Santo Domingo offers budget travelers a dive into the Americas' oldest city with free colonial streets, cheap street eats under $5, and vibrant local life—all at rock-bottom prices in the Caribbean.
- ●Wander free Zona Colonial streets and Alcázar de Colón
- ●Picnic at affordable Los Tres Ojos caves ($2 entry)
- ●Street food crawl in Zona Colonial (empanadas ~$1-2)
- ●People-watch on Malecón seafront promenade
Spanish dominant outside tourist zones; use Google Translate app or basic phrases for best deals with locals.