As your vacation in an apartment or bungalow with stunning ocean views in the Dominican Republic comes to an end, you will want to bring home some Dominican souvenirs that will serve as a reminder of your vacation or gifts to your friends and family. The Dominican Republic is extremely rich in this regard - from here you can bring not only sentimental trinkets, but also objects of practical use and value.
Everyone has a list of family members, friends, relatives or colleagues, and everyone needs to pick up a souvenir. It is advisable to do this so that spending does not push you into a hole in credit. How? Read the article and find out what is best to bring from Punta Cana.
Rum
The Dominican Republic is an exporter of high quality rum. You can visit your local shop for a bottle, or order a patch of mojitos from the bar in search of the sweetest and deepest alcoholic drink in the Caribbean.
But the usual "Barcelo" can be bought in the duty-free, and in any Moscow or St. Petersburg alcohol network. Since you've traveled half the world and ended up in the Caribbean, choose something special! For example, branded rum Brugal XV , aged for fifteen years, at the Brugal winery in Puerto Plata will cost $ 12-15 per bottle.
Fans of liqueurs and cocktails should pay attention to brands such as Mat Jerusalem or Barcelo . A bottle of this fragrant, strong drink will allow you to return for a moment to those good days that you spent on the beaches of this wonderful island on a dull winter evening.
Mamahuana
Mamahuana is a traditional Dominican herbal liqueur: it contains various herbs, wine, honey, rum and the bark of local trees. The inhabitants of the island use it for medicinal purposes. It tastes damn bitter, but has a mild aftertaste.
Usually it is sold ready-made in bottles, but you can get confused and buy ingredients in the store, so that you can then cook it at home - on your own. Getting liqueur ingredients is perhaps the best way to bring Mamajuana home. But before importing herbs and roots into the country, you need to inquire at the customs office - will it give the go-ahead.
Cigars
Now you can forget Cuban cigars like a bad dream - after all, Dominican cigars are much better! Punta Cana cigars are made from high quality tobacco and grown here as part of the cultural heritage, and not just an agricultural activity.
Tourist programs often include visits to cigar factories - there you can see how they are made and buy some from the factory store.
Picture
Dominican visual arts, drawing, painting and graphics are under great African and Spanish influence. Samples of local painting can be found in bazaars and markets. Buy paintings directly from artists: this will allow you to save money, artists - to earn, and send dealers to hell. Moreover, it is a guarantee of the authenticity of the work.
Larimar or amber
The most famous local treasure is a stone called larimar . It is a rare semi-precious mineral from the pectolite family. The color varies from white, bypassing blue and blue-green, to dark blue shades, even bluish-black. The blue color is caused by copper impurities.
The Dominicans have used the larimar as a decoration since time immemorial. As a rule, it is set in silver, but the best stones are worthy of gold jewelry.
Another option is amber . The fossilized resins of tropical trees look similar to the Baltic amber, but larger, and the color is more intense.
Coffee
Quality coffee is sold in most Dominican shops, supermarkets and local markets for mere pennies - a hundred-gram pack for five bucks. The local coffee is known throughout the world and is appreciated for its high quality, rich taste and moderate - from low to medium - acidity.
Don't buy corn at the airport: use the plantation shops and dealer networks Induban and Santo Domingo . Remember that whole coffee beans last indefinitely. This is the perfect keepsake.
Cocoa
Chocolate lovers know that the Dominican Republic is the world's leading producer and exporter of cocoa. Surely some chocolates in your life were made from cocoa beans from the Dominican Republic!
Check out the beans and produce from the Cabarette Cacao Company, Fresh Fresh Cabarette and cacao man. Meet these brands - be sure to buy: this may be your only chance to experience the true taste of authentic chocolate.
Statues of the Unknown
Figurines of the Unknown are a popular traditional work of art in the Republic. Usually their material is mahogany or terracotta, so this is a souvenir for the passionate collector. The figurines are dressed up in traditional clothes, decorated with flowers and fruits. Everything is littered with statuettes, from the alleys of dead ends in villages to city squares. They can be easily found in souvenir shops. Although they are featureless, they can help you get started with the culture of the island.
