Tobaccos for Sale, Photo Credit: Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism
Bring home a piece of the island when you visit the Dominican Republic. One of the more popular souvenirs is a hand-rolled cigar. The Caribbean island has a long history with the tobacco industry and is littered with cigar factories, where you can get a tour, watch the stogies being rolled and purchase some to take home.
If drinking is your vice, pick up a bottle of mamajuana. Unique to the Dominican, this stiff drink is a mix of rum, red wine and honey that’s soaked with tree bark and herbs. It’s often served as a shot — ask for one at a local bar if you want to sample it first — and is said to be an aphrodisiac.
A popular drinkable souvenir you can pick up on the island is rum, the most well-known liquor hailing from the Caribbean. You will find a number of rums made in the Dominican Republic, including Brugal, Barceló, Bermudez, Siboney and Vizcaya.
For a non-alcoholic alternative, buy some local coffee. Dominican beans make for a rich, earthy cup of joe.
Hand-painted Faceless Dolls, Photo Credit: Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism
For something more artsy, visit the beaches, which are often lined with local merchants selling their goods. In fact, depending on where you stay, your resort might even invite them on the grounds for a few hours to allow for convenient poolside shopping. These entrepreneurs have souvenirs that you won’t find anywhere else. Browse their small paintings, wooden statues and beautiful pieces of amber or larimar (a sky-blue gem) jewelry.
