Columbus Lighthouse Tours and Tickets: How to Visit Faro a Colón

The Columbus Lighthouse, known locally as Faro a Colón, is one of the most iconic monuments in Santo Domingo. This cross shaped building works as a mausoleum and museum dedicated to Christopher Columbus and the encounter between Europe and the Americas. It is a classic stop on any Santo Domingo city tour.

This guide focuses on the essentials: how to visit, opening hours, tickets and the best tours that combine the lighthouse with Los Tres Ojos National Park and the Colonial Zone.

What is the Columbus Lighthouse?

The Columbus Lighthouse is a monumental cross shaped structure in Santo Domingo Este. Inside you will find museum style exhibitions with artifacts and gifts from different countries, plus the mausoleum traditionally associated with Columbus’s remains.

From the outside, the scale of Faro a Colón and the huge esplanade around it make it one of the most impressive modern landmarks in the city.

Location and how to get there

The lighthouse is located on the eastern side of the city, close to the Mirador del Este area and only a short drive from both Los Tres Ojos National Park and the bridges that connect directly to the Colonial Zone. This concentration of attractions in the same area is what makes combined tours so efficient.

Main ways to get there

• Taxi or rideshare from the Colonial Zone or the Malecón area

• Private driver or rental car with parking around the monument

• A Santo Domingo city tour that already includes Faro a Colón as a stop

Columbus Lighthouse opening hours and tickets

Typical visiting hours for Faro a Colón follow a simple pattern

• Usually open Tuesday to Saturday from morning until late afternoon

• Usually open Sunday until mid afternoon

• Usually closed on Mondays

Times can change on holidays and special events, so it is always smart to confirm locally or through your tour operator.

Tickets are normally very affordable. Expect to pay just a few US dollars in Dominican pesos, with reduced prices for some categories such as children or local visitors.

Tour options for visiting the Columbus Lighthouse

Many visitors prefer to include Faro a Colón as part of a wider Santo Domingo tour instead of visiting on their own. This saves time on logistics and gives more context about the history of the city.

Common options

• Half day Santo Domingo city tour
  Focus on the Colonial Zone with a stop at the Columbus Lighthouse and sometimes Los Tres Ojos. Ideal if you want a quick overview.

• Full day historical tour
  Includes more time at the lighthouse, a walking tour of the Colonial Zone, and main sites such as the First Cathedral of America and Alcázar de Colón.

• Private tour with driver guide
  Customized itinerary that can combine Faro a Colón, Los Tres Ojos and the Colonial Zone at your own pace, with flexible time for photos and museum visits.

Why combine Columbus Lighthouse, Los Tres Ojos and the Colonial Zone?

The big advantage is location. Faro a Colón, Los Tres Ojos National Park and the Colonial Zone sit in a very compact triangle

• Faro a Colón and Los Tres Ojos are both on the eastern side of Santo Domingo, only a short drive apart

• From the lighthouse area you cross the river via the main bridges and arrive directly at the Colonial Zone, the historic heart of the city

This means a combined tour can pick you up once, use the same transport to cover all three attractions and bring you back without wasting time crossing the city multiple times. You see

• Nature and caves at Los Tres Ojos

• Modern monumental architecture at Faro a Colón

• History, plazas and churches in the Colonial Zone

in one efficient route. For cruise passengers, short stay visitors or anyone on a tight schedule, this cluster of attractions on the same side of town makes combo tours one of the best value options in Santo Domingo.

Practical tips

• Visit with a combined tour if you want to see more than one attraction in a single day

• Choose a city tour that clearly mentions stops at Columbus Lighthouse, Los Tres Ojos and the Colonial Zone

• Wear light clothing, sunscreen and comfortable shoes, since the esplanade around Faro a Colón and the paths in Los Tres Ojos can be hot and sunny

Quick FAQs

Do I need to book Columbus Lighthouse tickets in advance? Recommended. However, most visitors buy tickets on arrival or have them included in a guided tour.

Are tickets included in Santo Domingo tours? Many Santo Domingo city tours and combined tours include the ticket, but some list it as an extra. Always check the tour description.

Is it better to visit independently or on a tour?
If you already know the city and just want a quick look, visiting Faro a Colón by taxi can work well. If it is your first time in Santo Domingo, a combined tour that includes Columbus Lighthouse, Los Tres Ojos and the Colonial Zone is usually the most convenient and time efficient option.