10 Things to Do in Dominican Republic on a Small Budget

The Zona Colonial in Santo Domingo is the city where Columbus first landed and offers centuries-old architecture, quaint local shops, sidewalk cafes, and a step back in time. This region is in many ways the cultural heart and soul of the Dominican Republic, and the main thoroughfare, Calle El Conde, is a walkable avenue that's popular among window shoppers and for dining.

In this city, you'll see not only preserved buildings but historic ruins as well as local residential homes. Whether you're having pizza in a restored building from 500 years ago or just walking the streets in the shade, this is a wonderful place to soak up Dominican culture.

The Nuestra Señora de la Encarnación is a basilica in central Santo Domingo offering a chance to see the oldest standing cathedral in the Americas, with stunning Gothic architecture. The cathedral is dedicated to St. Mary of the Incarnation and was erected in 1541. It's fronted with a stunning gold-tinted limestone façade and is a rare example of true Gothic architecture (as opposed to neo-Gothic) outside of Europe. Many notable historic figures are buried here, and inside, you will experience a treasury of paintings, furniture, retablos, sculpture, and other artwork.

This basilica is a functioning church, so visitors are asked to pay respect to people praying here. It's a fascinating place for students of history, architecture, or art.

Parque Colón, or Columbus Park, is the public town square in the Ciudad Colonial Historic District of Santo Domingo, offering a giant statue of Columbus and surrounded by historic buildings. From here, you can see important structures dating to the 15th century when Columbus landed here, including cathedrals, the portico of Palacio Borgella, and the Palacio Consistorial. This is a central place for the historic district and the starting point for your excursions to explore hundreds of years of history.

The park itself is brick-paved with the towering statue at its center and is populated by locals and visitors alike. It's about 25 minutes from the center of Santo Domingo.

Parque de Los Tres Ojos, or Park of the Three Eyes, is a national park that offers an exploration of limestone caves with three unique lakes inside. These lakes are what give the park its name, and are accessed down a long flight of stairs. They are called Aguas Azufradas, La Nevera, and Las Damas. Later, a "fourth eye," Los Zaramagullones, was discovered, and can be seen from above. It's important to understand that swimming is not permitted inside the lakes. You can, however, get a boat to explore if you like, or you can explore on foot.

The park is an easy jaunt from Santo Domingo by car. It's only about a 26-minute drive to the east.

Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de Las Mercedes is an important national shrine in the state of La Vega and a stunning example of Gothic and baroque architecture. Today, it is the location of a Dominican Academy of History. The building dates to 1530 and celebrates an important figure in Dominican spiritual culture, the patron saint of the country.

This church towers over Calle Las Mercedes and was constructed to establish Catholic dominance in the New World. The church has survived natural disasters, pirate invasions, and other dangers. It features astounding Gothic and baroque architecture and art. It's a functioning church and hosts many important events and masses throughout the year.

Plaza de la Hispanidad, or Plaza España Square in Santo Domingo, is a monumental town square with a statue of the city's founder and a sun clock dating to 1753. This square is a centerpiece of the neighborhood in which it sits and honors Nicolás de Ovando on the banks of the river. It's a gateway to many historic structures and regions as well as a central place to explore local nightlife with many restaurants and bars.

This is a unique place to visit because it lets you experience history and modern culture all in one spot. It's about 30 minutes east of the center of town.

Playa Bavaro is considered by some to be the main beach of the Punta Cana region with endless stretches of powder-soft sand, clear turquoise waters, and tons of local resorts. People come here to be pampered, but one of the best-kept secrets of the region is that the beach also has 2 public access points and is completely free to visit and use. This stretch of beach is among the widest in the area and is lined with lovely swaying palm trees.

Overall, it's a spectacular place to bring your loved one or the family to just relax and swim in the ocean. Playa Bavaro is just an 18-minute drive north of the heart of Punta Cana.

The Monumento a Los Héroes de la Restauración, or the Monumento de Santiago, is one of the tallest buildings in its city and offers green space and lovely city views. The monument is in Santiago de los Caballeros and sits on a hill overlooking the city. Surrounding it is a park that the public enjoys for recreation and green space.

The monument was erected in 1944 and was called Trujillo's Monument to Peace, ordered by the current leader in his own honor on the centennial of the Dominican War for Independence. That leader was assassinated in 1961, after which the government changed the name and dedication to honor the heroes of the Dominican Restoration War.

Playa Macao is a white sand beach in Punta Cana that offers outstanding surfing conditions and water sports and is a local favorite where you can relax and play. Surfers flock here for the great waves, while locals and vacationers come here to enjoy the pristine beach conditions. The beach offers several oceanfront restaurants serving up fresh seafood and local Dominican side dishes. It's a wonderful place to come whether you want to surf, swim, or just be a beach bum and people watch.

Playa Macao is located around a 35-minute drive to the north of downtown Punta Cana. It's an easy scenic drive up the coast, and you'll get to interact with local culture.

The Pantheon of the Fatherland, or more formally the National Pantheon of the Dominican Republic, is a historic structure that serves as the burial place of honored Republic citizens. The building was erected in 1746 and originally served as a Jesuit church. The architecture is a neoclassical Renaissance style. By 1767, it had become a tobacco warehouse, then was converted to a theater. From 1917 to 1956, it was a government office building.

By 1956, it was renovated to serve as a national mausoleum. Today, it houses the remains of such notable figures as Jose Gabriel Garcia and Francisco Gregoria Billini. It stands in the heart of Santo Domingo as a tribute to the Republic and its history.