Columbus Lighthouse (Faro a Colón)

The massive memorial was inaugurated just before the 500th anniversary of Columbus’ discovery of America. Inside the concrete building, you’ll find a mausoleum said to hold the remains of the famous explorer, as well as a museum, several libraries, and exhibitions from different countries across the Americas and the world. The lighthouse is a popular stop on Santo Domingo sightseeing tours, which offer a convenient and context-rich way to travel between city highlights.

• There’s a small entrance fee to access the lighthouse.

• It’s best to combine a visit here with the nearby Three Eyes National Park, spectacular limestone caves flooded with aquamarine water.

• The neighborhood around the lighthouse is not the safest area after dark, so try to visit during the day.

The lighthouse is located between Avenida Mirador del Este and Avenida Faro a Colón in the eastern San Souci district of Santo Domingo. The easiest way to get there is to take a taxi or rideshare. Some Santo Domingo sightseeing tours also include a stop here.

The lighthouse is open Tuesday to Sunday from morning to mid-afternoon. There are quite a lot of exhibits inside although not all of the interior rooms have been filled. The cross-shaped beam can be seen even from far away, though it’s not often turned on.

One of the main highlights of the lighthouse is the mausoleum of Christopher Columbus, a massive Gothic sculptural piece made from bronze and Carrara marble, with carvings depicting the story of Columbus. Whether the remains are actually those of Christopher Columbus is another story, as the Seville Cathedral also lays claim to the remains—DNA testing that may have validated the Spanish claim. In contrast, the Dominican Republic has refused to have their remains tested.