
Souvenirs & What to Buy in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
1. Amber Jewelry
Handcrafted jewelry made from Dominican amber, a fossilized tree resin with unique colors and patterns.
- Authenticity: Look for the Certificate of Authenticity to ensure you're purchasing genuine Dominican amber.
- Color Variety: Amber comes in various colors, from clear to opaque, each with its unique charm.
- Design: Choose from a wide range of designs, from traditional to modern, to suit your style.
2. Palm Leaf Hats
Traditional palm leaf hats known as 'Jipijapa' hats, woven by local artisans in the Zona Colonial.
- Quality: Look for tight weaving and a comfortable fit to ensure durability.
- Design: Choose from various designs, from simple to intricate, to suit your style.
- Cultural Significance: Support local artisans by purchasing a handcrafted Jipijapa hat and preserve this traditional craft.
3. Larimar Jewelry
Beautiful blue gemstones found only in the Dominican Republic, Larimar jewelry is a unique souvenir.
- Rarity: Larimar is a rare gemstone, making each piece of jewelry special and valuable.
- Color: The unique blue color of Larimar makes it an attractive and distinctive choice for jewelry.
- Design: Choose from a variety of designs, from simple to intricate, to suit your style.
4. Manga Rooster Statues
Unique ceramic rooster statues with colorful manga-style designs, a fun and quirky Santo Domingo souvenir.
- Artistry: Each statue is handcrafted, showcasing the skill of local ceramic artists.
- Design: Choose from various manga-inspired designs, each with its unique character and charm.
- Size: Statues come in a range of sizes, allowing you to choose one that fits your space perfectly.
5. Coco Bongo Merchandise
Official merchandise from the famous Coco Bongo club in Santo Domingo, a fun reminder of your nightlife experience.
- Quality: Look for high-quality materials to ensure your souvenir lasts.
- Design: Choose from a variety of designs, from t-shirts and hoodies to accessories.
- Authenticity: Purchase official merchandise at the club or authorized retailers to ensure authenticity.
6. Bachata Music CDs
CDs featuring popular Dominican Bachata music, a must-have for music lovers.
- Artist Popularity: Choose from popular artists like Juan Luis Guerra or Romeo Santos.
- Quality of Music: Look for high-quality recordings to enjoy the music at home.
- Language: If you're a language learner, choose CDs with lyrics to help improve your Spanish.
7. Dominican Rum
High-quality Dominican rum, perfect for savoring the taste of the Caribbean at home.
- Quality: Look for high-quality rum from reputable brands like Brugal or Barceló.
- Flavor Variety: Choose from a variety of flavors, from golden to dark rum and aged to unaged.
- Presentation: Consider purchasing a special edition bottle as a unique souvenir.
8. Dominican Coffee
High-quality Dominican coffee beans, perfect for brewing at home.
- Quality: Look for high-quality coffee from reputable brands like Café San Francisco.
- Flavor Variety: Choose from a variety of flavors, from light to dark roast and ground to whole beans.
- Presentation: Consider purchasing a special edition bag as a unique souvenir.
9. Dominican Cigars
High-quality Dominican cigars, perfect for cigar enthusiasts.
- Quality: Look for high-quality cigars from reputable brands like Arturo Fuente or Davidoff.
- Flavor Variety: Choose from a variety of flavors, from mild to full-bodied and long to short filler cigars.
- Size: Choose a size that suits your preferences, from small to large cigars.
10. Traditional Handmade Guitars
Handcrafted Dominican guitars, a perfect souvenir for music lovers.
- Quality: Look for high-quality craftsmanship to ensure durability.
- Design: Choose from various designs, from traditional to modern, to suit your style.
- Sound Quality: Listen to the guitar before purchasing to ensure a good sound quality.
11. San Felipe Fortress Artifacts
Artifacts from the San Felipe Fortress, including replicas of cannons and souvenirs with the fort's design.
- Authenticity: Look for items that are officially licensed by the San Felipe Fortress.
- Design: Choose from various designs, from simple to intricate, to suit your style.
- Historical Significance: Support the preservation of this important historical site by purchasing its souvenirs.
12. Merengue Music CDs
CDs featuring popular Dominican Merengue music, a must-have for music lovers.
- Artist Popularity: Choose from popular artists like Juan Luis Guerra or Wilfrido Vargas.
- Quality of Music: Look for high-quality recordings to enjoy the music at home.
- Language: If you're a language learner, choose CDs with lyrics to help improve your Spanish.
13. Alta Gracia Clothing
Clothing and accessories from Alta Gracia, a fair trade factory that employs local workers.
- Quality: Look for high-quality materials to ensure your souvenir lasts.
- Design: Choose from various designs, from simple to intricate, to suit your style.
- Fair Trade: Support fair trade by purchasing clothing and accessories from Alta Gracia.
14. Eco-Friendly Shopping Bags
Reusable shopping bags made from eco-friendly materials, a practical souvenir for travelers.
- Material Quality: Look for durable and long-lasting materials to ensure the bag lasts.
- Design: Choose from various designs, from simple to intricate, to suit your style.
- Environmental Impact: Reduce your environmental impact by using reusable shopping bags instead of plastic ones.
15. Taino Art
Art inspired by the indigenous Taino culture, a unique and historical souvenir.
- Authenticity: Look for art that accurately represents Taino culture and history.
- Design: Choose from various designs, from simple to intricate, to suit your style.
- Cultural Significance: Support the preservation of Taino culture by purchasing its art.