Columbus Lighthouse (Faro A Colon)
Columbus Lighthouse (Faro A Colon)
Columbus Lighthouse (Faro A Colon)
3.5
Speciality MuseumsPoints of Interest & LandmarksMonuments & Statues
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This multi-million-dollar lighthouse was built in 1992 to celebrate the 400 year anniversary of Columbus's landing in the Americas and is the site of the explorer's bones.
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3.5
728 reviews
Excellent
202
Very good
223
Average
204
Poor
69
Terrible
30
quistravel
United States365 contributions
May 2022
Seems like you either love or you hate it, I loved it. After living here for many years I finally decided to pay it a visit. The building is impressive, the tomb of Columbus is more impressive and the exhibits are very interesting. It's free to visit and you can see everything in 45 minutes.
Written 20 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Keith L
Taunton, UK209 contributions
May 2023
The lighthouse was built as the mausoleum for Christopher Columbus. However, you need to be in Seville Spain to see his real tomb. So beware. The building is a vast concrete ugly block more in keeping with Soviet architecture. Best to pass by without stopping.
Written 6 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MichaelBNielsen
Odense, Denmark364 contributions
Jan 2022
I really don’t understand what is the idea with this place. It is a massive grey building, with a chapel or church inside. There’s long aisles with exhibitions with all kind of stuff from different countries, There is no explanation, there is no light so you can read the few signs and there is absolutely to clue why they are showing stuff from Japan and also explaining something about the European Union?! Outside you can see the Pope Mobil. Don’t spend you time a this place.
Written 23 January 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Meander60555022940
2 contributions
Jan 2024 • Friends
The lighthouse and grounds have a lot of potential to be an informative historical attraction. However as it stands, it is looking rundown and dilapidated. It would be nice to see some work go into the grounds. Increased historical information and lights that work at night!
Written 21 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Escape30217
New York1 contribution
This is a gigantic lighthouse / museum in honor of Christopher Columbus. Only a dictator could have accomplished such a feat ! It is so big- you will laugh!!!! They say you can see the light from Puerto Rico (when it is on ...)
It contains an art museum, a chapel, and an authentic Pope-moblie from Pope John Paul II's visit in 1992. (500th Anniversary of the discovery of the Americas). It also contains the what "might " be the bones of Christopher Columbus - however, Seville, Spain makes the same claim. (DNA testing is supposedly underway).
This museum is only worth the trip if: you have a free day in Santo Domingo, it is raining, you have time to kill on the way to the airport (but don't leave your bags in the car unattended).
It is not handicap/stroller accessible. It is not air-conditioned.
It is close to the National Aquairium, you could easily do both in 1 day.
It contains an art museum, a chapel, and an authentic Pope-moblie from Pope John Paul II's visit in 1992. (500th Anniversary of the discovery of the Americas). It also contains the what "might " be the bones of Christopher Columbus - however, Seville, Spain makes the same claim. (DNA testing is supposedly underway).
This museum is only worth the trip if: you have a free day in Santo Domingo, it is raining, you have time to kill on the way to the airport (but don't leave your bags in the car unattended).
It is not handicap/stroller accessible. It is not air-conditioned.
It is close to the National Aquairium, you could easily do both in 1 day.
Written 16 June 2004
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bill-vul
Chicago, IL37 contributions
May 2014 • Couples
Is it a big structure? Yes. Does it look old? Yes, but really, it isn’t anywhere near as old as it looks. It was built in the 80s-90s. I’m trying to understand this structure, it looks impressive on the outside, but it is nowhere near as impressive on the inside.
Why? There is a nice marble statue in the center of the lighthouse (I'm not sure why its called a lighthouse, it looks more like a mausoleum than a lighthouse), and there is some artwork depicting Christopher Columbus, but other than that it’s a bunch of displays from countries. I think the idea is good, it just isn’t well executed. Down the main stretch of the lighthouse is a corridor with rooms on either side. On one side are displays for countries that are in the Americas (USA, Mexico, Argentina, Cuba, etc). For the most part, the displays here show artwork, clothing, or other cultural items from their respective culture (indigenous or current). The other side has displays from other countries that are, well, other countries. I’m not sure what their role is in the museum. At first I thought that they were all the countries that he had visited, but then I saw the display for Japan (which has an abandoned display that used to show a movie). Perhaps they were countries that helped finance the building? I doubt it, from the little I read on Wikipedia (I know, I know), it appears that only $15,000 of the millions it took to build the place came from other countries. I mentioned before that there are displays from the Americas. Canada has a spot for a display, but nothing is in it. Literally, nothing, it’s just an empty spot. However, there is a display for Russia, or Taiwan (no China, though). It just feels like it was only half thought out.
