Weird & Unusual Attractions in Santo Domingo Este, Dominican Republic
1. Parque Mirador del Sur
A unique park offering panoramic views of Santo Domingo Este and the Caribbean Sea. Unique for its modern architecture and the vibrant street art.
- Street Art: Features a collection of colorful and creative murals by local and international artists.
- Modern Architecture: Offers an interesting contrast to the historical sites in Santo Domingo Este.
- Panoramic Views: Provides a breathtaking view of the city and the sea.
2. La Zona Colonial de Santo Domingo
A UNESCO World Heritage Site with a mix of Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque architecture. Unique for being the oldest European settlement in the New World.
- Oldest Settlement: It dates back to 1496, making it the oldest European settlement in the Americas.
- Mixed Architecture: Showcases a fascinating blend of Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque architectural styles.
- Historic Significance: A testament to the early history of the New World.
3. El Museo de los Tesoros
Houses the largest collection of Amber in the world. Unique for its extensive collection and the potential discovery of dinosaur fossils.
- Largest Amber Collection: Has over 2,000 pieces of amber, making it the largest collection in the world.
- Dinosaur Fossils: Potential discovery of dinosaur fossils within the amber pieces.
- Educational Exhibits: Offers interactive exhibits and informative displays about the formation and history of amber.
4. Casa de los Tres Mundos
A unique house designed by architect Oscar Tavarez, inspired by three different cultures. Unique for its fusion of African, Japanese, and Dominican architectural elements.
- Fusion Architecture: Blends African, Japanese, and Dominican architectural styles in a single residence.
- Cultural Symbolism: Symbolizes the cultural diversity of Santo Domingo Este through its unique design.
- Artistic Expression: Serves as an artistic expression of the architect's multicultural background.
5. Parque Nacional Los Tres Ojos
An underground limestone cave system with three natural pools. Unique for its clear turquoise waters and the stalactites within the caves.
- Underground Cave System: A network of underground limestone caves featuring three natural pools.
- Turquoise Waters: The clear, turquoise waters create a stunning visual experience.
- Stalactites: Features numerous stalactites within the caves, adding to their mystique.
6. Parque National Altar de la Patria
The burial site of Christopher Columbus. Unique for its historical significance and the fusion of Gothic and Renaissance architectural styles.
- Historical Significance: Serves as the final resting place of Christopher Columbus.
- Gothic-Renaissance Architecture: Combines Gothic and Renaissance architectural styles, showcasing the rich history of Santo Domingo Este.
- National Monument: Designated as a national monument, it is an important historical landmark in Santo Domingo Este.
7. Parque Nacional Los Haitises
A mangrove forest with numerous caves and ancient petroglyphs. Unique for its biodiversity, caves, and historical artifacts.
- Biodiversity: Home to a variety of flora and fauna, including the critically endangered West Indian manatee.
- Caves and Petroglyphs: Features numerous caves with ancient petroglyphs, offering insights into the history of the region.
- Historical Artifacts: Contains historical artifacts and remnants from the Taíno and Spanish eras.
8. Catedral Metropolitana Primada de América
The first cathedral built in the New World. Unique for its Gothic architecture and historical significance.
- First Cathedral: The first cathedral built in the New World.
- Gothic Architecture: Features Gothic architectural styles, with distinctive gargoyles and intricate carvings.
- Historical Significance: A testament to the early history of Santo Domingo Este and the New World.
9. Parque Nacional Jaragua
A national park with diverse ecosystems, including rainforests, beaches, and mangroves. Unique for its biodiversity, wildlife, and scenic beauty.
- Diverse Ecosystems: Offers a variety of ecosystems within a single park.
- Wildlife: Home to numerous species, including the critically endangered West Indian manatee and the elusive Jamaican black hawk.
- Scenic Beauty: Features stunning landscapes, such as sandy beaches, lush rainforests, and mangrove forests.
10. Parque Nacional Montaña Redonda
A unique mountain with a flat summit, offering panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. Unique for its geological formation and scenic beauty.
- Geological Formation: Features a rare geological formation of a flat-topped mountain.
- Panoramic Views: Offers breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding landscape.
- Scenic Beauty: Features a serene and picturesque landscape.
11. Parque Nacional Guáyanabo
A national park with unique limestone formations known as 'Tres Picos'. Unique for its geological features and diverse wildlife.
- Limestone Formations: Features unique limestone formations known as 'Tres Picos'.
- Diverse Wildlife: Home to a variety of flora and fauna, including the critically endangered West Indian manatee.
- Scenic Beauty: Offers stunning landscapes with its unique geological formations and diverse wildlife.
12. Parque Nacional Bahoruco-Enriquillo
A national park featuring the largest lake in the Caribbean, Laguna Enriquillo. Unique for its biodiversity, geological formations, and the endangered West Indian flamingo.
- Largest Lake: Features the largest lake in the Caribbean, Laguna Enriquillo.
- Biodiversity: Home to numerous species, including the endangered West Indian flamingo.
- Geological Formations: Includes various geological formations such as caves and salt mines.
13. Parque Nacional Monte Cristi
A national park with a lighthouse at its highest point. Unique for its scenic beauty, geological formations, and the endangered West Indian manatee.
- Scenic Beauty: Offers breathtaking views from its lighthouse at the highest point.
- Geological Formations: Features unique geological formations such as caves and cliffs.
- Biodiversity: Home to numerous species, including the endangered West Indian manatee.
14. Parque Nacional Sierra de Bahoruco
A national park with a variety of ecosystems, including rainforests, savannas, and mountains. Unique for its biodiversity, geological formations, and the endangered West Indian manatee.
- Diverse Ecosystems: Offers a variety of ecosystems within a single park.
- Biodiversity: Home to numerous species, including the endangered West Indian manatee.
- Geological Formations: Includes various geological formations such as caves and cliffs.
15. Parque Nacional Sabana-Barahona
A national park with a diverse ecosystem, including rainforests, mangroves, and beaches. Unique for its biodiversity, geological formations, and the endangered West Indian manatee.
- Diverse Ecosystems: Offers a variety of ecosystems within a single park.
- Biodiversity: Home to numerous species, including the endangered West Indian manatee.
- Geological Formations: Includes various geological formations such as caves and cliffs.