How to Find Cheap Hotels in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

The largest city in the Dominican Republic, Santo Domingo is considered the Western Hemisphere's first European city. A colony established in in 1492 by Christopher Columbus evolved into a settlement with Gothic architecture and cobblestone streets. Now, Santo Domingo finds itself at the center of the tourism boom in the Dominican Republic. Shopping centers, beach resorts and a National Aquarium mix with the city's historic appeal. You can find reasonably cheap accommodations with a little research.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Travel guide
• Computer with Internet connection

Know Your Destination

1. Attend Mass at Catedral Primada de America, the First Cathedral of the New World. Drink a bottle of locally brewed Presidente beer while at Boca Chica beach. Also, you may be interested in seeing Columbus Lighthouse--a wonderfully modern structure housing the remains of Christopher Columbus.

2. Step into the Colonial Zone to see Santo Domingo's original colony founded in 1492. Some facilities are still used today.

3. Shop at El Conde, the street where shops, gifts, restaurants and banks cater to the many visiting tourists. If you want to shop where the locals shop, check out Calle Del Conde, a huge outdoor market near the commercial district.

Transportation in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

4. Fly into America's International Airport, 32 km outside of Santo Domingo.

5. Take privately owned buses from the airport and between cities in the Dominican Republic. While in Santo Domingo, look to OMSA buses for the cheapest form of transit and look to taxis for the easiest way to get around. A metro line is slated to finish construction in 2008.

Accommodations in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

6. To book accommodations, contact Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism at [phone] or visit their Web site (see Resources, below). You can stay in the Colonial Zone, also known as "Zona Colonial," where you can find a hostel. Most hostels average around $15 per person, per night. There are numerous cheap hotels in this area, as well.

7. Search for hotels in Santo Domingo's financial and commercial district. This district is near the shopping centers but features accommodations at a savings.

8. Camp at a surfer's camp in Boca Choca beach for $20.

9. Rent a villa in or near Santo Domingo. Villa rentals are gaining popularity, and though renting a villa is not as cheap as staying in hostels, the price can be comparable if you travel in a large enough group.

Tips & Warnings

• Travel in late spring or early fall to avoid high rates brought on by an influx of visiting Europeans in the summer.
• Protect your health by drinking only bottled water and avoiding food from street vendors.
• June through October is hurricane season.
• Wear mosquito repellent to protect against dengue fever.