Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic - day 1

In Feb 2025 I set off on a Fred Olsen cruise to the Caribbean and Central America. After visiting St Maarten and British Virgin Islands, our next stop was Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic. We had an overnight stop here and I really enjoyed it. 

I have been to the Dominican Republic once before, on a cruise, when we stopped at La Romana on the southeast end of the country. So this time it was nice to see the capital. Before arriving many people were saying it would be unsafe going into town, but I found it to be really pleasant with no signs of any problems. Also there were police everywhere in the main tourist areas. 

We approached the Dominican Republic in afternoon as we sailed along the coast. Santo Domingo has a lot of high rise buildings and reminded me of a mini Panama City. The cruise terminal is on the Ozama River, and on our left is the 15 m tall Monument to Friar Antonio of Montesino. A Spaniard, he was the first European to publicly denounce the enslavement and harsh treatment of the indigenous peoples of the island. The statue shows him delivering his sermon. 

We docked at Sans Souci, which is a large new terminal and these characters greeted us -

I got on the first shuttle bus into town. It was rush hour and there was a big traffic jam. The bus goes over the floating bridge and stops by the walls, at the Zona Colonial. 

The Colonial City of Santo Domingo is a UNESCO World Heritage site. "After Christopher Columbus's arrival on the island in 1492, Santo Domingo became the site of the first cathedral, hospital, customs house and university in the Americas. This colonial town, founded in 1498, was laid out on a grid pattern".

I set off on a long walk and didn’t feel unsafe at all. So many police around everywhere, families were out, people walking pet dogs, youngsters enjoying the evening. There is obviously money as lots of big cars, nice cafes and bars etc. The cathedral in the main square -

Casa de Tostado is one of the oldest houses and the window above the door is a Gothic style mullioned window from the 16th c. Mullion - thick vertical or horizontal strips between adjoining windows -

My legs grew longer as I walked -

The side of the cathedral -

Colon Park, and the Palacio Consistorial, town hall -

The town is laid out on a grid pattern, with narrow streets. The main thoroughfare is pedestrianised. 

The Edificio Saviñón -

Iglesia y Convento Regina Angelorum, The Regina Angelorum Church, Queen of the Angels -

Iglesia de Nuestra Senora del Carmen, Our Lady of Carmen -

Across the road from the Havana lounge I saw an interesting building, so stuck my head in and was beckoned in by someone inside. It was part of the Casa de Teatro, or cultural centre -

I then headed for the Ozama Fort. As it was almost 7 pm I didn't want to pay to go in as the light was fading, so just took a photo from the entrance, with our ship in the background -

16th century tower with the modern flour mill behind -

The National Pantheon, also known as the Pantheon of the Fatherland, was originally a Jesuit church, and now is a mausoleum where the remains of prominent figures in its history are preserved. Photo is Plaza María de Toledo -

The light was fading fast as I got to the Museum of the Royal Houses. It was the Palace of the Real Audiencia of Santo Domingo, called then Edificio de las Casas Reales, and it is the first (oldest) headquarters of Spanish power in the New World

I had a good view of the ship, then decided to head back.

Plaza de la Hispanidad or Spain -

That evening a local dance group gave a cultural performance on the ship -

Dominican Republic flag -