Dominican Republic Sightseeing Guide
Exploring Sightseeing Wonders in the Dominican Republic
Sightseeing here means four very different landscapes, and a Punta Cana beach chair only shows you one of them.
Santo Domingo
The Zona Colonial holds some of the oldest European architecture in the Americas, centered on the Catedral Primada de América, consecrated in 1541, and the Alcázar de Colón. Cathedral entry runs roughly RD$60 to RD$100 and the Alcázar around RD$100; both are open most days but confirm hours before you go, since the Alcázar closes on Mondays. A Zona Colonial walking tour on GetYourGuide pairs both sites in one booking.
Los Tres Ojos
On the east side of Santo Domingo, this open-air limestone sinkhole holds three connected freshwater lagoons plus a fourth reached by a short raft crossing. Entry runs roughly RD$125 to RD$200 and the raft ride is a separate add-on fee.
Altos de Chavón and La Romana
This replica hillside village above the Chavón River charges $50 for adults and $25 for children, waived with a restaurant reservation inside the village. Casa de Campo resort guests pay a reduced rate of around $5; the Casa de Campo visitor site lists current gate hours.
Samaná
Los Haitises National Park is boat-access only from Samaná or Sabana de la Mar, at $90 to $160 per person, and holds mangrove channels plus Taíno cave paintings at San Gabriel. From January 15 through March 31, the same waters host humpback whales, watched under an 80-meter approach rule with a marine biologist required aboard every licensed boat. El Limón Waterfall, reached by horse or on foot, adds a freshwater swimming basin to the trip. A Los Haitises boat tour on Viator lists departures from both towns.
27 Charcos de Damajagua
Near Puerto Plata, this canyon of 27 limestone pools runs about RD$700 to RD$1,500 with a mandatory guide, helmet and life vest. The first pools have a minimum age around 7 to 8, and the operator recommends the full circuit only from about 12.
Practical notes
The Dominican peso is the local currency; resorts and tour desks quote and settle in US dollars as standard practice. Tap water is not drinkable anywhere in the country. The US State Department rates the country Level 2, its ordinary increased-caution tier, the same one it gives France and the UK, citing crime rather than anything specific to the tourist corridors. The official tourism site lists current hours for most of the sites above. For a walking-focused version of the colonial sites, see the walking tours page .