Santo Domingo

We set off for the capital in the early morning hours. This is a full day program. On request it can be extended into a two day trip with an overnight stay in the old town.

Our first stop is the Cave of Wonders where we walk through a limestone cave system with paved paths and see cave drawings related to the rituals of the Taíno people. In Taíno culture caves were sacred places because they believed the world and humankind emerged from caves.

In the capital we begin at Lago Tres Ojos where we visit three underground lakes and take a small boat to see a fourth one. Sunlight enters through natural openings in the collapsed limestone ceiling which gives the water its blue tone. The lakes are fed by underground water sources so the water is always clear and transparent.

We continue past the lighthouse where the alleged remains of Christopher Columbus are kept unless there is a special request to visit the interior. The building is shaped like a cross and during certain celebrations the entire structure is illuminated.

Next we head to the main square of the old town. We have lunch either on the main square or after visiting the first hospital of the New World at Plaza Colón. Everyone chooses freely according to their taste. Along the way we can observe wild parrots. The hospital was founded in the early sixteenth century and was the first place in the New World where European medicine was practiced.

After lunch we visit the House of Diego Columbus from the outside until it reopens for interior visits. The palace was built in the early sixteenth century and served as the residence of the colonial governor. From here we walk to the first cathedral of the American continent which was the seat of the first archdiocese of the New World. The building blends late Gothic and early Renaissance elements using local limestone. We also walk through streets that already existed in the time of Columbus. These were the first planned streets on the continent.

At the end of the day we make our own chocolate bars. We learn about the mechanized process of chocolate making including roasting grinding and tempering. Dominican cocoa is naturally smooth and less acidic which makes the final chocolate flavor especially clean. While the chocolate sets we can enjoy a coffee.

The last part of the program can be replaced or extended according to time and interest with a visit to Altos de Chavón which lies along our return route. It is a replica of a sixteenth century Mediterranean style village where we take a walk and enjoy an ice cream. The village was designed by Italian craftsmen in the nineteen seventies and today hosts an art school and concerts. The supplement for this activity is 20 USD. It is available only if we leave the city by fifteen fifteen due to access time restrictions. A prior authorization is required and passport images must be sent one day before.

Afterwards we return to the hotels arriving late in the evening.

The price of the program is 149 USD per person.

The tour runs with a minimum of 4 participants with prior arrangement.

For larger groups discounted pricing is available.