The first and the oldest standing church in the Americas is definitely worth a visit while you are in Santo Domingo. You will get an audio guide upon entry. Unfortunately, filming is not allowed, and you are limited to only taking photos.

This was definitely on my list of churches and cathedrals to visit since it is the first one in the Americas. Currently the fee is 80 Pesos for non Dominicans and free for Dominicans. If you’re in shorts or your outfit is too revealing, you may be provided a free cloth/ scarf. Definitely not as impressive as some European cathedrals I visited but still worth it because of the history.

This is a great place to visit while in the colonial zone of Santo Domingo. In a little bit off the beaten path, but well worth the trip. The church is beautifully restored, and while exploring the property, you can get some fairly nice views of the colonial zone from high at top of the hill at the old city wall.

A beautiful landmark in the heart of the Colonial Zone, it's something you should see if you have the chance to stroll through the area. Christopher Columbus Park is lovely and there are nice restaurants all around.

Incredible how this is the oldest cathedral in the Americas from 1540. Still standing and beautiful. It has a mix of Gothic and Renaissance architectural styles that gives an important historical and cultural feature to the city. We heard in the tour that Columbus remains are there, but they’re also in Sevilla. We started researching a lot online after learning about this…

Very cheap entry, around 2$ incl audio guide. Nice building but not as impressive as other old cathedrals. But in my eyes a must visit in Santo Domingo, since it is the oldest cathedral of Continents of Amerika.

Absolutely beautiful Gothic style church. The architecture was amazing, and the presentation within was mesmerizing. They do have audio selections for a multitude of languages allowing you know what you were visualizing.

Beautiful park of four cenotes. I do think it's worth going to if you happen to be in Santo Domingo. This information was current as of my visit: - The Uber there from the zona colonial was 3-4 dollars, it was about a 20 minute ride. - The park opens at 8am and charges 200 pesos to extranjeros, credit card only. - There are 4 lakes. You go down a staircase to access 3 of them; a raft will take you to the 4th lake. - The raft starts running at 9(ish) and costs 50 pesos for an adult, cash only. - The whole thing does not take long to explore and you don't need a guide. One guide I saw was barely explaining anything to his group, while the other did a good job giving history and geographic knowledge, but it was all stuff you can read online yourself. - If your goal is to beat the crowds, I would recommend coming at around 8:30. Walk around the 4th lake from ground level (takes about 10 minutes), then descend into the cavern and visit all three lakes (15 minutes) before waiting at the third lake for the first boat. Add more time if you're a slow walker or the type to stop and take a lot of photos. After 9 you will see a lot more people, including groups of school kids and what not. - I'm not sure, but I suspect the lighting might be better later in to the day when more sunlight can get into the caves. If you're fine with crowds and midday heat, you might want to try around noon for more turquoise-y water. - There are a good nunber of stairs. It's fine for the average adult with no disabilities, but it's not an accessible site.

Ana amazing feat of nature. It was a really nice break from the city and a cool note. The sinkhole formations ara amazing. I don't believe it's worth to take a tour guide. Really nice picture opportunity there.

An interesting green area to visit in Santo Domingo, combining forest, underground passages, rock formations, and blue lakes. The infrastructure is quite massive and somewhat invasive, but this was the typical style for caves adapted for visitors between the 1950s and 1980s. Some guides lack technical training in karst geology and hydrogeology, so their explanations often mix facts with myths. The most disappointing part for me is the souvenir shop at the exit, where they sell handicrafts made from the very geological formations the park is supposed to protect. Despite these drawbacks, the park is still worth visiting to enjoy its lush greenery and unique subterranean scenery.

It's good to spend some time to take a look the three eyes cenote. No swimming allowed. You need to tell the ticket sales person which currency 💲 you would like to pay otherwise she will automatically deduct US dollars from your credit 💳 card. No cash accepted.

This is definitely one of my favorite spots in Santo Domingo. The park is easy to navigate. The staff is friendly. It is an amazing little slice of nature trapped in the chaotic bustle of one of the America’s oldest cities. There is a small pull along, underground raft to ride from one of the lakes to the fourth lake. It has a small fee, but is completely worth the extra, insignificant cost.

Caves very easy to find and you don’t need a tour guide. Just pay to get in and do your own exploring.

Short trekking within the city, you can get there easily, no need to take a tour, so you can enjoy all the time to admire nature

I drove around as I missed the parking garage and couldn’t not find it again. I drove past slowly and couldn’t take photo. It was a lovely view. The whole of the town is picturesque. Cobbled streets and no parking signs everywhere! Some nice shops I wish o was able to get to visit. Large police station and police presence. I will definitely go back next time and walk around on foot.

