Wander the grounds and explore the labyrinth of rooms, which include displays on early legislation, historical ceramics, military function, and old world family life. Plus, view exhibits about Taino culture, Christopher Columbus’ voyages, slavery, and the island’s rum, cacao, sugarcane, and tobacco production. Guided city tours and day trips to Santo Domingo from Punta Cana typically stop at the Museum of the Royal Houses and tend to include admission. Self-guided and audio tours are also available.
Known as the most complete museum in the Americas, the museum exhibits the history of the island from 1492 until 1821.
Audio guides translate museum information into English and other languages.
The museum’s large interior courtyard offers a quiet spot to take a break.
The Museum of the Royal Houses is in the city’s Colonial Zone district, off the southern end of the Plaza de España at the start of Calle las Damas. The entrance to the museum is on Las Damas Street. The center of Santo Domingo is a little over two hours away from Punta Cana by car. Most day trips from there include round-trip transport.
The museum is open daily from mid-morning to early evening, except Mondays; last entry is at 5pm. In terms of weather, the best time to visit Santo Domingo is between November and March, as hurricane season runs from August to October. In general, most travelers choose to stay in Punta Cana or Puerto Plata when visiting the Dominican Republic, so you most likely won’t encounter large crowds in Santo Domingo.
Around the corner from the Museum of the Royal Houses sits the Plaza de España, where travelers flock to see the Columbus Palace—the first reinforced Spanish palace of La Hispaniola. This historic site is now home to the Museo Alcazar de Diego Colon, where artifacts, tapestries, and documents are on display.