Shopping in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
Do not go to Punta Cana thinking that you will bring bags and more shopping bags. It is known that Punta Cana is not a destination for this, because prices are not attractive at this point. But there are options for those who like a little shopping or another, especially for those who want to bring back memories of the trip.
Most hotels in Punta Cana have some shops and you can find basic products such as shirts, bags, drinks, mugs, key chains, in short… a little bit of everything.
Within the resorts it is also common to have craft fairs on certain days of the week – ask at the reception of your hotel the day they take place. In them, local sellers exhibit mainly paintings on canvas and necklaces with stones from the region. The tip is to be very smart with the values presented to you. Bargain until you think the value is reasonable. Never accept a value without negotiating.
The Shopping Palma Real is a good option for those who want to shop in designer labels, with some of the most famous stores in the world, such as Puma, Adidas, Billabong and Hard Rock. For those who prefer artisanal products, drinks and other popular items, Plaza Bibijagua is a very suitable place. Prices are great!
At the end of the trip, Brazilians have a certain stop at the airport: the free shop. Without taxes, the products are priced much better than those offered in the Brazilian market in general. There is a little bit of everything in the store: clothes, watches, perfumes, glasses, bags, chocolates, cigarettes, among other products.
Punta Cana International Airport
Punta Cana Airport (PUJ) has a very different style, when compared to other airports in the world – its structure and decoration are very typical. Several flights full of tourists arrive through it. The airport has a free shop, for those on international flights, and several restaurants.
For us Brazilians, an alternative is to go with Gol, which stops in Caracas. Flights from São Paulo are not very comfortable or have entertainment, but due to the accumulation of Smiles miles and the company’s promotions, they can be a good option. There is also the possibility of going with the Copa, which connects in Panama, and with the LAN (connection in Lima). If you choose to go with the World Cup, you can amend a stop over to visit Panama City, great for shopping.
Plaza Bibijagua
Plaza Bibijagua, with the same name as the nearby beach, is a great place to buy handcrafted items at great prices. There are wooden pieces, necklaces, pictures, bags, drinks, cigars etc. The price there is much better than the stores in the hotels or the airport, but you have to consider that to get there you will need a taxi, and the rides are very expensive in Punta Cana. For those who want variety and good prices, a visit to this place is essential.
Shopping Palma Real
For more refined shopping, this is the best place in Punta Cana. Prices are not very attractive, but the place is worth the visit. In some hotels there are free buses, with established schedules, that take customers to the mall. There you will find a cinema, bank and currency exchange, as well as designer stores such as Guess, QuickSilver, Puma, Adidas, Billabong, Hard Rock and Swarovski.