Beautiful Old historical residential museum in the heart of Zona Colonial which was built by Diego Columbus. The ticket to enter was about $2/person. It comes with an audio device where you can learn about the history of the museum and each room. On the second floor, you can see a beautiful view of the river and the Colonial area. We spent about 30-45 minutes here and it's definitely worth visiting if you are in the colonial area. It was not crowded and the staffs were pleasant.

My bad luck, past 3 trips, I have encountered something like this every trip. Chicago- bean was under construction. Acadia, can’t see the sunset due to fog, and now this. The place was closed for renovation. Overlooking the Plaza de España and the Ozama River, the Alcázar de Colón (Columbus Palace) was built in the early 1500s as the governor’s residence. Once the home of Diego Colón, Christopher Columbus' son, this 16th-century viceregal palace (or residence of the governor/viceroy) was the nucleus of the Spanish court for more than 60 years. Explore 22 rooms over two stories inside the restored palace and museum, and see a collection of furniture, household items, artworks, tapestries, musical instruments, and weaponry, which offer a glimpse of life in Colonial Santo Domingo. A tour of the Alcázar de Colón is a must for anyone who wants to learn more about the city's rich history. And be sure to pick up some headphones to take advantage of the museum's self-guided audio tours Today, it’s one of the Colonial Zone’s most popular museums, and houses period furniture, artworks, and artifacts from the 16th century.

The Italian Renaissance inspired Alcazar de Colón [Castle of Columbus] is also called Palacio Virreinal de Diego Colón [Viceroy Palace of James Columbus]. This building was the first viceroy palace in the Americas, along with the home of Colón y Toledo. According to the sign on the outside of the palace, the family built the house by 1511 and lived in the house until 1577. Last restored in 1955, the building is now a historical museum with sporadic opening times. The museum was closed for maintenance during my visit.

We had a guided tour. It was facinating to learn about the history of these Spanish upper.class that came to live in Santo Domingo. Much of the furniture and decorations are original, even if the actual structure is not. Most notable was that Christopher Columbus son and his wife were the ones to occupy the palace. Really, quite exceptional to see

Museum is reasonably interesting but quite small with little description on the artifacts. Audioguides are given out at the entrance however I had a tour goide and don't believe I got as much out of it as I might have, since explanation was about little other than it being Christopher Columbus' house which was destroyed by Frances Drake. It's unfortunate the remainder of the building to give a truer idea of how the place functioned.

The place is well preserve with lots of history. Very detailed information from the old days of the Spanish high class. The audio gadget is a great help and nice way to get know about all things that are shown.

The raw, beating heart of Zona Colonial. Not all roads lead to it, but somehow they do. The music, the hustle and bustle of life will always lead you here when you are in Zona Colonial. I spent many hours sitting on the benches, people watching, and talking to the locals. Do watch where you sit. Everyone loves the pigeons. They are a famous feature of the park. But. They roost up in the trees, and for every pigeon on the ground there is another in the trees, about to drop some poo on the ground, bench, or unsuspecting person.

great family walking around enjoying the afternoon a night hours visiting lots of old structure building and eating outdoor cafes ice cream etc seating at the park was priceless. no parking 🅿️ available near you just park where you can get a spot not blocking a driveway or a taxi is the way to visit the place. i walked in many blocks around and see lots of police officer everywhere taking care of the visitors safety so you good to go. obviously in the colonial streets.

Nice place to visit in Dominican Republic lots of history beautiful church ! It's not free to enter and we'll worth the price. Most churches lack all that beauty !

Great to see the towering Columbus monument, especially with the statue of what represents the first Taino woman who learned to read and write. Remarkable! The pigeons are an added attraction as they are being fed. The live entertainment makes you want to dance.

Parque Colón is one of the most charming spots in the Colonial Zone. It’s full of history, surrounded by beautiful colonial architecture, and right in front of the stunning Catedral Primada de América. The atmosphere is lively, with street performers, local artists, and families enjoying the square. It’s a great place to sit on a bench, relax, and take in the cultural vibe of Santo Domingo. At night, the area lights up with restaurants and cafés nearby, making it a perfect stop for both tourists and locals.

SD. First Basilica of the Americas among other important sites to visit. Taino’s Museum suggest a well curated exhibition.

Nice place to visit with family and friends, a lot to see and nice historical stuff. You can find a lot of places to eat and have a good time. You can walk around the historical center of Santo Domingo. Very safe and good music.

