From AILA to the Colonial Zone: Your First Day in Santo Domingo
Santo Domingo is the first city founded by Europeans in the Americas, and its Colonial Zone is easy to explore in a single day. If you land at Las Américas Airport (SDQ), you can be there in under an hour.
The route
When you leave the airport, take the Autopista de Las Américas heading west. The highway runs along the Caribbean Sea and enters the city across the Ozama River; from there, the Colonial Zone is just a few minutes away. Without traffic the drive takes around 30 minutes; at rush hour it can take twice as long.
Tips for the road:
- Use a navigation app and check traffic before you leave.
- Bring cash in pesos for the toll.
- Respect the speed limits: there are checkpoints on the highway.
Where to park
The streets of the Colonial Zone are narrow, and many are pedestrian-only or one-way. The most practical option is to leave the car in a guarded parking lot on the edge of the historic center and explore on foot. If you're staying there, ask your hotel whether it has parking.
What to see in a day
- Calle El Conde, the liveliest pedestrian street, lined with shops and cafés.
- Catedral Primada de América, the first cathedral in the Americas.
- Fortaleza Ozama, overlooking the river.
- Calle Las Damas, considered the first street laid out in the Americas.
- Alcázar de Colón and Plaza de España, best at sunset.
To end the day
In the late afternoon, drive a few minutes to the Malecón, the seafront avenue. It's a great place to watch the sunset before dinner.
Remember: our AILA counter is open 24 hours, so you can pick up your car whatever time you land. Pick your dates and book.