understand we were using these places as bathroom breaks, but the last shop in the city centre was completely unnecessary as it sold the same items as all of the other shops we visited. The time would have been better spent at the Christopher Columbus lighthouse, which is unfortunately not a part of the tour. The guide was very accommodating and allowed us to get off the bus to take a photo, but we were unable to get close and enjoy the sight. The schedule should definitely stick to the historic spots, which are sadly few and far between as pollution and poverty has taken over the city. The restaurant was beautiful, except there was a small chunk of metal in my food (I'm assuming from a can or a fresherpack bag) and the bathroom walls were covered in human excrement. Obviously this element isn't so much a TUI issue, it's more of a Dominican Republic issue.
S
S.Ast
March 2022
From United Kingdom
Traveled as
As a couple
- 20 years old
Great
The trip was very informative and Johnny was very knowledgeable. Lunch at the restaurant was very good. It was however a very long day 7am till 7pm with many hours spent on the coach. Johnny was also speaking in four different languages to accommodate everyone which as times meant it was hard to keep up
H
Helen62
February 2022
From United Kingdom
Traveled as
As a couple
- 42 years old
Excellent
Our guide was very knowledgeable and friendly. The restaurant at lunchtime served local food which was very tasty. The description of the trip was accurate but needs to include transfer times as this added 4 hours to the day. Well worth the journey but we would have appreciated the heads up
N
Nick
January 2022
From United Kingdom
Traveled as
Alone
- 40 years old
Excellent
For those interested in the past this trip is unmissable, as you visit the site of the birth of the Americas, as we know it today. Our guide Victoriano (aka Obama) was very knowledgeable and the trip was great value for money. At around 12 hours from pick up to drop off this was a long day but well worth it.
A
Alison
January 2022
From United Kingdom
Traveled as
As a couple
- 30 years old
Great
We were picked up from our hotel at 6.30am. We never arrived in Santa Domingo until 10.30am. The bus toured around the city until 12 then we had lunch. Very good lunch buffet. The guide then took us around the sights. Museum, cathedral and Pantheon. All very interesting and the guide was exceptionally knowledgeable. But he had to explain everything in English, then German then French. So everything took so long. This was not an English speaking tour. We then only had 25 minutes to explore on our own! No time to wander or even sit and have a coffee. Certainly no time to buy any gifts. Back in the hotel for 7.30pm. A 13 hour day. Not 8 as advertised.
K
Katie
December 2021
From United Kingdom
Traveled as
With family
- 15 years old
Excellent
I wished the trip was an overnight/2 day excursion it would have been amazing to spend more time in Santo Domingo. I was really impressed with Santo Domingo, although small it was a lovely city and the Dominican people weee really friendly. I felt very safe during my time on the excursion. I have travelled far and wide, and have been on many tours before but no guide has ever been as brilliant as Obama, he was extremely knowledgeable about the history of Santo Domingo, the discovery of the new world and the socio economic status of the modern day Dominican Republic.
A
Ana
December 2021
From Ireland
Traveled as
With family
- 26 years old
Excellent
A
Anonymous
November 2021
From Germany
Great
Schöner Ausflug,
Hätte mir aber ein wenig mehr Freizeit gewünscht. 45 Minuten waren uns einfach zu wenig.
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