By the way, be sure to wear a hat when you’re inside. The whole building is opened to the outside, so birds like to fly around. I saw someone that got crapped on while looking around, so beware!
One final note, which I cannot stress enough: The area where the lighthouse is located is NOT safe at all! We were dropped off on the east side of the property (an open field, looks like ruins from an ancient civilization, but due to the age of the building, is it?). We walked at least half a mile before we got close to the east end of the building (and that isn’t even the entrance, it is on the west side). The whole area was abandoned. No locals walking around, nor anyone trying to sell anything to tourists (the only tourists were myself, my wife, and one guy we happened to encounter). We saw two guys on a motorcycle several times, who you could tell were checking us out (nothing happened). When we were done looking in the lighthouse, we exited on the north side and wanted to wait for a guagua (I know, everyone says don’t take them, but we speak Spanish and we knew what we were doing). As we waited, two policemen pulled up on a motorcycle and asked what we were doing. We told them, and they replied that we shouldn’t be here because it is not safe, there are muggers, etc. They proceeded to waive down the next guagua and we got on. I’d say that when the local police tell you not to hang out near a tourist attraction, it’s not a safe place at all. If you want to check out the lighthouse, do so during the day and be sure to have your travel arranged prior to leaving.
Why? There is a nice marble statue in the center of the lighthouse (I'm not sure why its called a lighthouse, it looks more like a mausoleum than a lighthouse), and there is some artwork depicting Christopher Columbus, but other than that it’s a bunch of displays from countries. I think the idea is good, it just isn’t well executed. Down the main stretch of the lighthouse is a corridor with rooms on either side. On one side are displays for countries that are in the Americas (USA, Mexico, Argentina, Cuba, etc). For the most part, the displays here show artwork, clothing, or other cultural items from their respective culture (indigenous or current). The other side has displays from other countries that are, well, other countries. I’m not sure what their role is in the museum. At first I thought that they were all the countries that he had visited, but then I saw the display for Japan (which has an abandoned display that used to show a movie). Perhaps they were countries that helped finance the building? I doubt it, from the little I read on Wikipedia (I know, I know), it appears that only $15,000 of the millions it took to build the place came from other countries. I mentioned before that there are displays from the Americas. Canada has a spot for a display, but nothing is in it. Literally, nothing, it’s just an empty spot. However, there is a display for Russia, or Taiwan (no China, though). It just feels like it was only half thought out.
By the way, be sure to wear a hat when you’re inside. The whole building is opened to the outside, so birds like to fly around. I saw someone that got crapped on while looking around, so beware!
One final note, which I cannot stress enough: The area where the lighthouse is located is NOT safe at all! We were dropped off on the east side of the property (an open field, looks like ruins from an ancient civilization, but due to the age of the building, is it?). We walked at least half a mile before we got close to the east end of the building (and that isn’t even the entrance, it is on the west side). The whole area was abandoned. No locals walking around, nor anyone trying to sell anything to tourists (the only tourists were myself, my wife, and one guy we happened to encounter). We saw two guys on a motorcycle several times, who you could tell were checking us out (nothing happened). When we were done looking in the lighthouse, we exited on the north side and wanted to wait for a guagua (I know, everyone says don’t take them, but we speak Spanish and we knew what we were doing). As we waited, two policemen pulled up on a motorcycle and asked what we were doing. We told them, and they replied that we shouldn’t be here because it is not safe, there are muggers, etc. They proceeded to waive down the next guagua and we got on. I’d say that when the local police tell you not to hang out near a tourist attraction, it’s not a safe place at all. If you want to check out the lighthouse, do so during the day and be sure to have your travel arranged prior to leaving.
Written 19 May 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hernandez1697
Puerto Rico1,507 contributions
Jan 2018 • Couples
In 1992 we celebrate 500 hundred years of the Americas. Different Countries celebrate that moment with activities and construction of Monuments to celebrate that moment. Puerto Rico built "La Plaza del Quinto Centenario in Old San Juan". But in that moment, when I was a young guy, I read in the News that Dominican Republic was building a huge structure, unique from all the things that you could imagine. I saw the photos, the cocept, the blame of the Dominicans for that multimillion construction when the country had a serious problem of poverty. All were right. But the structure looks so fascinating that I put that place in my bucket list. After 25 years I went to the place. The place where Saint John Paul II gave a religious service and inaugurated this important and expensive Tribute to Columbus and the Country itself.
