Santo Domingo Half-Day City Tour – Colonial Zone, Los Tres Ojos & Columbus Lighthouse
Experience the highlights of Santo Domingo in just a few hours with our half-day Santo Domingo City Tour, designed for visitors with limited time or cruise passengers looking for a shore excursion (3h30–4h).
Begin with a guided visit to Los Tres Ojos National Park, a fascinating system of limestone caves and turquoise lagoons hidden within the city. By arriving early, you’ll enjoy cooler temperatures and avoid large crowds.
Continue to the Colonial Zone, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the oldest European settlement in the Americas. Stroll its cobblestone streets on a walking tour and discover historic landmarks that shaped the New World:
- The First Cathedral of the Americas (entrance included, closed during Sunday mass)
- The National Pantheon
- Calle Las Damas, the oldest paved street in the Americas
- The sites of the first hospital and the first university in the New World
- Parque Colón and Plaza de España with exterior views of the Alcázar de Colón
Your cultural discovery also includes a stop at the Taíno Center, where exhibitions highlight the island’s indigenous heritage and pre-Hispanic culture.
Before returning, make a brief stop at the Columbus Lighthouse (Faro a Colón). This will be an exterior visit only, with the opportunity to step out for photos if guests wish, before continuing to your final stop: El Conde pedestrian street, where you’ll enjoy free time for shopping, pictures, or a coffee. The tour ends with a comfortable transfer back to your hotel or cruise terminal.
Tour Highlights
- Half-day (3.5–4h), shore-excursion friendly
- Los Tres Ojos caves & lagoons – less crowded in the morning
- Colonial Zone walking tour with Cathedral*, Pantheon, first hospital & university
- Taíno Center: explore pre-Hispanic heritage
- Columbus Lighthouse (exterior) with optional photo stop
- Free time on El Conde pedestrian street
Colonial Zone Walking Tour
Explore the first city of the New World, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Walk through cobblestone streets and discover landmarks such as the first hospital, monasteries, plazas, and iconic colonial architecture.
Catedral Primada de América
Visit the first cathedral of the Americas, a masterpiece of Gothic and Renaissance architecture. Note: interior visit not available on Sundays due to mass.
Hospital San Nicolás de Bari
Discover the ruins of the first hospital in the New World, built in the early 1500s by Governor Nicolás de Ovando.
Monasterio de San Francisco
The ruins of the first Franciscan monastery of the Americas, one of the most photographed landmarks in Santo Domingo.
Panteón Nacional
A solemn mausoleum where Dominican national heroes rest, located on Calle Las Damas, the oldest paved street in the Americas.
Alcázar de Colón & Museo de las Casas Reales
During the walking tour you’ll pass by the Alcázar de Colón, the former residence of Diego Columbus, and the Museo de las Casas Reales, which once housed the Spanish Crown’s administrative offices. Both are admired from the exterior.
Dominican Rum Museum & Tobacco Factory
Depending on timing, your guide may include a short visit to the Dominican Rum Museum or a local Tobacco Factory, where you can learn about the history of rum and cigars in the Dominican Republic and see artisan cigar rolling.
Columbus Lighthouse (Faro a Colón)
One of the city’s most monumental landmarks dedicated to Christopher Columbus. This tour includes an exterior photo stop only.
Parque Los Tres Ojos
Conclude the tour at Los Tres Ojos National Park, a natural wonder with caves and crystal-clear lagoons. Highlights include La Nevera, accessible by boat, and the open-air lagoon Zaramagullones, surrounded by lush tropical scenery.
Itinerary Overview
- Pick-up: hotels in Santo Domingo / Don Diego & Sans Soucí cruise terminals
- Los Tres Ojos (45–60 min) – caves and lagoons
- Colonial Zone Walking Tour (1h30–1h45): First Cathedral*, National Pantheon, Calle Las Damas, first hospital, first university, Parque Colón, Plaza de España (Alcázar exterior)
- Taíno Center (30–40 min) – indigenous heritage exhibition
- Columbus Lighthouse (Faro a Colón) – exterior only, optional photo stop
- El Conde pedestrian street – free time (10 –15 min) (Optional)
- Return transfer to hotels / cruise terminal
⚠️ Disclaimer: The itinerary and times are approximate and provided for orientation purposes only. Actual schedules may change due to weather, traffic, or operational conditions. Adjustments may be necessary to ensure the best and safest experience.
*Cathedral closed to visitors during Sunday mass as much of the museums.
What's included
- A/C transportation + hotel & cruise terminal pick-up/drop-off
- Licensed bilingual guide (EN/ES)
- Entrance fees: Los Tres Ojos, Cathedral, Taíno Center, National Pantheon
- Bottled water
What’s Not Included
- Meals and drinks
- Tips and personal expenses
- Alcázar de Colón interior (exterior view only)
Know Before You Go
- Comfortable clothing & footwear: Wear light clothes and sturdy walking shoes for cobblestone streets and caves.
- Sun protection: Bring sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat.
- Hydration: Carry a bottle of water (we also provide one).
- Cash or card: For personal purchases on El Conde or optional extras.
- ID/Passport: Some attractions may require valid identification.
- Respectful attire: Shoulders and knees covered when entering the Cathedral (strictly enforced).
- Camera/phone: Capture photos at Los Tres Ojos, Colonial Zone landmarks, and the Columbus Lighthouse photo stop.
