10 Best Places to Go Shopping in Santo Domingo

Mercado Modelo is the largest market in Santo Domingo. The name itself means “model market” and it truly is the model for Caribbean craft markets. It hosts countless vendors that sell everything from Cuban cigars and spiced liquors to jewellery, colourful carnival masks, and unique items like amber necklaces.

Special handmade treasures include both Haitian and Dominican finds. Mercado Modelo also is surrounded by food stalls that offer not only fresh produce but also prepared dishes. This is a place to haggle, so be prepared to do some bargaining rather than simply paying the stated price.

Merca Santo Domingo is a great place to go if you want to prepare your own meals in the city. Shop for vibrant red, yellow, and green bell peppers, pineapples, bananas, meat, poultry, seafood, and all sorts of grains. There’s a wide array of seasonings available as well, such as bija, allspice or Jamaica pepper, cloves, nutmeg, and anise.

Open daily, Merca Santo Domingo is very popular with locals looking to pick up fresh and authentic ingredients. Visit on a weekend as you’re likely to find many items at discounted rates.

The Avenida Duarte Chinatown Street Market in the Barrio Chino is one of the best places to go shopping in Santo Domingo. It sits directly north of the historical central neighbourhood known as the Colonial City, with Chinese gates marking both ends.

It primarily runs along Avenida Duarte, stretching across the Benito Gonzalez, Mella, and Mexico avenues, with sculptures of key Chinese figures lining the streets. This is where you’ll find Chinese grocery stores, as well as local shops selling all sorts of housewares and clothes. A fresh produce market takes place in Avenida Duarte on Sundays.

Calle El Conde runs through the centre of the Colonial Zone, between Escaleras del Conde and Puerta Independencia. This pedestrian-only street covers 11 blocks, packed with houses, shops, hotels, restaurants, and a variety of businesses.

As locals often come to Calle El Conde for shopping and dining, this is a great place for people-watching in Santo Domingo. You might even be able to see a street performer or 2 while exploring this commercial street.

Mercado de la Pulga is held on the site of Merca Santo Domingo, on the northern outskirt of the city. This Sunday flea market is one of the best places to go shopping for antiques, art, and handcrafted items. You'll also find books, household goods, and even clothing for sale among a wide range of vendors.

It's possible to haggle with friendly sellers, especially if you're buying more than 1 item. Food-wise, you can enjoy delicious meat skewers and chicharron, a dish typically made from fried pork skin.

Opened in 2012, Agora Mall was the first eco-friendly mall to open in the Dominican Republic. The capital's first LEED-certified building was designed to maximise sunlight while maintaining thermal control. This creates a natural indoor environment that scientists say can boost shoppers’ moods.

Agora Mall has over 180 different shops, including internationally known brands like Levi's, Tommy Hilfiger, Timberland, Guess, Zara, Brooksfield and more. You’ll also find over 20 restaurants, an indoor amusement park, and a 7-screen movie theatre.

Downtown Center is a modern 3-level shopping centre with the largest movie theatre in the Caribbean. It hosts the Caribbean Cinemas, which has 16 screens and Tremor FX active seats. Cinemagoers can immerse themselves in the film with the chairs vibrating and pulsating in response to audio signals.

You’ll also find plenty of shops and services, gastronomic delights, and family-friendly entertainment here. Downtown Center is not only one of the best places to go shopping in Santo Domingo, but also a great option for an afternoon (or longer) of fun.

Acropolis Center offers a colourful setting for shopping, dining, entertainment, and special events in Santo Domingo. If you’re visiting around the holidays, you’ll discover a world of magic in a gorgeously decorated space. During Christmas, expect an elaborate playground and visits by Santa Claus, complete with opportunities for photos.

Throughout the year, you can find many international chains within this 4-level shopping mall. Standouts include Mango, Nine West, Zara, Kenneth Cole, and Nautica. There’s also a food court, multiple cafés and restaurants, as well as a 7-screen cinema.

BlueMall is a high-end shopping mall in central Santo Domingo, just 450 metres north of the Acropolis Center. If you want to mingle with the well-heeled residents of Santo Domingo, this is where you should go. Just about anything you’re looking for can be found here, albeit with steep price tags.

It includes retailers like Armani Exchange, Louis Vuitton, Carolina Herrera, Cartier, Longchamp, and many famous global brands. There's also a Gold's Gym, quality restaurants, a good food hall, a children's park, and a 6-screen movie theatre.

Sambil Santo Domingo is a modern shopping mall in the city’s Colonial Zone. Opened in 2012, the complex has over 350 different shops and boutiques of well-known retailers like Victoria’s Secret and Aldo. You can also find many electronics stores, including Samsung and Sony.

If you're hungry, Sambil Santo Domingo has more than 20 eateries. Besides shopping and dining, the mall hosts the 14-screen Palacio del Cine movie theatre and the AquaMundo aquarium. Note that the shopping mall only opens on weekdays.