In Saturday January 27, 2018, I visited with my wife El Faro a Colòn. Decpcionado, triste, sorprendido, frustrado, avergonzado. (Dissapointed, sad, surprised, frustrated, ashame). Is better to see it from the taxi. From the site, you can see it once had gardens, a lot of fountains, faroles, beautiful grass and a air of honor and grandiosity. Now looks like an abandoned jail. Theres no excuse for the conditions of this place. Domican Republic build it, ok. Spent a lot of millios, ok. But you did it, so mantein it. Remember, you build this place as a gift to the Americas. So, this is part of the Americas and part of us.
Please do something. This place is too beautiful to be like that.
This is only a friendly suggestion of a brother puertorrican. And for the visitors, go and visit it. Even abandoned it looks impressive and beautiful.
In Saturday January 27, 2018, I visited with my wife El Faro a Colòn. Decpcionado, triste, sorprendido, frustrado, avergonzado. (Dissapointed, sad, surprised, frustrated, ashame). Is better to see it from the taxi. From the site, you can see it once had gardens, a lot of fountains, faroles, beautiful grass and a air of honor and grandiosity. Now looks like an abandoned jail. Theres no excuse for the conditions of this place. Domican Republic build it, ok. Spent a lot of millios, ok. But you did it, so mantein it. Remember, you build this place as a gift to the Americas. So, this is part of the Americas and part of us.
Please do something. This place is too beautiful to be like that.
This is only a friendly suggestion of a brother puertorrican. And for the visitors, go and visit it. Even abandoned it looks impressive and beautiful.
Written 28 January 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Daniel19721972
Leuven, Belgium781 contributions
Oct 2014 • Family
Large ugly concrete building that acts as a lighthouse, something we never saw during our stay in SD. Time and wheater has an impact on the building and surrounding park. Ok for a quick photo but nothing else. Outside you will see one of the first pope vehicles in a really bad state.
The place clearly shows what you can do with a large sum of money that isn't yours and when you just want to impress.
The place clearly shows what you can do with a large sum of money that isn't yours and when you just want to impress.
Written 4 November 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ArturoFeliz
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic422 contributions
May 2014 • Couples
Columbus lighthouse (Faro a Colon) is an impressive landmark and in its beginnings used to be an impressive place to visit. Well kept museum and the lighthouse was something out of this world (It could be seen from the whole city) After years of sub-par maintenance it may not be a shadow of what it used to be.
Written 3 August 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
248Pablo
Miami, FL1 contribution
Aug 2013 • Friends
Very dissatisfied with the visit nothing do not waste you time
The light do not work the toilets have not running water
There is a big drum full of water and a bucket to flush the toilets
I ask the tour guide why she was rude and told me if I did not know how to use a
Latrine
A national monument what a disgrace
The light do not work the toilets have not running water
There is a big drum full of water and a bucket to flush the toilets
I ask the tour guide why she was rude and told me if I did not know how to use a
Latrine
A national monument what a disgrace
Written 1 August 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Me recomiendan ir en auto ? Tiene parkeadero ??
Written 12 September 2023
sol204
West Palm Beach, Florida
El Faro A Colon esta actualmente abierto para el publico? Y si lo esta, cuanto cuesta las entradas?
Written 16 January 2020
Si, el faro está abierto al público, pero cerrado las lunes. Cuesta está 100 pesos = $1.80 dólares aproximadamente.
Written 17 January 2020
Hola, el sitio se puede visitar gratuitamente? Se cobra entrada? Hay guías? Iré en unos meses a Santo Domingo por lo que necesito información acerca de todo! Gracias!
Written 6 September 2019
Hola buen día , estuve en febrero del presente año en el faro , si hay cobro pero muy económico, estamos hablando de menos de 5 dólares, está entrada te da derecho a la guía por todo el sitio , hay parquedero gratuito, es buena idea alquilar un carro, la visita se hace en dos o tres horas aproximadamente dependiendo de tu ritmo , existen muchos otros atractivos que deberías conocer
Written 7 September 2019
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