The 5 Best Markets in Santo Domingo
Santo Domingo is the capital of the Dominican Republic, and is one of the oldest cities in the Caribbean. Whether you’re searching for food, art or clothes, a stroll through the markets of Santo Domingo is a must. The Culture Trip highlights our favourite destinations.
Mercado Modelo
Market
Mercado Modelo
The largest market in the city, Santo Domingo’s Mercado Modelo is the model example of a Caribbean craft market. With countless vendors selling everything from jewellery to liquor and Cuban cigars, this market serves well as a one-stop shop for souvenirs from Santo Domingo. Keep an eye out for special items such as amber necklaces, bracelets and Haitian landscape art.
Opening hours: N/A
Watch out for: handmade Dominican and Haitian finds in the largest Santo Domingo flea market
Address: Av. Mella, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Merca Santo Domingo
Merca Santo Domingo
Merca Santo Domingo offers a great opportunity to explore the wide range of fresh produce that this region of the Dominican Republic has to offer. Guests can buy anything, from juicy bananas and colorful pineapples, to fresh bell peppers in vibrant reds, greens and yellows. An abundance of grain is also available, along with fresh meat and poultry. If you’re interested in trying your hand at Dominican cooking, this is the place to get fresh, authentic ingredients to prepare traditional meals.
Opening hours: 6am-6pm Daily
Watch out for: fresh produce, meat, and grain, good for use in Dominican cooking
Address: Autopista Duarte, La Guayiga, Dominican Republic, 829 541-6464
Calle El Conde
Calle El Conde
Calle El Conde is part of the colonial city of Santo Domingo. The only pedestrian street in the area, it’s the perfect space for vendors to set up shop, and for visitors to take a leisurely stroll through the historic district of the city whilst perusing the Dominican gifts on offer. El conde is brimming with shops and hotels, and onlookers can experience the artistic flare of the Caribbean when walking past the kaleidoscopic hangings and beautiful flowers. The Dominican Republic is renowned for its amber trade, and this is a great place to walk away with a new piece of jewelry from one of the many boutiques.
Opening hours: N/A
Watch out for: historic street in Santo Domingo, filled with shops and hotels
Address: Calle El Conde, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Pulga de Antigüedades
Market
Pulga de Antigüedades
Pulga de Antigüedades is a flea market held on Sundays, set in a small plaza one block north of Parque Colón. If you’re looking for a friendly setting in which to search for some antiques and other handcrafted goods, this is the place to be. Art, items for the home, clothes and even books can be purchased here from a variety of vendors. Be sure to try some of the hot food sold by street vendors almost as soon as you walk in, including tasty meat skewers and chicharrón.
Opening hours: held Sundays
Watch out for: antique and handmade goods
Address: held in a plaza one block north of Parque Colón
KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?
Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world
Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.
Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.
Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.
Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.
We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.