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The capital’s biggest and most hectic shopping area is a warren of stalls and booths within a concrete hangar, surrounded by streets crammed with sidewalk vendors. The cornucopia of tourist souvenirs includes Haitian paintings, sculptures, rum, CDs, and exotic items connected with vodu .

Herbs for sale outside Mercado Modelo

Santo Domingo’s traffic-free central shopping street is the place for merengue or bachata CDs, cigars or cheap T-shirts, and other bargains. The surrounding side streets are also worth exploring for the many gift and souvenir shops.

Although there are many amber outlets in the Zona Colonial, this is one of the most reputable, selling some beautiful examples of jewelry made from the precious resin. Also on sale are earrings and brooches featuring turquoise larimar. An exhibition explains the process, and there is sometimes a craftsman at work as well.

One of a growing number of US-style complexes in uptown Santo Domingo, this cool and spacious center offers a range of clothes stores, leather and jewelry outlets, shoe shops, banks, and a movie theater. There’s also a tempting array of snacking opportunities, including pizza, ice cream, and a karaoke bar.

The capital’s modern and attractive bookstore has a great selection of books on the country’s history and culture, as well as a wide range of English titles, including some children’s books. Browsing is welcomed. An added bonus is the pleasant coffee bar selling drinks, snacks, and delicious smoothies.

Sunday mornings see the hustle-bustle of several mercados de pulgas in the capital. The outdoor gatherings at the Centro de los Héroes, the bottom of Avenida Luperón, and Avenida 30 de Mayo offer unlikely household implements, occasional antiques, day-to-day clothing, and cheap food.

The long, straight street of this commercial center cuts through downtown, lined with old-fashioned department stores, banks, and street stalls. You’ll find almost everything including “designer” sunglasses from Haiti.

The North Coast’s biggest shopping mall is a Californian-style collection of retail outlets spread over two floors, with the emphasis on the tourist market. Cigars, cosmetics, and clothes feature prominently.

Big tourist resorts such as Bávaro and Bayahibe often allow small traders to set up informal markets. These are places to find genuine bargains away from the overpriced malls. Look out for rum, music, cheap Haitian art and fabrics.

The friendly little corner stores doubling as bars are the place to go for day-to-day items such as drinks, snacks or soap. You might not find much to buy, but you’ll find the rum cheaper than in tourist stores.