Early Exit EXPLORER

My first week in Santo Domingo has been very noteworthy, but first let me start with a very important fact: there is no beach here. And before anyone says it, Boca Chica is NOT a beach. Now that we have that out of the way, Santo Domingo so far has been a nice surprise.

One of the first things I noticed about the city is how many American fast-food places there are. Walking around you’ll see places like McDonald’s, Burger King, Wendy’s, and KFC. It almost feels like you’re in the United States at times, which I didn’t really expect. At the same time, it shows how international this city really is.

So far I have spent a lot of time in an area called Zona Colonial, and it is an amazing place filled with culture and history. This historic district is essentially the heart of the city. It’s where people come to eat, grab drinks, listen to music, party, or simply walk around and enjoy the atmosphere. The streets are lined with old colonial buildings, colorful walls, and small restaurants and cafés that give the entire area a unique charm.

There are also so many historical landmarks to see while walking through the area. One of them is the beautiful Cathedral Primada de América, which is considered the oldest cathedral in the Americas. Just seeing the architecture and realizing how long it has stood there is impressive. Another place worth visiting is the Alcázar de Colón, which was the former palace of Diego Columbus, the son of Christopher Columbus. Today it serves as a museum and gives a glimpse into what life was like during the early colonial period.

Not far from there you can also find the ruins of the Hospital San Nicolás de Bari, which is believed to be the oldest hospital in the Americas. Walking through these ruins really makes you think about how much history this city has witnessed over the centuries.

Since landing in Santo Domingo, I can honestly say that I feel satisfied with my decision to come here. The city has a unique energy to it. It’s busy, vibrant, and full of life, yet at the same time it holds so much history in its streets and buildings. I’m still very early into my time here, but if the first week is any indication, there will be plenty more to explore and experience in the weeks ahead.