The Fine Gift Center

Located on the ground floor, just beneath the Amber Gallery, the Fine Gift Center (Calle 12 de Julio and Jose del Carmen Ariza, tel. 809/586-6467, www.ambercollection.itgo.com, 9 a.m.–6 p.m. Mon.–Fri., 9 a.m.–2 p.m. Sat., closed Sun.) has a wide assortment of amber, larimar, and shell jewelry. You can also buy postcards and T-shirts, coffee, vanilla, mamajuana, and many other souvenirs.

Two worlds, two markets. Goods at the Mercado Nuevo (Puerto Plata, Av. Isabel de Torres and Villanueva, 8 a.m.–9 p.m. Mon.–Sat.) are not as plentiful as at the Mercado in Santo Domingo, but it has a great selection of Dominican and Haitian art, the usual trinkets along with rums and cigars, and some fresh produce. The vendors inflate prices expecting that you’ll haggle or in the hopes that you’ll actually pay them.

The Mercado Viejo (Puerto Plata, Calle Ureña and Separación, 8 a.m.–6:30 p.m. Mon.–Sat.) is another matter. The Old Market is where you will find the botanicos, the everyday items that Dominicans need for their homes, more produce, and better prices, but fewer trinkets.

Playa Dorada Plaza (Playa Dorada, Calle Duarte at Avenida 30 de Marzo, tel. 809/320-6645, fax 809/320-8243) is a good bet for anything you might need, services or shopping, in the area. Here you’ll find a variety of (frequently changing) bars and restaurants, jewelry stores, tour operators, Internet access, and gift shops galore. From the main road, take the western entrance into the Playa Dorada complex.

© Ana Chavier Caamaño from Moon Dominican Republic, 4th edition