The Faro a Colón is an impressive and historically significant monument, but the exterior grounds definitely need an upgrade and better maintenance. It’s surprising that such an important landmark isn’t more well-kept on the outside. Inside, you’ll find artifacts from various countries that offer an interesting glimpse into global history. If you enjoy history and exploring cultural relics, it’s worth a one-time visit—just don’t expect the exterior to match the monument’s significance.

An interesting open-air museum and monument dedicated to Christopher Columbus. I did not have the opportunity to go inside, because I was there too early. I had intended to circle back later, but the DR Tourist Police stopped me out front of this massive park and structure, telling me it was unsafe for a solo traveler to be wandering around that neighborhood alone. They then drove me to my next destination. I do not know if that was warranted or not, but I was not going to risk a return trip on foot to see what I had missed.

Neat spot with lots of history. It's supposed to be one of two places where part of Christopher Columbus's remains are. This museum does a great job of honoring countries from around the world and painting a picture. They have many unique artifacts that I have not seen in other museums and thought this was well worth the time and the couple of dollar entry fee.

It's not a lighthouse, as I'd been told, but a huge memorial building that supposedly shines light in four directions. I was told they rarely light it up because of the power surge it can cause, but regardless it's an impressive structure and is a poignant tribute to Columbus. There's a lovely breeze that rips down the middle that is so refreshing!

This memorial is a must see in Santo Domingo, it’s a massive monument to the person who “discovered the Americas.” There are displays from most if not all the countries in the western hemisphere. The cost is/was $4US per person. Some of his remains are located inside (this is a point of contention as they’ve never allowed the bones to be DNA tested). The lights can be seen from space and Puerto Rico when illuminated.

This memorial is a must-see! It has great history and an interesting museum. The museum itself is quite old, with poor lighting, and some items are a bit dusty — it even feels like a few things might be missing. Still, it’s a very nice experience with a lot to see and learn about the entire Caribbean region. I was a bit disappointed that there were almost no English descriptions under the exhibits. The entrance fee is about 200 pesos per person. I’d recommend going with a guide if possible, though I don’t think they provide them there.

I thought the museam was alright. One thing I did find interesting was that there are several rooms that had contributions from multiple countries from around the world. From an aerial view the building is in the shape of a cross.

The service is great depending on who you get. I want to give credit to the trip waiter/waitress that attended to my party, Ester and Manuel. They were great and I'd love to have them again. The atmosphere is beautiful, but the food is hit or miss. The drinks were good especially the natural juices. I will say I also tried a burger and the presentation of food is great but the bread wasn't to my liking. The taste of the meat in the burger was great, so I only ended up eating that part. It's worth a visit, even just to view the sea and observe the sunset with good drinks and listen to the peaceful sounds of the ocean.

The food is presented in unique ways. Some of the food - the mofongo for instance was a bit dry, the chicharon de cerdo was also dry. The fresh fruit juices are super yummy. I ordered two of the passion fruit. The location on the water (Él Malecon) is wonderful— especially sitting right above the water. I liked it so much I returned the next day with my whole family. We enjoyed the complimentary Sancocho in tiny bowls- tasty!

More of a chill beachside restaurant vibe. They a QR menu which translates to English for tourists. Enjoyed the creole seafood rice stew, especially with their homemade hot sauce. Took a long time to get the attention of the service team so be warned.

Looking at the reviews about service and waiting times. Absolutely true. The food was good but nothing worth waiting one hour and 20 minutes. So if you want to go there just make sure you are prepared that someone takes your order and never comes back to check on you. The apologies about the wait time was basically why are you complaining feel lucky that you got served. One thing is certain for our family visiting for the first time from out of town, we are definitely not going back to this place ever again.

Great location, beautiful view of the water and the sound of the wave is amazing. Food was not that good. We had the Fried rice, the chicken soup and chicken tenders.

The food was pretty good overall. The location next to the ocean makes for a nice backdrop.

I like this restaurant just because The ocean view 🌊😍The food and drinks are good and affordable…it’s hard to find a parking at the restaurant but is parking at the street… the Service is not good because no one welcome you … took me 5 min or more to get a table and they took 15 min plus to take your order plus 30-35 to bring it…si eres amante del picante 🌶️ el mejor picante lo tienen ellos 🥵 🌶️ 🔥

I wish I could share something positive, but my experience with the staff was disappointing. Living just a two-minute walk away, I decided to try this restaurant for a traditional dish, but the welcome felt more like an interrogation, and the atmosphere was off. We ordered three frozen lemonades and a double shot of Hendrix with tonic on the side; the gin was served in a paper cup, which I found disrespectful. Deciding to take my order to go, I found the steak filet and chicken nuggets/tenders with fries were tasty, but the Meson with rice, beans, and plantains was terrible—the meat was cold and rubbery, and the beans were soupy. Additionally, I was sold a used bottle of hot sauce. The poor service, improperly cooked meat, and tasteless presentation prompted me to write this review. I’m sorry, but I would never return and do not recommend this restaurant.

