More than 20 kilometres of beach, an expansive stretch of sand and dunes, and views from the Mirador Puntilla Santa Isabel reveal different sides of Santo Domingo. The town also has a historic centre that includes the Parroquia de Santo Domingo, one of its founding buildings. When planning, it helps to ask a simple question about your priorities: are you mainly interested in beaches and dunes, coastal views or local history? Parque Los Quillayes adds to these themes with a freely accessible volleyball court and outdoor play equipment for children.
Beaches and dunes
The coast of Santo Domingo includes more than 20 kilometres of beach. Playa Marbella stands out for its expansive stretch of sand and dunes, which is ideal for walking or relaxing. At Santo Domingo’s beaches, you can also make sunbathing and walking a priority in both winter and summer. The coast is therefore not associated with just one season. At Playa Marbella, exercise and a break go hand in hand with a landscape of sand and dunes; the beaches also provide a setting for sunbathing and walks in both of those seasons. If you are planning a stay focused on the coast, you can choose between beach activities and the distinctive landscape of sand and dunes.
Views and local history
From the Mirador Puntilla Santa Isabel, you can see the sea, the mouth of the Río Maipo and the coast of San Antonio Province. The viewpoint is also part of the historic centre of the seaside resort of Rocas de Santo Domingo. Here, landscape views and local history come together in one specific place. Its focus differs from Playa Marbella: there, sand and dunes, along with walking or relaxing, take centre stage; at the Mirador, the view encompasses the sea, river mouth and coast. If you distinguish between these two places according to the experience you want, beach time offers a contrast to views of several clearly defined landscape features.
The Parroquia de Santo Domingo is one of the founding buildings in the historic centre. It was designed by the firm Smith Solar & Smith Miller and inaugurated in 1953. It is located on Avenida El Golf, a few steps from the main entrance to the Club de Golf. Its design, year of inauguration and location give the building a distinct historical significance. The Parroquia thus complements the Mirador as a cultural focus: at the church, the building’s history and its role in the town centre take centre stage, while at the Mirador, history is connected with views of the coastal landscape.
Leisure and education
Parque Los Quillayes has a freely accessible volleyball court and outdoor play equipment for children. These are two different leisure activities in the same place: volleyball and outdoor play. If you would like to look beyond the coast when choosing activities, the park offers another specific focus.
Parque de la Ciencia offers a different experience. It is a non-profit organisation dedicated to education in science and new technologies. The park’s activities contribute to the holistic education of young people. Topics include environmental awareness, renewable energy, recycling and sustainable habits. Education is the focus here, from science and technology to environmental and everyday issues. This focus differs from the leisure activities at Parque Los Quillayes and the coastal landscape and cultural themes.
Santo Domingo on the coastal route
The Litoral de los Poetas coastal route stretches from Algarrobo to Santo Domingo, making the town the route’s endpoint. This adds a broader coastal context to the local highlights. When choosing your destination, you can weigh up the different options separately: the landscape of sand and dunes, the view from the Mirador, local history, and the different leisure and educational themes.
Discover more destinations: San Antonio, Cartagena, Algarrobo, El Tabo, El Quisco.
Go to the main travel overview: San Antonio.
