Santo Domingo Shopping Overview
Santo Domingo shopping opportunities range from new upscale shopping malls, to quaint souvenir shops in the Colonial Zone. The Dominican Republic is famous for numerous products, including cigars, coffee, cocoa, amber and larimar jewelry, hand made crafts and unique art. The city also has plenty of stores and shops for more general items like clothing, shoes, accessories, electronics and more.
The Colonial Zone is filled with charming shops selling jewelry, cigars, crafts, paintings, clothing, hats, souvenirs and other items. You can find anything from decorative hand-crafted and painted metal lizards to fine art and expensive cigars.
The main Colonial Zone shopping streets are El Conde and Isabel la Católica, but many side streets (particularly to the north of El Conde) also have interesting shops. Take the time to wander – that perfect gift might be right around the corner. Remember that prices are often negotiable, so don’t be afraid to haggle.
When shopping in the Colonial Zone, be aware that many of the ‘paintings’ being sold outside on El Conde are mass produced/factory produced. Look around before you buy! You will notice that certain ‘paintings’ appear over and over again. If you are interested in purchasing art, look in the shops rather than on the streets.
Outside of the Colonial Zone, the best Santo Domingo shopping can be found in the many high-end and mid-range shopping malls. These malls are the perfect place to find international-label clothing and accessories, or check out creations by local fashion designers. Santo Domingo shopping malls cater primarily to the city’s growing number of wealthy and middle-class residents. The stores are a mixture of international and local names. Prices in the international chains are similar to US/European prices. Some of the local chains have lower prices for bargain hunters.
Suggestions for shops where you can purchase characteristic Dominican products and other merchandise are listed in the pages above.