Best Punta Cana Shopping

If you're less interested in jewelry and souvenirs and just want to see some local culture, try heading to Higüey for a dose of real life. This open-air market of meats, fish and produce (and flies and stray dogs) is always bustling with locals. You know, those real people that live outside of the resort and do all the world to make Punta Cana such a wonderful place. Keep in mind that you have to wash any produce you pick up here very carefully. It's a great place for taking pictures and for getting a sample of real Dominican life.

Plaza Bavaro is right in the middle of shopping central and consists of restaurants, banks, an internet center and about 50 or so gift shops with a lot of the same souvenirs. If you've ever wanted to hone your bartering skills, this will be your ultimate classroom. Every shopkeeper will call out to you and no prices are set in stone, so put on your best aggressive haggling face and see how low you can get them to go.

This little commercial haven is full of shops, restaurants and art galleries, as well as a playground for the kids. The village was originally built to house employees of the PUNTACANA Resort & Club but has become something of a destination itself due to its Oscar de la Renta shop and local art exhibits. If you're staying at Tortuga Bay or PUNTACANA Resort & Club, you can get a shuttle there for free.

Some people unwind by lying in the sun; others unwind by shopping at the mall. Palma Real is a mall with all the spoils of home. You know, things like a sushi, hair salon, Spanish restaurant, gift shops, makeup, jewelry, clothes, a Tony Roma's and even a Hard Rock Cafe. Palma Real is where to go when you realize you didn't bring a pair of jeans for horseback riding or don't have shoes to match the dress you bought on the beach.