Santo Domingo route: Palace of Columbus to Punta Cana
Explore Santo Domingo's colonial heritage and natural landmarks on this 17 km route through Dominican Republic. Visit the Palace of Columbus (Alcázar de Colón) and Parque Colón in the capital's historic district, then venture to Punta Cana's resort areas and the Caribbean's highest peak, Pico Duarte.
- Mode
- Places
- Start
- Mountain Terrain (Pico Duarte)
- End
- Punta Cana
- Stops
- 5
- Video author
- travmap
- Updated
Stops on this route
- Mountain Terrain (Pico Duarte) — Caribbean's highest peak at 10,164 feet, offering challenging alpine trails through cloud forests and dramatic mountain vistas.
- Dominican Republic — Caribbean nation sharing the island of Hispaniola with Haiti
- Palace of Columbus (Alcázar de Colón) — Prominent example of colonial architecture in Santo Domingo
- Parque Colón — Central square of the colonial historic district
- Punta Cana — Resort area on the eastern coast
Useful for your trip
- Avoid
- Do not drink tap water. Even most locals prefer bottled water.
- Food
- Try local coffee, chocolate, and cigars. Rum is the national drink with over 15 varieties produced locally.
- Tip
- The official language is Spanish. Locals appreciate if tourists make an attempt to speak Spanish.
- Tip
- Average temperature is 26°C (78°F). The island has great climatic and biological diversity.
- Where to stay
- Most popular resorts are located in Punta Cana in the east, known for 32 km coastline. Bávaro district offers luxury ultra-inclusive resorts.
- Tip
- Visit Three Eyes Cave, a limestone cave with three blue lakes filled with turtles, located near Santo Domingo.
- Save money
- Helicopter tours available for $70 to see the island from above and take pictures.
- Tip
- Visit Montana Roja which has swings at the top that let you soar over the mountain and ocean, with benches for sunset viewing.
- Tip
- Visit Parque Colón, the central square of the colonial historic district in Santo Domingo, surrounded by shops and cafes where locals play dominoes.
- Tip
- Santo Domingo is the oldest European settlement in America. Visit colonial architecture including the Alcázar de Colón Palace and Cathedral of Santa María la Menor.
- Tip
- Dominican Republic is the most visited destination in the Caribbean. Tourism generates over 6 million arrivals annually.
- Tip
- Bávaro Beach features calm turquoise water and white sand backed by shops, restaurants, and hotels. Water activities include scuba diving, windsurfing, kayaking, and sailing.
Video on this route
Dominican Republic 4K. Interesting Facts