From what I know there are 2 shopping Malls. The one that they suggested at the hotel was the Bavaro Plaza. I know most resorts have a half day shopping excursion but it would be cheaper to just hop in a cab. Trust me you dont want to go to both places, its all the same! Its really hard because they pretty much pull you in to their shops when you are walking thru. They all start with rediculous prices and it take about 10 minutes to bargain to a deceent price. I dont want to discourage you from going but just beware! I would say the markets on the beaches are just as good!

If shopping is your hobby be prepared to be very disappointed.

There are only the vendors with jewellry and paintings and wood products and you must barter to get any kind of a good price. Unless you make the trip to San Damingo which is four hours away...............THERE ARE NO MALLS HERE! Sorry. Better bring a good book or two.

we took lots of money and came home with all most all of it. Kind of disapointing but probably a good thing.

There was a lot of nice stuff at the resort and I bought a beautiful ring with a Larimar (local turquoise stone) set in gold. They also had very fashionable clothes and shoes made in Spain, not cheap but different. We stayed at the Riu Taino and there are quite a few stores on their Carribean street.

We took a taxi one day to the 2 'malls' outside of our resort. One is called Plaza Bavaro and across the street is Plaza Punta Cana. I noticed that our Rep smiled when I asked her which was the better of the 2 and she said about the same. About the same was quite accurate as EVERYONE of the stores in each mall was EXACTLY the same as every other - same clothing, same art work, same jewellery etc. There is very little to buy in the DR; the sport is in the bargaining which Dominicans thrive on. Very few items are priced and the response to How Much is always, what would you pay? For 5 pieces of jewellery that I bought, the first figure he gave me was $200US and after walking out 3 times at which he followed us into the street, and 20 minutes later, we finally agreed on $50US. The stores in the resort were more expensive but prices were listed and definite there. The DR is not the place to go if shopping is a hobby.

Not that rum would be expensive, but where is the best place to buy it. I figure I get robbed everytime I buy it here in Canada so why not try to get a deal!!

Rescue41: We did buy Bacardi rum and also a local brand. Funnily enough, the 26oz Bacardi was 200 pesos (about $8US) while the local brand was 300 pesos ($10US). The supermarket called the Mercado in Spanish, is always the best place in every town or village to buy liquor. We were also offered it to purchase by the hotel bartender who it turns out is the best person to seeek advice from regards brands and prices.

Rescue 41: Don't waste your money on Bacardi that you can buy at home anytime you want. The local rum - Anejo - is a really nice rum, I believe it's actually better than Bacardi, at least my family thinks so. We bring home as much as we're allowed and people fight over it!

We paid $6.00 US for the Superior at the beach shops (there is a regular too, watch that you get Superior) which is a really good price, if you can get it for 8.00 you're doing well.

Pat7501 is right that you should ask the bartender what to buy and where to buy it - we did this in Cuba and they gave us 2 26 oz (1 light, 1 dark) and one 40 oz (white) for around $12 US. I never thought to ask the bartender in DR - guess I wasn't thinking!

ldarcy