Santo Domingo
Capital of Dominican Republic
Santo Domingo is the capital of the Dominican Republic and home to about 2.2 million people as of 2025. Visitors travel to the city to see the UNESCO-listed Ciudad Colonial, the historic Fortaleza Ozama, and the Columbus Lighthouse.
What to see
The city features several significant landmarks. The Ciudad Colonial is a UNESCO World Heritage site that represents the historic core of the city. Nearby, travelers visit Fortaleza Ozama to view its structure. The Columbus Lighthouse serves as another major point of interest in the area.
When to go
The climate is warm throughout the year, with daily highs ranging between 28 °C and 30 °C. January through March are the driest months, with rainfall between 62 mm and 68 mm occurring on about 8 to 10 days each month. Rain increases significantly starting in May, with monthly totals reaching up to 212 mm and rainy days extending to 17 days by September and October. Visitors preferring drier weather may find the period from December to March suitable for travel.
Getting there
The city is served by two airports. La Isabela International Airport is located 13 km away. Las Américas International Airport is situated 28 km from the city.
Top sights in Santo Domingo
Weather by month
The warmest month is August, with an average high of 30 °C. The wettest is May, with about 212 mm of rain.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average high, °C | 28 | 28 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 29 | 29 | 28 |
| Average low, °C | 21 | 21 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 24 | 23 | 23 | 22 | 21 |
| Rainfall, mm | 68 | 62 | 64 | 89 | 212 | 169 | 161 | 190 | 198 | 188 | 136 | 81 |
| Rainy days | 10 | 8 | 8 | 11 | 15 | 13 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 12 |
Temperatures and rainfall: 1981–2010 averages for Santo Domingo (4 km grid), from CHELSA. Rainy days: 2015–2024, NASA POWER.