Home / Dominican Republic / Santo Domingo
Santo Domingo, the capital of Dominican Republic
Flag of Dominican Republic Capital of Dominican Republic

Santo Domingo

Santo Domingo, officially known as Santo Domingo de Guzmán, is the capital and largest city of the Dominican Republic. As the largest metropolitan area in the Caribbean by population, it serves as the cultural and economic heart of the nation.

Photo: Jose Juan C (Public domain)

Quick facts

Population
1,029,110 (city, 2022)
Currency
Dominican peso (DOP)
Language
Spanish
Timezone
AST (UTC-4)
Local time now
05:38:00

Hotels in Santo Domingo

Santo Domingo offers a variety of accommodation options for visitors, from budget-friendly hostels like Hostal Condo Parque to established hotels such as Hotel Discovery, Hotel Navarro, and Class Colonial. Whether you're looking for colonial charm or modern amenities, the city's hotel scene provides choices for different travel styles and budgets. See all hotels →

Independencia
86 m from centre
Hotel Discovery
92 m from centre
Hotel Navarro
128 m from centre

Airports in Santo Domingo

Santo Domingo is served by several airports, with Aeropuerto Internacional Las Américas and Aeropuerto Internacional Presidente Doctor Joaquín Balaguer being the main international gateways. The city also has Base Aérea de San Isidro and Aeródromo de Los Montones serving the capital and surrounding region. See all airports →

Base Aérea de San Isidro
14.3 km from centre
Aeropuerto Internacional Presidente Doctor Joaquín Balaguer
14.7 km from centre
Aeródromo de Los Montones
22.6 km from centre

Car Hire in Santo Domingo

Santo Domingo offers several car hire options for visitors and locals alike. Major rental companies including Thrifty, Budget, Ada Car Rental, and Meta Rent-a-Car operate in the city, alongside local providers like Tours Rent Car, giving you flexibility in choosing your vehicle for exploring the Dominican Republic. See all car hire →

tours rent car
349 m from centre
Thrifty
652 m from centre
Ada Car Rental
928 m from centre
Budget
1.6 km from centre

Things to Do in Santo Domingo

Santo Domingo offers a rich array of historical and cultural attractions for visitors. From iconic landmarks like Puerta del Conde and Altar de la Patria to notable sites such as Francisco del Rosario Sánchez, the capital presents numerous places to explore and experience Dominican heritage. See all things to do →

Doña Manuela Diez de Duarte
29 m from centre
Pina
35 m from centre
Puerta del Conde
41 m from centre
Francisco del Rosario Sánchez
47 m from centre
Altar de la Patria
61 m from centre
Fuerte de la Concepción
114 m from centre

Restaurants in Santo Domingo

Santo Domingo offers a diverse dining scene with options ranging from casual eateries to established restaurants. Popular venues like La Bodeguita, Expreso Lucky, Restaurante Caribeño, Lechonera Mota, and Pizza Hut serve the local community and visitors alike. See all restaurants →

La Bodeguita
regional · 85 m from centre
Expreso Lucky
106 m from centre
Restaurante Caribeño
140 m from centre

Swimming Pools in Santo Domingo

Santo Domingo offers several swimming pools for residents and visitors, including specialized facilities such as Piscina de Clavados, Piscina de Competición, Piscina de Calentamiento, and Piscina de Enseñanza. Whether you're looking for competitive swimming or recreational facilities, Piscina Club Arroyo Hondo and other local pools provide options throughout the city. See all swimming pools →

Piscina de Clavados
2.7 km from centre
Piscina de Competición
2.7 km from centre
Piscina de Calentamiento
2.8 km from centre

Spas in Santo Domingo

We're still gathering spas listings for Santo Domingo — check back soon.

Nightlife in Santo Domingo

Santo Domingo offers a dynamic nightlife scene with venues ranging from dance clubs to casinos. Whether you're looking to experience merengue at Merengue Night Club, try your luck at Casino Napolitano, or explore spots like the v drink, Yovanny Club, and Eclipse, the city's after-dark entertainment options cater to diverse tastes and preferences. See all nightlife →

Casino Napolitano
549 m from centre
Merengue Night Club
730 m from centre
the v drink
1.9 km from centre

Bars in Santo Domingo

Santo Domingo offers a variety of bars where visitors and locals can enjoy drinks and entertainment. From establishments like Navarro and Kapricho to venues such as le studio and Escedeku Bar, the city's bar scene provides options for different tastes and atmospheres. See all bars →

Navarro
92 m from centre
Altagracia Delivery
211 m from centre
Escedeku Bar
304 m from centre

Cafes in Santo Domingo

Santo Domingo offers a variety of cafes where visitors and locals can enjoy coffee and refreshments. From traditional spots to modern establishments like Dumbo Café, Cubaníssimo, La Tacita, Cris Colonial, and Affogato Café, the city's cafe culture provides welcoming spaces throughout the capital. See all cafes →

Dumbo Café
72 m from centre
Cubaníssimo
90 m from centre
La Tacita
96 m from centre

Shopping in Santo Domingo

Santo Domingo offers a variety of shopping destinations for both locals and visitors. From established retailers like Payless and Shoe Source to local favorites such as Centro Mella, Casa Alaxander, and Tienda Miguelito, the city provides diverse options for everyday shopping needs. See all shopping →

Tienda de Liquidacion
219 m from centre
Tienda Miguelito
299 m from centre
Centro Mella
326 m from centre

Nature & Wildlife in Santo Domingo

Santo Domingo offers several parks and natural spaces for visitors to enjoy outdoor activities. Key destinations include Parque Independencia, Parque Carlos Gardel, and Parque Miguel de Cervantes y Saavedra, which provide green spaces throughout the city. See all nature & wildlife →

Parque Independencia
23 m from centre
Courtyard en frente de la Iglesia Las Mercedes
411 m from centre
Plaza Rubén Darío
459 m from centre
Parque Carlos Gardel
461 m from centre
Parque Miguel de Cervantes y Saavedra
473 m from centre
Parque Eduardo Abreu
529 m from centre

Climate snapshot

Santo Domingo enjoys a tropical climate with warm weather throughout the year. The city experiences a rainy season and drier periods, making it a destination suited for year-round travel with some seasonal variation in precipitation.

Interesting Facts About Santo Domingo — Weird & Wonderful

  • Santo Domingo is the largest metropolitan area in the Caribbean by population, with its greater metropolitan area home to over 4.2 million people.
  • The city center had a population of 1,029,110 as of 2022, making it the Dominican Republic's largest urban center.
  • Santo Domingo is coterminous with the boundaries of the Distrito Nacional, bordered on three sides by Santo Domingo Province.

Frequently Asked Questions About Santo Domingo

What is the population of Santo Domingo?

As of 2022, the city center has a population of 1,029,110, while the Greater Santo Domingo metropolitan area has a population of 4,274,651, making it the largest metropolitan area in the Caribbean.

What timezone is Santo Domingo in?

Santo Domingo operates on America/Santo_Domingo timezone.

Is Santo Domingo the capital of the Dominican Republic?

Yes, Santo Domingo is the capital and largest city of the Dominican Republic.

What currency is used in Santo Domingo?

The Dominican Republic uses the Dominican Peso as its official currency.

What language is spoken in Santo Domingo?

Spanish is the official language spoken in Santo Domingo and throughout the Dominican Republic.

Map of Santo Domingo

View larger map · © OpenStreetMap contributors