10 things to do with your kids (6 & up) near the city of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

As a mom of a 7-year-old, currently living in the city of Santo Domingo, I usually find myself looking for fun day activities that I can do with my daughter and niece (who is 8).  People ask me a lot what I do with the girls on a given weekend.  So here it is, I try to stay away from malls, theme parks or themed fairs. Below are, in no particular order the top 10 activities we do on any given weekend.

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Go Birding

The best place to go birding with kids is the Botanical Gardens.  The earlier you go the more and easier it is to see a wide variety of endemic and migrating birds. The walk can be long for kids but you can make it as short as you like.  There is also a train that gives a ridden tour of the park, only stopping at the famous Japanese Garden.  You won’t get to see quite as many birds as if you walk.

Other parks around the city can also be a good place to see birds and some endemics, The Mirador Sur parks offers excellent views of the Hispaniola parakeet, Humming bird, Ruisenor and Cigua Palmera among others.

North of the city there is the Mirador Norte park, nearing Villa Mella.  This park tends to be lonely and I don’t necessarily recommend visiting unless in a group.

It’s best to bring your binoculars and get a list of endemic species for the island.  For more information about birding or for guided tour information please check out La Cua Birding.

Go Surfing

If you and your kids surf then grab your boards and head to either La Boya, in Boca Chica or Pato Beach in Nizao.  Both breaks can be kid friendly with small swells.

If you catch it small enough it can be a lot of fun and a great place for kids to learn how to surf.  It is essential to bring along water shoes, not only for kids, but yourself as well.  There is quit a high presence of sea urchins and you will probably be walking on the reef to push the kids on the white water that forms in front of the reef.  If the waves are small enough and your kid know what they are doing you can sit out at the peak for some clean face fun. I would recommend having more than one adult per kid in the water.  Better safe than sorry 🙂

Playa Patos is a rocky bottom with patches of sand.

The wave is slower, breaking along the coast and tends to have heavy currents down the shore. Water shoes here are more of an option but highly recommend in order to protect you feet from the rocks.  Just like la Boya, I would recommend having more than one adult per kid in the water.

If you want to be safer and hire a professional instructor or to rent equipment you can contact Ocean Republic for nationwide lessons or only for Pato beach only, call Mingo at 829-740-5425.

Go Paddle-Boarding – SUP

Boca Chica is the place for kids to learn to paddle board.  If are able to head out there early in the morning saturday or sunday you will basically have the swimming pool like beach to your self.  If you need paddle board rentals there are a few places around that have them for rent.  If you want to plan ahead (highly recommended) then contact Ocean Republic for SUP rentals and lessons.

Go Cliff diving (mini cliff)

On the way out of the city, right pass the toll on the way to the airport, there is el Parque Submarino de La Caleta.  I would recommend to go super early, since around noon the crowd becomes a little too much.

There is a small “cliff” rock where children jump into the Caribbean Sea and are able to safely be directly to shore by a supervising adult.

You can also rent plastic kayaks and paddle boards right on the park.

Go Snorkelling

Most any beach is fun to take the kiddos snorkeling. The nearby beaches (45 minutes to an hour) like Juan Dolio, La Caleta or even Boca Chica can provide countless hours of fun looking at little colored fishes near the shore.  Try to look near rocks or patches of seaweed.   Bring along your snorkel and enjoy the view.

Go Skateboarding / Rollerblading / Biking

The best place in the entire city for kids to Skateboard, Rollerblade or Bike is the Mirador Sur Park.  Many trails and areas are paved and make it easy for the kids to safely ride.  There is even a skate ramp near Lincoln Ave where more advanced riders can venture into the half-pipe.

Bring your toy of choice and some bottled water and spend the day swishing through the park.

Play Frisbee / Futbol

Grab a frisbee or soccer ball and head to the nearest park or beach.

Places ideal for frisbee or soccer playing are the Mirador Sur and Norte parks, all around the botanical gardens.  As for the beach, my favorite places to play frisbee with the kiddos are Embassy Beach or Playa Caribe, or Juan Dolio.

Go to the Park, chill & have a picnic

Plenty of parks around the city.  My favorite for picnics, given the great amount of other activities available out doos is the Mirador Sur.  Make a few sandwiches, grab a blanket and enjoy

Boat Rides at the park

The mirador Sur has  agreat option to rent paddle boats and ride them out into a man-made lake in the middle of the park.  It’s super fun for the kids and extremely safe (water only comes to you knees if you happen to fall in).  The tricky part is having one tall if enough to reach the pedals.  If not, you will have to get in the boat and paddle them around.

Explore the past: Zona Colonial Walk

The Colonial Zone of Santo Domingo has many parks, museums and restaurants to choose from.  My favorite is to walk around el Parque Colon enjoying beautiful views of the First Cathedral of the Americas, as you sit in a cafe and the kids can feed the doves.