Let's be honest! Studying abroad comes in handy with a good shopping culture! Everyone wants to get time to explore markets and pick a few goodies to add to the cart list! Shopaholics welcome to Dominican Republic, the land of beauty and charming crafts!
This is where your shopping impulse is put to the test. With numerous shopping malls, stalls, shops, and supermarkets Dominican Republic will certainly take thy breath away!
El Conde Street, the long outdoor mall in Santo Domingo’s Colonial Zone, is the Dominican Republic’s unofficial shopping major spot. Although eating the street food is not recommended, there are plenty of less-expensive designer knock-offs to wet your appetite.
Santo Domingo’s best purchases are authentic larimar or amber jewelry, especially pieces containing fossilized insects, and rocking chairs visitors must assemble themselves once they return home.
There are also modern malls such as Megacentro in Santo Domingo that give convenient shopping under one roof, from hair salons, cinemas, and clothes to pharmacies, gift stores, and a supermarket. Acropolis mall also hosts brand name shops and a plethora of eateries.
Plaza Lama, featuring an interesting food hall, is the capital’s biggest department store. For western-style grocery shopping, La Sirena, also in the capital, offers a wide selection at good prices.
Haggling is not only recommended at stores, but usually expected throughout the Dominican Republic especially at open-air flea markets like Pulga de Antigüedades, held every Sunday near Santo Domingo’s Parque Colon.
Shoppers have a lot of opportunities to haggle at the Mercado Modelo two-floor indoor market. The more modest you dress and the more polite you are, the more appealing your bargaining will be.
Other top-quality Dominican Republic souvenirs include hand-rolled cigars, traditional faceless Dominican dolls, merengue and salsa CDs, and handbags. Several art galleries merchandise original works by artists from both the Dominican Republic and neighboring Haiti. Most sellers accept both Dominican pesos and United States dollars.
If you are looking for a unique shopping experience, then rest assured that the premier shopping malls are usually located in the heart of the commercial district, generally just a short journey from your accommodation.
While you are there you are likely to find yourself enjoying the company of locals, who visit the luxury malls to unwind, spend time together and tour the shops at their leisure.
"I enjoy shopping and I found it affordable but some of the clothes are definitely not of the highest quality." - Hassan from Turkey
