The 7 best day trips and excursions from Santo Domingo
Ready to enjoy the best day trips from Santo Domingo? In this article, I’ll walk you through the best tours and excursions, that I think are truly worth it and shouldn’t be missed.
Some recommended activities are right in the city, while others are a bit farther out and involve some travel time. I’ll cover the top picks for each, including costs, and share my favorite Santo Domingo tours so you can choose what fits you best.
Excursions in Santo Domingo: Overview
In the main part of this post, you’ll find a detailed breakdown of each excursion, including what’s included, pricing, and the highlights of each option. But if you’d like a quick look at the tours and excursions we’ll be covering, the chart below shows both those within the city and trips that head out from Santo Domingo to other destinations.
I’ve marked my personal favorites with a star, and you can click each link to see prices and book.
| Tours within the city | Day trips from Santo Domingo |
|---|---|
| Ciudad Colonial guided tour ⭐ | Saona island ⭐ |
| Free walking tour | Bahía de las Aguilas |
| Food tour ⭐ | Santo Domingo beaches tour |
| Santo Domingo Full Tour ⭐ | Caves, Rum & Altos de Chavón ⭐ |
Best tours & excursions in Santo Domingo
1. Take a Free Walking Tour of the Colonial City
This Santo Domingo excursion is my top recommendation because it’s a must-do. If you’re looking for a great experience that’s budget-friendly, you won’t want to miss doing a free tour in Santo Domingo—or anywhere else that offers one!
So, what’s a free walking tour? A local guide, will lead you through Santo Domingo’s historic center for 2-3 hours, sharing interesting details and stories about the city while taking you to some of the can’t-miss spots in Santo Domingo.
Booking is completely free, and at the end, you can tip the guide based on how much you enjoyed the tour.
⏩ Book your free walking tour here!
💡 Travel Tip: I personally love free tours wherever I go. However, they’re often canceled or depend on the number of people who show up. So, another option is to book a traditional tour like this one — it’s very affordable and costs about the same as what you’d likely tip on a free tour. Plus, you get the advantage of a guaranteed time slot.
If you’re traveling with a group, consider looking into a private guide, which can actually work out to be even more budget-friendly. The benefits? It’s just your group, so you can ask anything you like, and if there are five or more of you, the price ends up being similar to a shared tour.
2. Foodie experience
Who else loves exploring and tasting the local dishes of each new destination? Then this tour is for you!
Over the course of three hours, you’ll walk with a guide to various spots around the city, sampling traditional Dominican flavors along the way. The tour includes four tastings and is budget-friendly, priced at about $45.
3. Santo Domingo Full tour, visiting Three Eyes National Park
Three Eyes National Park is an underground cave with three natural lagoons that have stunning colors.
The great thing about this tour is that it not only takes you to explore the cave but also includes stops at the Columbus Lighthouse and key city sites, making it a truly all-in-one experience lasting around 6 hours. And the price? About $60.
Only have one day to see the city? Then this would be my top pick!
⏩ Book the most complete Santo Domingo tour here!
Best day trips from Santo Domingo
4. Saona island
The day trip from Santo Domingo to Saona Island is a must if you’re visiting the Dominican Republic!
While most travelers book this trip from Bayahibe or Punta Cana, what if you’re only staying in Santo Domingo? Good news — you can still experience this paradise with a tour from the capital!
The excursion includes a catamaran ride to the island, with a stop at a shallow sandbank in the middle of the sea, home to starfish. A quick note — please don’t touch or lift them out of the water! It’s stressful for them and can cause harm.
The price is around $80, which includes transfers and lunch. Kids get a discount, and those under 4 go for free.
If you can only do one trip during your time here, make it this one! However, if you’ll be in the La Romana area, I recommend booking from there instead.
⏩ Book your day trip to Saona Island
5. Bahía de las Águilas: 2-Day trip from Santo Domingo
Bahia de las Aguilas is a pristine, 8-kilometer beach within Jaragua National Park, often celebrated as one of the most beautiful beaches in the Dominican Republic—and even the world!
Located about a 5-hour drive west of Santo Domingo, visiting from the capital requires an overnight stay, which this tour includes. A single-day trip isn’t practical with 5 hours each way, so this experience covers all transfers, lunch, drinks, park entry fees, and one night’s accommodation for a relaxed, unforgettable visit.
⏩ Book your 2-Day trip to Bahia de las Aguilas here!
6. Beach day in Juan Dolio and Boca Chica
If you’re in Santo Domingo and want a relaxing beach day without spending hours in transit, Juan Dolio is your answer!
Located on the Caribbean coast just about 40 minutes from Santo Domingo, this beach boasts a long stretch of sand, making it one of the most appealing beaches near the capital.
The tour also includes a visit to Boca Chica Beach, another top spot close to the city. The price is around $100 and includes round-trip transportation, breakfast, and lunch.
⏩ Book your tour to Juan Dolio and Boca Chica here
7. Caves, Rum, and Altos de Chavón adventure
If you’re looking for a day trip from Santo Domingo that focuses on culture and landscapes rather than beaches, this tour is an amazing choice!
This complete excursion takes you to three must-see destinations in the Dominican Republic:
- Cueva de las Maravillas: A fascinating underground cave featuring Taíno paintings.
- Ron Barceló Distillery: Tour the distillery and enjoy a tasting.
- Altos de Chavón: A Mediterranean-style village with stunning views over the Chavón River.
The tour is priced around $140, with discounts for children.
Why choose these tours and day trips from Santo Domingo?
I always recommend checking the details for each of the tours from Santo Domingo linked above, but here’s why I personally love these options:
- Stress-Free Transport: Most tours offer convenient pick-up and drop-off at your accommodation.
- Family Savings: Kids under 11 typically pay about half price, and for some activities, young children (under 2–5 years) can join for free—a big plus for family travelers.
- Flexible Booking: Most of these excursions offer free cancellation up to 24 hours or a few days before, giving you peace of mind.
My top excursions
Which tours to take really depends on how many days you’ll spend in the city and where else you’ll be exploring in the Dominican Republic. But if I had to pick from the 7 best Santo Domingo excursions mentioned—and assuming I’m only visiting the capital—my top 3 favorites for a full experience would be:
- Guided City Tour: A must to get a feel for the city.
- Saona island
- Caves, Rum, and Altos de Chavón
⭐ If you’re tight on time and only have one day, the full city tour is your best option. ➥ BOOK IT HERE!
Already have a Dominican itinerary? Share your plans in the comments, and I’ll happily recommend which Santo Domingo tours might be best for you!
