2 Best Places to Shop in Southeast Coast, Dominican Republic

Altos de Chavón is a re-creation of a 16th-century Mediterranean village on the grounds of the Casa de Campo resort, where you can find a church, art galleries, boutiques, restaurants, nightspots, and souvenir shops, and a 5,000-seat amphitheater for concerts grouped around a cobbled square. At the Altos de Chavón Art Studios you can find ceramics, weaving, and screen prints made by local and resident artists. Extra special is the Jenny Polanco Project. The late Dominican fashion designer made an outlet for Dominican, Haitian, and Caribbean craftsmen to sell their wares, from Carnival masks to baskets and carved plates. Tienda Batey sells fine linens handcrafted by women from the sugar plantation bateys (poor villages). You'll also find Everett Designs (jewelry), El Mercadito (a minimarket), Luna Taína (a craft shop), and Cabinet Tobacco Boutique (fine Dominican cigars).

Casa de Campo's top-ranked marina is home to shops and international boutiques, galleries, and jewelers scattered amid restaurants, banks, and other services. The chic shopping scene includes Kiwi St. Tropez (French swimwear), Poupette St. Barth (swimwear and accessories for women), Vilebrequin (French swimwear), Melissa Odabash (casual clothing for women), The supermercado Nacional has not only groceries but sundries, postcards, and snacks. And there's a pharmacy, among other miscellaneous stores.