The lively streets of Santo Domingo’s Zona Colonial—one of the city’s most historic neighborhoods—are ripe with the sights, smells, and sounds of Latin America.
Lying on cobblestone streets, Santo Domingo's Zona Colonial marks the area where Columbus settled in the New World. This tiny enclave is filled with traditional European-style architecture, well-kept parks, cobblestone streets, and artistic nods to adventurers past.
A bronze statue of Christopher Columbus sits at the center of Parque Colon, and nearby Calle Las Damas is the oldest paved road in the New World. These historic sites, paired with incredible colonial architecture, are just part of what makes this UNESCO World Heritage Site a popular destination for those who want to experience the nation’s capital as it used to be.
Some of the attraction in Zona colonial-
* Catedral Primada de América
* Fortaleza Ozama
* Parque Colón (Columbus Park)
* Palacio Consistorial de Santo Domingo
* Alcázar de Colón
* Plaza España
* Casa del Cordón
Musicians and street performers frequent the square, shoe shiners set up along the street side, and children chase pigeons around the statue of Christopher Columbus, which stands in the center.
One thing I can suggest: Don’t go with any tour. normally 90% of the time we explore the city on our own but I was afraid of driving the car in the city so booked city tour, but they were more focused on giving more time in their designated gift shop and less time in city attractions.
Everywhere, they explained about that spot for 5 minutes and gave JUST 5 MINS TO EXPLORE THE ATTRACTION ON OUR OWN AND TAKE PHOTOS"... in 5 minutes, my wife can’t even decide the pose.. you can feel my plight, right?