We stayed in the hotel conde de Peñalba just on the other side of Columbus park and it wasn’t until one of our last days of our stay that I found that this was the very first cathedral in America. I made sure to take some time here in the morning before my flight around noon. I’d never expect to find what I did inside. I felt like I was in Europe.

If you are wearing short clothes, the staff will give you a small blanket to cover yourself before going into the church. I was wearing shorts they made me cover my legs to go inside the church. Be respectful if you don't want to cover it, don't go in, then don't be a Karen.

As a major factor in the decision for Ciudad Colonial to become a UNESCO world heritage site, the five hundred year old Gothic style cathedral offers audio tours in multiple languages, along with supporting a regular parish. To reach the tourist entrance, visitors enter La Plazoleta de los Curas [Little Plaza of the Priests], so called because this was a place for the clergy to gather. Catedral Primada de América was spectacular in scale, but its size was also its weakness when keeping the attention of the visitor. Even with the decently lighting, easy walking, wheelchair accessible, plenty of places to sit, and expertly recorded audio tour, the constant stream of icons and names caused sensory overload. Visitors from around the world easily fit in the space and enjoyed the chapels both at their own pace and in their own language. Some of these visitors were older children on class trips who could no longer concentrate once they arrived at the tenth chapel or later. While this priceless historic site is a must-see for anyone traveling to Santo Domingo, along with a pilgrimage for devout Catholics, the experience is not be fun for the average visitor under eighteen. The cathedral is open to visitors from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Tickets with an audio tour cost about RD$60 ($1.20 US). Only a few people at a time can purchase tickets from the inside booth, so one member of the party must go inside while the others wait in the plaza.

A must visit place if you are visiting Santo Domingo Dominican Republic. This is the oldest cathedral in the Americas. It does not have the depth of a cathedral in Europe, but it is still a must see. We paid the extra 20 pesos for a guided tours recording. Suggest a visit down the street to Valentino for yummy Italian Gelato ice cream.

The Cathedral is well maintained and the entrance is cheap. If you want to have some info while you're walking around I recommend the audio guide.

This place was stunning! The structure was incredibly old and the craftsmanship was next to none. The pictures are beautiful but I assure you they don't do justice to the scale of beauty in this long standing structure. Well setup and stunning views in the beautiful colonial district of Santa Domingo.

A gothic masterpiece in the heart of the colonial zone, an eternal spot of christianity in the Caribbean, the first ever in the west world, may it serve as a beacon for those who seek a place for prayer and salvation.

Beautiful Catholic Church in the middle of Santo Domingo. Couldn't have asked for a better way to end our sight seeing tour here. Loved learning about this historic, old, cathedral.

Beautiful church in the Colonial Zone. I understood this is the first Spanish Church in the Americas. The Mass is also worth hearing.

Excellent conditions! Is a historical building very well preserved! It Worth the visit!

Nice and interesting historical place. Can't miss it of you're around.

The Cathedral is cool but you have to be careful with your guide if you ever want one. It is not necessary once you have an audio guidance included in all of the premises. The sir I am sharing his picture is awful and made my experience terrible at the ticket door, stopping me from getting into once he was with a group blocking the entrance (the group already had tickets and all) and saying that he makes the rules which is not true. I recorded how unpolite he was. I didn't get into, he made me don't wanna go at all.

Such a beautiful old city the people and food are fantastic

Nice place to visit in your visit to Dominican Republic.

Magnificent cathedral Very important place to visit in Santo Domingo. Audio guides in Spanish, German and English are included

Celebrating 45 years of Worldwide Marriage Encounter in the Dominican Republic. September of 2022

On March 24, 2022, my friends and I went on a trip to Santo Domingo. It had been many years since we went to the Capital. We wanted to visit the Cathedral: Catedral Primada de America Nuestra Señora de la Asuncion. That is his official name. It was erected in 1512. It is well maintained and beautiful. Admission is $80 RD ($1.50 USA). Its exterior shows its Gothic style with Renaissance ornaments dating from 1514 to 1546. Inside are many artworks, for example a panel painting of the Altagracia Virgin from 1523.The Main Altar has a Baroque retable. It's worth the visit when you're in RD. You can't take picture's inside.

A holy place to worship, a beautiful blend of past and modern architecture and culture. The clergy allows inclusion, that's finding out countries of origin of the attendees and respecting appropiate dress code for the mass/ special ceremony. I always feel a warm welcome. Many thanks.

The impressive first church in the New World.

Beautiful. The history in this area is unbelievable. Absolutely amazing. This is the first church in the Americas.

Excellent Mas Services are held here for those interested in the Catholic religion. The singing voices of the choir during Mas are so inspiring and spiritual that your experience is no less than Holy and breathtaking.

Gorgeous cathedral, and amazing history behind it too.

I was lucky enough to not only visit this historic cathedral but I also was a groomsman in a wedding held at Cathedral de Las Americas. It is a very unique and special place. A place of both historical importance and religious significance in the Americas. I recommend reading up on the history of this location to really appreciate it.

What a church..was very bless to be able to attend mass..beautiful building

The church is awesome. They have English and Spanish. You have to pay for the English sub. One of the most beautiful churches I have ever experienced. Church starts at 12:00 mid day and second session is at 5:00pm.

I loved it here, the architecture is amazing.

The first cathedral ever build in a new world! Must definitely see. Audio guide is highly recommended- tells a lot of interesting things

Great architecture. This cathedral is very popular for visitors

This is the first church to be built in the Americas. The pictures are self explanatory

Very nest. Too much order and excellent tourist guides.

This colonial building is the first Catholic cathedral in the entire American continent. It was inaugurated on February 12, 1546, with the name of the First Cathedral of the Indies. The cathedral features a mix of Gothic and Baroque architecture. Has solid golden limestone walls, an impressive vaulted ceiling and fourteen side chapels adorned with historical objects from colonial times. It was in this place that the remains of Christopher Columbus rested until they were eventually transferred to the Columbus Lighthouse made in his honor.