Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
ART GALLERIES
Walking around Santo Domingo, you'll see sidewalk displays of simple, colorful canvases of rural life
and landscapes. This so-called Haitian or 'primitive art' is so prevalent that it's understandable if you
mistake it for the country's de facto wallpaper. Most of what you see on the street is mass-produced,
low-quality amateur pieces with little value.
For unique and interesting Dominican pieces, there are a number of formal galleries in Santo
Arzobispo Meriño 207; 9am-7pm Mon-Sat, 10am-1pm Sun), which has been selling art long
enough to attract a wide range of talented Dominican painters. The
Galeria de Arte Candido Bido
MAP
GOOGLE MAP
(Calle Dr Baez 5, Gazcue; 9:30am-12:30pm & 3pm-6:30 Mon-Fri, to
12:30pm Sat) displays the intensely colorful and exuberant works reflecting this well-known painter's
affection for the rural people of his native Cibao region. Every square inch of the small
De Soto
Galería
809-689-6109; Calle Hostos 215;
9am-5pm Mon-Fri) is filled
MAP
with an array of antiques and paintings by Dominican and Haitian artists.
Outside the Zona Colonial are dozens of other galleries that feature Haitian and Dominican art.
8am-noon & 2-6pm Mon-Fri) and
Galería de Arte El Pincel
MAP
809-544-4295; Gustavo Mejía Ricart 24, Naco;
8am-noon & 2-6pm Mon-Fri) are good options.
Shopping
More than anywhere else in the country, shopping in Santo Domingo runs the gamut from
cheap tourist kitsch to high-end quality collectibles. The easiest - and best - neighbor-
hood to shop in is the Zona Colonial, where you'll find rows of shops offering locally
made products at decent prices.
Large, American-style malls are scattered around the city, especially in the adjoining
downtown neighborhoods of Paraiso, Piantini, Naco and Miraflores. They include Novo-
centro, Blue Mall, Acropolis, Plaza Naco, Diamond Mall and Agora and Sambil, the two
newest and possibly nicest.
If you're considering buying something in amber or larimar, shop around, since these
stones, considered national treasures, are ubiquitous in Santo Domingo. Typically they're
presented as jewelry, but occasionally you'll find figurines, rosaries and other small ob-
jects. Quality and price vary greatly, and fakes aren't uncommon. In Zona Colonial, the
most recommended places are Amber World Museum (
Click here
)
and Larimar Museum
(
Click here
)
.