Market · Bávaro

Bávaro Flea Market (Mercado de las Pulgas)

Tucked behind the main tourist boulevard in Bávaro, this open-air market is where the real commercial life of the region plays out — a vivid tangle of hand-painted larimar jewellery, amber pendants, Carnival masks, rum bottles and hand-embroidered tablecloths. It is loud, colourful and completely authentic.

What to Buy

Dominican larimar — a rare pale-blue pectolite found only in the southwest of the island — is the standout purchase. Vendors here sell it in raw stone form and set into silver rings and pendants; prices are far lower than resort boutiques, starting around US $8 for a small pendant. Amber with fossilised insects is another local speciality worth hunting for.

Hand-carved wooden figures, Taíno-inspired ceramic bowls and hand-rolled cigars from the Cibao Valley fill the stalls between the jewellery sellers. A box of 10 hand-rolled cigars typically costs US $15–25 depending on quality and your bargaining skills.

How to Navigate It

The market runs along several covered aisles and spills into an open courtyard. Arrive in the morning when vendors are freshest and most willing to negotiate — the accepted practice is to offer 60 % of the asking price and work upward. Never feel pressured; a polite 'no gracias' and a slow walk away almost always produces a better offer.

Keep small bills handy — vendors rarely have change for US $50 notes. Most accept US dollars and Dominican pesos interchangeably, though you'll get a slightly better rate paying in pesos.