So you want to know what souvenirs to buy in Punta Cana? It seems like “everybody and their mother” is going to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic this year. A Youtuber I follow just got married there (after she had just attended her friend’s wedding there a month before). That doesn’t even include the people I know personally that are going in the near future. So I had to get this post out for you. Then you’ll know what souvenirs to buy in Punta Cana when you visit.

Dominican Coffee

I’m not a coffee drinker but the Dominican Republic is known for their coffee. This is a great souvenir. I bought coffee for a few people in Costa Rica and they raved about it. It’s the perfect thing to buy for others. Or to buy for yourself if you are a coffee drinker.

Stone Jewelry

Buy necklaces made of polished volcanic rock. You can pick these up in many Caribbean countries. It makes a great gift for the jewelry lover in your life.

Or pick up something more local. Larimar is a blue pectolite stone that is famous in the Dominican Republic. I did not purchase any while I was there. However, it is also a good choice for souvenirs to buy in Punta Cana. Mainly because it is the national stone of the Dominican Republic.

Locally Made Clothing

A T-shirt is not the most unique thing to buy in Punta Cana. That changes when the shirt is made in the Dominican Republic. If you can find locally made items of clothing, definitely buy them.

I also purchased imported pants. These were made in Thailand and I saw them and had to have them (in two colors). Lots of local vendors do sell items from other countries as well.

Dominican Vanilla extract

A friend bought me vanilla extract from Haiti. I use it in everything from cakes to drinks. My bottle was running low so I decided to pick up some vanilla extract from Punta Cana.

The brand I picked up is Sabor Dominicano. There are dark and light versions. I bought the dark version (top image). Cooking items are great souvenirs to buy in Punta Cana because you’re bringing home the flavors of the country with you.

Dominican Liquor

Mamajuana liquor is famous in the Dominican Republic. I had never heard of it. I honestly wasn’t sure what was in it by the name but I picked up a bottle. It’s made by soaking tree bark and herbs in rum and red wine. It was created as an herbal medicine. The brand I purchased was Karibú (top image). My mom purchased the Mayimbe brand (top image).

My sister also picked up two bottles of rum (above). She asked the store clerk for one to cook with and one to drink. They gave her a light rum and a dark rum. The brand is Ron Barcelo. It is named for Spanish immigrant Julian Barcelo and founded in 1930. Ron Barcelo is considered a popular brand of Dominican rum.

Magnets

This is such a cliché souvenir but I still pick one up every place I go. This an nice gift to give someone. And every time I walk into my kitchen I’m reminded of the places I’ve visited. 

Where to Shop

Plaza Punta Cana was a 7 minute drive from my resort. It is a outdoor shopping plaza. That’s where the jewelry and one of the magnets came from. The resort gift shop was pretty reasonable so I purchased a few items from there. Lastly, the Punta Cana airport was great for last minute items.

Have you been to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic? Are you planning on going in the future? I hope this post was helpful.

Checkout all my Dominican Republic posts here.