Review: Puerto Plata to Santo Domingo City Tour – Is it Worth it?
Planning a trip to the Dominican Republic, like maybe to Puerto Plata, and wondering if a day trip all the way to Santo Domingo is, say, doable? That’s the question I wrestled with before booking the “From Puerto Plata to Santo Domingo City Tour (Lunch Optional).” Having taken the tour, I’m going to, actually, share my experience so that you can decide if it’s, that is, the thing for you.
The Long Road – Transportation and Initial Impressions
Okay, first things first: the drive is long, a bit over three hours, yet expect to, kind of, spend some time inside a vehicle. The buses, those ones, are typically air-conditioned and mostly roomy enough. The views, though, are nice – that is, picture rolling hills, little communities, plus so many sugarcane fields, all which provide a window onto Dominican life outside the resort walls. Even, actually, bring a book or download a show, if you can, just, like your battery dies or anything. It’s good to, very, very much have something to do if you want to, that is, pass the time.
The tour guides are generally a blend – I mean, I think so! My guide was super friendly and appeared to, really, understand both Dominican history as well as current events. While there are some tours you go on that are not very captivating, but thankfully that didn’t appear to, kind of, be the case. He sprinkled jokes and stories, actually, between the historical facts, which seemed to help keep people happy during, really, such a lengthly drive. The highway system, too it’s almost pretty solid, the bus drivers are fairly skilled; the overall ride, basically, while extended, it’s manageable.
Walking Back in Time: Exploring the Colonial Zone
Santo Domingo’s Zona Colonial, that’s a UNESCO World Heritage site. Like that description almost doesn’t do the place justice, it can be said, that that part felt like stepping inside a period of the past. Cobblestone streets, very, very aged buildings with intricate stonework, they could just be, the scene is, frankly, picture-worthy at literally every single corner. In some respects, I, basically, really appreciated seeing how old these buildings really are! We spent a solid part of the day simply roaming close to the Colonial Zone. In some respects, I like wandering to get my bearings.
The tour often emphasizes spots like the Calle Las Damas, so that is the first paved street found inside of the Americas, together with the Alcázar de Colón, yet the residence that belongs to Christopher Columbus’s son. You’re able to wander inside these landmarks, to be fair, too. Be aware that even if it feels awesome exploring a building in person it won’t always result, you know, in good picture! The Alcázar especially comes packed with so many Renaissance art as well as period furniture, basically it provided, arguably, a window into that luxury found within the Spanish colonial life. Most of these excursions provide led visits. The guides know of all of the hidden stories, like which building once served like, well, some other building, and so on.
The Catedral Primada de América, too it’s almost definitely a stop. Basically, actually that cathedral happens to be jaw-dropping; you understand, like it basically stands as evidence that, at the end of the day, for so long Santo Domingo was pretty significant during, as a matter of fact, early Spanish colonization times. My advice? Make, like, sure that you are using decent walking shoes. That cobblestone appears to be neat for some photos, but not always extremely convenient for getting around for a prolonged amount of time.
Lunch and Local Flavors: An Optional Feast
Almost, though some tours involve it included as part of the package, you, that is, may come across one, really, really where lunch might not be a mandatory component on such a tour. Should it come included, then more or less usually that features some kind of buffet at, really, a local place. You’re getting, kind of, something such as rice and beans, maybe stewed chicken and tostones – that’s smashed, then fried plantains. We were able to, arguably, partake in a cold beverage with it.
The restaurant options, those ones, might not exactly be like something really special. However, the dinner provides, well, something great: getting trying some real Dominican food if perhaps you happen to have eaten at, you know, say your hotel that caters with the hopes of, basically, visitors. That lunch serves to give one, like yourself the chance to be getting a sense to sample those tastes. Now, by the way, when you decline, then you, sort of, have to, say, acquire lunch yourselves. There does exist countless of different small cafes all within the Colonial Zone that have sandwiches as well as something fast; for instance, in fact, you are able to, sort of, decide to find something you are craving or need.
Beyond the Buildings: Culture and People
Santo Domingo is clearly more than cobblestone streets plus buildings that are old; that it provides that taste with, like Dominican customs along with traditions. You’re able to see so many natives doing normal routines around all the parks plus, that is, so many plazas; particularly around all of the Plaza de España. Allow your self, perhaps, the period getting absorbing some all of that setting if perhaps your tour help you.
You should possibly be purchasing mementos and things to consider picking to do; if you like I recommend checking on the regional artisans when, that is, doing visits in Santo Domingo. You understand there should be lots of places giving something like jewelry done with amber. You might find several artwork in the region that could, by the way, reveal creative skill. Bear as the main priority you should haggle in the event when pricing should be like this which you almost want so that you acquire more, you may want, however, in order to do therefore please remember to usually get, just, dealt with with kind regards, that is key.
Something that you might love regarding taking trips for this style should that show you much away from those places such as, perhaps, resorts plus offer several additional views, if you do wish that Dominican culture be considered closer you need seriously contemplate this tour. You understand, kind of, to do that might you should receive the occasion of learning a bunch more and acquiring appreciation.
Things to Consider Before You Book
Here are only some short considerations that help you prepare to, clearly, secure one of these: ensure one understands precisely length be allocated so you could handle. Those day outings, you understand, normally get conducted along some very lengthy daytime time period! Put sunscreen as well as any chapeau you decide. Find a comfortable strolling footwear in order to move safely close to a few cobble- stone roadways as found right over this zone.
It’s essential so, you, bring certain hard earned funds with you. Whereas you can acquire meals generally built included generally in just packages a bit there remain numerous more you may spend. Consider beverages. Mementos will become essential whenever on these day tours to just remember the spot. Moreover bear in mind when going to holy ground it truly becomes generally required anyone handles apparel appropriately. Always show honor whilst moving.
Remembering the safety as you, actually, explore is still, really, rather vital too. Always make, kind of, certain which you’re knowing on place that really goes round everyone, so often not often, perhaps alone. Check out reviews to know of, well, all of your possible tourism operator so which, basically, you’re getting things handled while by working with a trustworthy party. You should confirm travel insurance is active which always, as I was saying, offers assurance when traveling overseas!
So, Is It Worth It?
Very well, back that the initial query – do I reckon I got to recommend travelling nearly completely off Santo Domingo leaving Puerto Plata is very worth that? I should show this be dependent for things. Do I should say those journey’s worth that if there’s deep fascination together during experiences involving those times or the past. Whenever one only would you plan getting a bit while those resort and be obtaining an occasional swimming while perhaps, obviously, lounging inside any pool but never should seriously contemplate learning any type new parts then you do may find that to get far very.
The actual trip seems prolonged; this really is clear which might be better whenever breaking apart for a couple mornings at only one region whilst. At the same, as a matter of fact you’ll find really very several tours there get you off resort communities to generally allow a bit extra to witness precisely at how those natives basically spend lives in such the Dominican Republique as generally I value and the one something that makes doing travelling well advantageous.
On the long travel, or anything; if you understand such as anything you will love obtaining in person close some kind destination by being really able discover and obtaining so there is usually nothing a bit wrong whenever taking from, more or less, it; however whether periods you just want to experience holidays through laying down while beaches maybe this vacation may do you far really.
In the end, after the lengthy trip, if you understand to go during deep by which really stands that capital regarding the Dominican Republique, but just seeing really several new pieces for which culture comes associated you is really gonna see as these travel deserves. In short for a bunch of tourist attractions one trip gives some glimpse over Dominican records as the way you’d actually look it for any. With the lengthy trips, these history combined for experiencing is it value that it seems?