Punta Cana Nearest town? ok to visit?

dollykeener

New member
Feb 27, 2007
2
0
0
Traveling to Punta Cana with a friend (2 females). Staying at the Riu Taino. We would like to find a small town near by ,mabey some shopping. can any one suggest anything? How far of a drive? Thanks alot for any help!! Dolly
 
Last edited:

freekofweek

New member
Feb 22, 2005
32
0
0
Traveling to Punta Cana with a friend (2 females). Staying at the Riu Taino. We would like to find a small town near by ,mabey some shopping. can any one suggest anything? How far of a drive? Thanks alot for any help!! Dolly


Everything is very, very expensive in Punta Cana/Bavaro due to the high level of tourism. You can go to Huigay which is about 45 minutes away and it has 2-3 stores similar to small Walmarts. It cost about $50-$60 for round trip and 2 hour shopping time. The Bavaro/Punta Cana area is not the place to go shopping unless you are looking for tourist "junk" to take back home.
You can go to the "tourist" mall in Bavaro called Plaza Bavaro but it mostly junk, junk and more junk. (t-shirts, beer mugs, tourist clothes, etc.) Make sure that you haggle as their starting price is 3 X's the real purchase price.
I would suggest that you enjoy the beach and relax and wait to go shopping "back" home.
 

KateP

Silver
May 28, 2004
2,845
6
38
Everything is very, very expensive in Punta Cana/Bavaro due to the high level of tourism. You can go to Huigay which is about 45 minutes away and it has 2-3 stores similar to small Walmarts. It cost about $50-$60 for round trip and 2 hour shopping time. The Bavaro/Punta Cana area is not the place to go shopping unless you are looking for tourist "junk" to take back home.
You can go to the "tourist" mall in Bavaro called Plaza Bavaro but it mostly junk, junk and more junk. (t-shirts, beer mugs, tourist clothes, etc.) Make sure that you haggle as their starting price is 3 X's the real purchase price.
I would suggest that you enjoy the beach and relax and wait to go shopping "back" home.

Geez, that really inspires people to come visit the area...

Dollykeener, Punta Cana and Bavaro are really tourist areas which are just now being developed so that the local population can find everyday necessities. In the Bavaro area you have many gift shops with a big mix of products at different prices and many different types of restaurants. In Punta Cana you have a few higher-end clothing stores like Oscar de la Renta and Nautica along with several nice eating establishments. As freekofweek mentioned, the closest "city" is Higuey, about 1 hour away and there you can find local stores but no big shopping mall or high quality stores. This is where most of the hotel employees live.

Hope you enjoy your visit. The area is the best place for R&R. Check out the excursions available with you hotel services. You might find something more interesting to do.
 
Feb 7, 2007
8,005
625
113
Palma Real

Melia Resorts/Paradissus just got the Palma Real Shopping Village opened in late December. It's quite a big mall, located just at the entrance of Melia Hotels (between Barcelo and Cortecito). I have not yet visited, but it's huge, has many brand-name shops, restaurants and even 2 banks.