Columbus Lighthouse Faro a Colón
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
The Columbus Lighthouse, or Faro a Colón, is a mausoleum located in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. Opened in 1992, it is currently the second most looked-up sight in the country on English Wikipedia.
Planning a visit
The driest months to visit are February and March, which see about 66 to 68 mm of rain. Rainfall increases significantly from May through November, often exceeding 140 mm per month. Temperatures remain consistent year-round, with daily highs around 27 °C to 30 °C and lows between 21 °C and 24 °C. The site is open Tuesday through Saturday from 09:00 to 17:00 and Sundays from 09:00 to 16:00.
Located 7 km from the center of Santo Domingo, the mausoleum is easily accessible. The nearest airport is La Isabela International Airport, 16 km away, while Las Américas International Airport is 22 km from the city. You can combine a visit with nearby sights such as Fortaleza Ozama, located 1.6 km away, or Ciudad Colonial, which is 1.7 km away.
Weather by month
The warmest month is August, with an average high of 30 °C. The wettest is May, with about 220 mm of rain.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average high, °C | 27 | 28 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 29 | 28 | 28 |
| Average low, °C | 21 | 21 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 23 | 23 | 22 |
| Rainfall, mm | 71 | 66 | 68 | 96 | 220 | 174 | 174 | 204 | 210 | 194 | 143 | 86 |
| Rainy days | 10 | 8 | 8 | 11 | 15 | 13 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 12 |
Temperatures and rainfall: 1981–2010 averages for this spot (4 km grid), from CHELSA. Rainy days: 2015–2024, NASA POWER.