I'll start by saying that I've never regretted ordering any dish from this menu and restaurant. It's high quality Dominican food that truly represents our flavor. This particular location is in a quiet neighborhood and allows for a great lunch experience. The roasted goat, sancocho, cocido, ropa vieja, and the crab cativia are all safe splendid choices. Enjoy and I'll go back any given Saturday for lunch.

I've traveled to alot of countries. But by far this was the absolute best service I've ever received at a restaurant in my life. Then the food just blow my socks off!!! The food taste homemade and was so delicious!!! If your traveling to Dominican Republic You MUST STOP HERE!!!

Food was a bit disappointing. We were a group of 6 and all had different menus. Setting looks fresh and inviting, limited parking in front of restaurant available. Service was attentive & friendly. A lot of variety of food and a lot of dominican specialities. We shared a starter of 3 different empanadas which were for my taste slightly overcooked. My pepper filet (ordered medium) was cooked through and a bit on the tough side and not enough pepper sauce. Mash was ok but the french fries of the chicken filet creole style were almost crispy chips - far overcooked. There was a small pile of salad on the plate - presentation looked odd and no dressing on it. Food arrived for all parties on the same time. Overall - nice ambience but food was just not quite there were it should be - especially for that price.

The best Dominican food in Santo Domingo full stop they have 2 restos and a visit to either one is a must (love the old city one)

Delicious authentic Dominican food. Wonderful service and absolutely beautiful restaurant.

I highly recommend this place. The ambience, the service, quality of everything we ordered.

Very good, and the young lady who attended us very nice. Had the NY Steak and the sauce was excellent. But the rice top tier, my mother had the Korean BBQ very yummy(if you love spicy 🔥). 10/10

The experience at Yao Asian Cuisine was amazing. Asian Cuisine with a Dominican touch. The food is delicious, the service and the prices. The ambient at Yao is really good. Of course I'll be back.

Just simply awesome stuff. Amazing staff, great service, and even better food and drinks!

This Restaurant was absolutely AMAZING! Great food, server was helpful and very joyful great energy, drink names and concepts are really fun! Definitely would recommend! 😘🙏

If I could give negative 10 Stars I would. We were there last night and they had two party events going on and the staff and manager ignored the regular customers is sitting in the middle of the restaurant. The manager is horrible and has no understanding of how to manage a business let alone a restaurant. She has a very non-caring attitude and was more worried about leaning on the counter than actually stepping up and helping to make drinks, expedite food, check on tables to make sure everyone is being serviced, etc. She just stood there staring at the customers and leaning against the counter. It took us nearly 30 minutes to get two sodas and a lemon drink and that was after asking four times where our drink is and trying to wave at the manager to get her to come over. The waiter obviously was new because he didn't know what food we ordered and came back three different times to check on it and then didn't understand the name of one of the dishes, went to ask the manager, the manager said I don't know, and then they both came over to the table and we had to show them a picture so that they can possibly understand what we were talking about. It was now one hour later before the egg roll appetizer and dumpling appetizers showed up and they were burnt. 10 minutes later one plate of food came out and the other two plates still weren't prepared so we are an hour and 15 minutes in and we had no food. We complain to the manager and all she said was well sorry and that was it she did not care so we got up and left. Never again when I go here and they need to get a new manager and new servers here because it is horrible. The best Yao of all of them is the one that they had in Agora mall. The orders were prepared quickly and the wait staff was excellent. This Yao is HORRiBLE! GET A NEW MANAGER! You also need better trained waiters and waitresses and a cook staff with a kitchen manager who knows how to expedite food properly.

I went there with my family for a weekend night, it definitely wasn't wasted at all! It was an amazing experience from the moment we entered, quick service, loved everything we tried, drinks and food, absolutely astonishing.

I’m not a culinary expert or someone knowledgeable of the Asian cuisine but I catalogue this restaurant as one of the best I ever visited considering: price, quality and quantity. Real nice place and if you go with a big group you can choose the Asian room which is a Asian table.

A Spanish style restaurant with good food in general but be careful because the prices are very high. I like their two outside areas but badly in both of them smoking 🚬 is allowed 😭

Paella Marinara! I'll be back to try other dishes; the Paella will be hard to beat. Whether you dine inside, out front amongst the trees, or in back by the pool, you'll find something you'll like. If you can't decide, sit at the bar until inspiration hits you!

