Mercado Modelo — Attraction in Santo Domingo

I've wanted to go here for awhile and finally had the chance to visit.

First off, you can park along the streets surrounding the block with the market if you can find a place but on the north side of the block there's a covered, shaded parking garage that costs 200 pesos. Good deal.

There are fruit stands around the outer perimeter that are fun to see, selling herbs and spices, fruits, and meats. There are a few stores selling local artisanal items just across the street from the north entrance.

Inside the alleys are tight and while there is no AC there are fans that circulate the air and keep it from being super hot. It's warm but doable. The stalls are very similar, selling larimar and amber pieces, jewelry in coral and shell, with clothing, purses, caps, bags, and various local crafts and items.

I had been looking for higuero bowl and found several that were perfect and well priced. It's a great place for photos, interesting local tourist things, and just a general time to browse and enjoy the local items.

Would recommend, it's...

Not a safe place for tourists. We got a taxi here and walked around the market. The vendors are extremely pushy, more so than anywhere else in the D.R. One of the vendors were very nice but still followed us around.

Once you leave the market, you’re thrown into a very rough area, which gets worse as you walk through. People become much less friendly, stare a lot and it’s a lot more intimidating.

We had someone try to suggest we put our phones away, then tried to suggest we should give him money. He then followed us around everywhere we went, trying to make us give him money. Then, it rained and a local person let us in their shop for shelter, but she told us to be careful round there as people have bad intentions in this area. The guy trying to get money from us was a thief.

It’s a real shame about this area, as the locals would thrive if it was a tourist hot spot. But sadly, it’s a forgotten area with a really unfriendly vibe. And very difficult to get out of once you’re in.

If you’re a tourist, take my word for it… I’d...

You can get amazing deals here! There are some crazy items like machetes that you can get for pennies on the peso! However, some of the vendors in this area are ridiculously aggressive. There was one man that grabbed me by the arm simply for him to get me into his store. Another man stopped me at the door as I was leaving to buy some coffee from him as well. I mean, hey, whatever works, though. I did get to pick up some wonderful items here, like a starfish necklace for my mom, along with other things. If you'd like to experience somewhat of a thrill and get great deals while you're at it, this is the place for you.

Just remember: always negotiate the price down by at least by 30% always, and act a little disinterested when buying things, because when you walk away, they will usually rethink turning down your offer. Never pay full price for anything. As poor as some of these people may be, getting ripped off doesn't help the economy or them that much. There is always the sucker right in front of you they have to...