Santo Domingo City - Full Day Tour

The pickup was at 7am and apparently had to walk out of the resort to be picked up. We skipped breakfast as it starts at 7am. Prior conversations indicated a breakfast break some place. That did not happen. We were shuffled to a different vehicle to match the number of the travellers. The guide met us at the Three Eyes Park, we did not see all 3 water bodies, just 1, 3 and for a dollar more, 4. There is a lot of climbing down and up, so if you cannot do it, this is not for u. The guide apparently spoke English, but we had minimal info and conversations with him. He spoke in Spanish way more and was continuously recording something of his own. Taking around common tourist areas as usual, the main places had audio tours. There was no water bottles or anything on the bus, so we had to ask for a stop earlier. Lunch was simple at a clean place, not for vegetarians though. We were obviously walked around "recommended" gift shops and we had to bargain like mad. It wasn't a bad experience but could have been better.

The most memorable attraction was Los 3 Ojos. We felt like we're in a rush all the time, we saw a lot of interesting things only from the car windows. Our guide had an below medium english, a lot of explanations we're in spanish, but only some words in english. Other than that, lunch was okay, we tried some really interesting ice cream. I don't know, some moments we're fun, but most of the times we just wanted to be finished and go home.

The drivers don’t speak any english. I was picked up and driven to another meeting point. No one told me before. A tourist in the van told me to get out because I didn’t know the driver was talking to me (spanish). The diver from the van who brought us to SD also didn’t speak english. When I told him I don’t speak spanish he gave me his phone and I had to communicate via google translate. The van was also overcrowded, it was a mini van and in the front are usually 1,5 seats which I had to share with another tourist. I was very happy when we arrived in SD and we got a tour guide who finally spoke english and translated everything for me. The tour itself was ok, but there was n9 shopping. To tell me we do have 30min time for shopping when he only directed us to 1 shop where You can buy tourist stuff is a broken promise. I also didn’t like to wait there for more than 30min until everybody was finished, i didn’t want to buy any of these things, would have been better to direct us to a shopping street where you can chose where you wanna spent 30min. Shopping instead just 1 store. When we went to the cave there is a boat to go to the other side which costs 50 pesos or 1 Dollar. I didn’t know I have to pay any additional money! There was nothing said in the excursion on viator.com nor did anyone said anything upfront. I only had Euros with me (bills) And happily a 50cent coin which I gave them. This was a desaster. And its not about the 50pesos but that they didn’t tell you upfront. On the way back there were some bags on the seats in the front and the the woman I shared the seats just took them on her lap. I didn’t want to carry any bags from someone for 2 hours on my lap! Not to mention that it is rude not to even ask if we could do a favor as there was no space in the car where to put them. I asked the driver and of course he didn’t understand and gave me his phone with google translate. He put then one bag under his drivers seat and the other one we left in the front on the floor. I really don’t pay for a tour to carry someone elses belongings which is more than unprofessional especially not even to think about asking the guest and look at me what I want when I showed him the bags on my seat. I dont pay him to run private errands and if he does so when we are away it shouldnt bother me afterwards in any way. So the behaviour is absolutely unacceptable. The driver also didn’t wear a mask and I doubt that there was anything desinfected in the car. At least I cannot complain about Leo the tour guide he was nice. The lunch was ok but nothing special and I know that carribean cuisine has more to offer than what they gave us for lunch. The whole trip was very disappointing and I wouldn’t recommand this tour with this operator.

This was a great experience. You get to see a bit of everything which is great! It takes a bit to get going because of picking up groups from different locations but that didn’t bother me. I was a bit nervous since I was traveling alone and don’t speak Spanish but the driver was great and Leo the tour guide was AMAZING at explaining in English and Spanish! Leo certainly made this trip amazing. We got to see Los 3 Ojos, the Columbus Lighthouse and House, a cathedral, the president’s house, walk the streets in Santo Domingo, souvenir shop, a few others I’m sure I’m forgetting and have lunch (included). We did have to move a bit quickly so that we could see everything but it wasn’t rushed. It’s a very long day because of the ride to and from Santo Domingo so I would suggest packing snacks/drinks (or grab some at the gas station main meeting point) and dressing comfortably. I was picked up at 7:20 and returned to my hotel around 6:20. Awesome awesome experience!!

The guide Leo was excelente and so was the driver! He opened doors for me and bought me a snack and was really cool with me. The driver also share his cola with me. Very generous of them. I’m just sad I had to learn about Christopher Columbus. I’ve heard enough about him my entire life. Lol. Over all, a very great tour. Nice shopping and good food.

If I could leave more than five stars I would. Our driver Miguel was excellent and our guide Leo was amazing as well. I was the only English speaking participant. Leo made sure to explain in English Spanish. He was extremely knowledgeable about so many historical monuments as well as dates of historical significance. The last stop of tour I think was a surprise so I will leave it a surprise but it was incredible. Would definitely recommend. Make sure to bring comfortable shoes a hat and sunscreen there is a lot of walking but that should be expected. Lastly we did stop at a couple tourist/souvenir shops. Be leery of the salespeople. Make sure me know how much you are spending in your native currency. They will take advantage otherwise.

Thank you for organizing a transfer from Domenicus area for me to be able to join the group from Punta Cana! Really appreciated! However the tour guide was not very knowledgeable. The informational part was very poor.

Perfect trip during the week to see the life of Dominican Republic in action. True life and culture.

One couple from Columbia; one couple from Hungary; one couple from USA. Two amazing translators/tour guides; a safe driver even on two-way one-lane streets. One fantastic day! Learned so much. Excellent lunch. Highly recommend!

The tour and tour guide was amazing. Definitely worth it. Prepare to walk alot and Tres Ojos has what seems likes never ending stair bit well worth it. Seeing the Colonial Zone was awesome and the tour guide was like a living book of history. On the bad side. Our driver from Punta Cana and back was extremely unprofessional making two personal stops for his own gain and now explaining why we stopped.