5 Day Trips from Santo Domingo by Car
Santo Domingo is a great base for exploring. Once you pick up your car at Las Américas International Airport (SDQ), you can combine the city with beaches, nature and towns a short drive away. Here are five day trips, how to plan them and what's worth knowing about driving in and around the capital.
How to plan your day
Pick a direction
The trips fall into two groups. To the east, on the Autopista de Las Américas, are Boca Chica and Juan Dolio, close to the airport. To the west are San Cristóbal and the Baní dunes; getting there means crossing the city. Los Tres Ojos sits in between, in Santo Domingo Este.
Pairing an eastern beach with a western one on the same day doesn't make much sense: you'd spend a good part of it in traffic. It's better to pick one direction per day.
If you've just landed
Since AILA is east of the city, Boca Chica and Juan Dolio are good options for your first or last day, when the airport is close by. Our Las Américas pickup guide has what you need to get through the counter quickly.
Leave early
Leaving early has several advantages: less traffic, quieter beaches, better shade and more daylight for the drive back. Avoid the morning and afternoon rush hours.
1. Boca Chica
About 10 minutes from the airport. Its calm, shallow beach, protected by a reef, is ideal for families. On weekends it fills up with locals.
What it's like: a town beach with lots going on, music and vendors on the sand. The calm water lets kids play close to shore.
Practical tips:
- If you want quiet, go on a weekday or arrive early.
- Look for parking in a guarded spot and don't leave anything visible inside the car.
- Bring cash in pesos for chairs, umbrellas and food.
2. Juan Dolio
A little farther east on the Autopista de Las Américas. Wider, quieter beaches, seafront hotels and restaurants for a long lunch.
What it's like: more relaxed than Boca Chica, with a long coastline and less bustle. It works well if you want an unhurried beach day.
Practical tips:
- Bring an umbrella or plan your day so you have shade during the sunniest hours.
- Ask the restaurant whether you can leave the car in its lot while you eat.
- Stay until mid-afternoon and head back before dark.
3. Los Tres Ojos
Inside the city, in Santo Domingo Este, on the way between the airport and downtown. A park with caves and underground lakes of crystal-clear water. The visit takes just over an hour.
What it's like: a walk along paths and steps inside caves, with lakes in strikingly different colors. It's a short, cool plan for the hottest part of the day.
Practical tips:
- Wear comfortable shoes with good grip: the ground can be damp.
- It pairs well with the drive between the airport and the Colonial Zone.
- Bring some cash in pesos.
4. The Baní dunes
To the west, a little over an hour away. The Dunas de las Calderas are a striking landscape of sand by the sea. Combine the visit with a stop in Baní to try its famous milk sweets.
What it's like: an open landscape with little shade, where the sand gets very hot as the day goes on.
Practical tips:
- Go in the morning, with water, a cap, sunscreen and closed-toe shoes.
- This is the trip with the most driving: leave early to cross the city before traffic builds.
- Fill up the tank before you leave Santo Domingo.
5. San Cristóbal and Najayo
Less than an hour west. Beaches such as Najayo and Palenque, popular with Dominican families, with fried-fish stands by the sea.
What it's like: a very local atmosphere, especially on weekends, with fried fish, music and whole families spending the day.
Practical tips:
- Bring cash in pesos: it's the easiest way to pay at small stands.
- Find parking close to where you'll be and keep the car locked.
- You can combine it with Baní if you leave early.
Driving in and around Santo Domingo
In the city
- One-way streets: there are many, especially in the older areas. Trust your navigation app and watch the signs.
- Roundabouts: enter slowly, yield to traffic already in the circle and signal as you exit.
- "Policías acostados": that's the local name for speed bumps. They show up on avenues and neighborhood streets, sometimes without warning. Slow down.
- Motorbikes: there are a lot of them, and they weave between cars. Check your mirrors before changing lanes or turning.
On the highway
- Tolls: they're paid in cash. Bring pesos in small bills.
- Fuel: leave with a full tank and fill up at stations on the main roads.
- At night: if you can, drive back in daylight. Secondary roads can be poorly lit, with animals and motorbikes.
Parking
Choose guarded parking lots and don't leave anything visible inside the car. If you have questions about your rental's protection, see what your coverage includes.
What to keep in the car
- Water and snacks.
- Sunscreen, a cap and a towel.
- Cash in pesos for tolls, parking and food.
- Offline maps and a charged phone.
- The assistance number saved: 809-544-7111 (option 3).
Safety and courtesy
- Drive defensively and patiently, especially at rush hour.
- Use your turn signals early; it helps other drivers let you in.
- At beaches and in towns, say hello: a "buenos días" goes a long way.
- Don't leave trash on the beach and respect marked areas.
Tips for leaving the city
- Avoid the morning and afternoon rush hours when you leave and come back.
- Bring cash in pesos for tolls and parking.
- Download offline maps before you set off.
Frequently asked questions
Which trip is closest to the airport?
Boca Chica, about 10 minutes away. It's a good option for your first or last day.
Can I do two trips in one day?
Yes, if they're in the same direction. For example, Los Tres Ojos and Boca Chica to the east, or San Cristóbal and Baní to the west.
Do I need cash?
Yes. Tolls are paid in cash, and it's the easiest option at parking lots and food stands. Bring pesos.
What if the car breaks down on the way?
Call the 24/7 roadside assistance included in your rental: 809-544-7111 (option 3).
Are there similar trips from Punta Cana?
Yes. See our day trips from Punta Cana.
Our AILA counter is open 24 hours, and 24/7 roadside assistance is included in your rental: 809-544-7111 (option 3). Pick your dates and book your car.