What a place for Spanish flair. Here you have your choice of fine dining or light, energy filled outdoors with night with live music... The food and tapas, outstanding. There is the obvious great selection of wines. Go with friends and have an amazing time.

Live music on Saturday night. It's an Earth & Sea type of restaurant and one of best representators of the true Spanish cuisine. Everything is excellent here, although if I were you I'd take the Sea food, because I feel that's where they have a stronger menu. The portions are also very generous, so don't think because you're paying about $10-15 bucks for a plate you'll be able to eat it all! 😂🍽️

The food here is great, with lots of variety and a consistent quality every time I go. The warmth of the staff, even in the weeds, makes this place stand out. I am partial to the outdoor terrace in the the front, it's my favorite spot on the premises. If you go, make sure you order a Tarta de la Viña for dessert. I suggest you reserve it as soon as you sit, they tend to run out fast.

A quick lunch here. I had pulpo gallego, Caldo gallego. Great food quality. I like this Caldo gallego very much.

Excellent choice of traditional Spanish food in the city of Santo Domingo. The restaurant is located in a charming Casona from the 50s, which retains its original architecture and is surrounded by beautiful vegetation of centuries-old trees and is located with an excellent visual in front of the square of culture, has outdoor seating and interior. The acces is via Av. Maximo Gomez or George Washington. The Menu offers the classics from the spanish cusine: tapas, paellas, fidua, lamb, seafood... Medium price quality ratio.

I was a bit disappointed with the food temperature, my arroz con gandules and chivo were served at room temperature and so was my husband’s bean moro , same with the mofongo, my husband ordered the fish fillet which was ok, for drinks we had the mojitos, also ok. We waited alt least ten minutes before they took our order and for the food to come out as well, the waiters seemed lost and not all together. The restaurant is located in a very busy street but they have parking which was pretty full. The place it’s very nice, just would have hoped the food would have been better 🫤

Generally speaking it was ok taking into consideration the place was packed and they weren't enough waitress however some of the dishes I couldn't eat it cuz was too cold and it tasted weird it seems like it was made in the morning and it was just waiting for someone to ordered just to get rid of it cuz even the sauce was solidified how can you serve something like that?... I send the dish back and they still charge me the full price for it that was a chicken breast and some potatoes they were too cold. However i can say that the moto was amazing. Just be aware the it can be so packed on the weekends that if you don't have a reservation you'll have to wait standing up for a while until you get a table then waiting like an hour to get the food.

Food was fine, nothing out of this world. The shrimp mofongo sauce was very thick - almost congealed. Important note for people who do not eat pork: the shrimp mofongo has pork crackling mixed in. I would wager they all do. It was an unfortunate surprise but we made the best of it. Service and atmosphere were good.

My experiences at this establishment have been mixed. During a previous visit around 9 PM, the food, while not entirely fresh, was acceptable. However, a recent takeout order proved disappointing. The meatballs were dry, and the fried plantains, despite being purportedly made to order, were also dry. Additionally, the fried cheese was stale and required reheating. Consequently, the meatballs and some of the plantains were discarded. This recent experience was quite unsatisfactory.

I believe my experience is unique, and it might go well for you. My harsh rating has to do with my experience with the people around and the staff. I’m a believer that I don’t wear my money on me because it brings unwanted attention. The DR is a very dangerous place for people that come to this country by themselves and not familiar with their surroundings! Now, to rate the restaurant. The food is tasty and the portions are good. Take in mind they sell the food by the pound. Large selection of Dominican staples with breakfast options almost at any time. The place is large with the majority of the seats outside with fans to help with the heat. There is a section with A/C if you choose to dine in but it cost a bit more. There is also a bakery with tasty sweets. There is also a large number of foreigners in the area. I also believe the management lacks experience handling the volume of people. It is not set up correctly, too many bottlenecks. I would say go and try it! Dress well and enjoy a staple of Gazcue. By the way there is a small mom restaurant in a colmado down the block, a bit cheaper and great tasting options too.

Actually, not very tasty, but the food is always better, and fresh if you go Only at Lunch time, because if you go right after 4pm, they will serve you The same food from the already tasteless Leftovers they already served at the Lunch hour. So everything will depends, just accordingl,if you are a foreigner tourist, therefore your expectations may not be the same as you have already been in some other countries, in terms of much more variety, and flavorful dishes.

I'm amazed by their service! I didn't expect the staff to speak some English. I've never seen a better service than theirs, seriously. The place reminds me of an American diner. The way it looks. The food was very good and it's a old and traditional place I've read. The cuban sandwich was delicious, but I think it could be a bit more salty to enhance the flavor. I highly recommend it.