A$3,000 | 10 days | from Sydney | Comfortable
Why you'll love it
Santo Domingo is the capital of the Dominican Republic and the oldest European-founded city in the Americas, set on the Caribbean coast. It scores 9 out of 10 for beaches, 8 for value, and 7 for nightlife and romance, so it's an affordable mix of history, beaches and music.
The best time to visit Santo Domingo is December to April, the dry season, with sunny days and less humidity. June to November is hurricane season.
The Colonial Zone, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has the first cathedral in the Americas, the Alcázar de Colón and cobbled streets full of cafés. Dance merengue and bachata in the bars at night. Boca Chica's calm, shallow beach is about half an hour away, and Juan Dolio is a little further along the coast. The caves of Los Tres Ojos are on the city's edge.
Santo Domingo suits budget travellers, couples and history fans.
Your trip cost
For 10 days from Sydney