An artisans market, El Artístico (tel. 809/556-2273), lies on the northern side of Carretera Romana, Km 3.5, at a point 1km (2/3 mile) east of Yina Bambu Shop. This is set up almost exclusively for tourists and offers a limited selection of arts and crafts. It mainly offers souvenirs, most of which are of dubious quality. The market is open daily 7:30am to 7pm.

For more substantial shopping, head to Yina Bambu Shop, Km 4.5, Carretera Romana (tel. 809/550-8322), open daily 7:30am to 7pm. Lying on the south side of the main road into town, this is the best showcase in the area for Dominican handicrafts and furnishings, even amber necklaces and bracelets. The merchandise dims when compared with what's available in the Colonial Zone of Santo Domingo, but you may not be going there to shop.

If you're a true shopper, seeking some quality items, we suggest you head to Altos de Chavón.

Some of the terra-cotta pots and planters manufactured in this part of the D.R. are deeply respected and appreciated by homeowners and gardeners in places as far away as Florida. A purveyor of garden pots and statuary, set about 5km (3 miles) west of Higuëy, and about 60km (37 miles) west of Casa de Campo, is El Mundo del Tarro, Km 4.5, Higuëy, Otra Banda (tel. 809/383-1909). The raw clay for many of these pots is mined in Mocca, a town in the central D.R. made famous as the home of many generations of political dissidents (including some who participated in the assassination of dictator Trujillo). The clay from Mocca is hauled to workrooms here, near Higuëy; crafted into pots and statuary, glazed or not glazed, depending on the pot; and sold. Whereas the store can, after some negotiations, arrange for shipping, you'll probably find that it's a lot easier to simply carry the smaller of your purchases with you. The selection is enormous, and many of the forms were directly inspired by models from Iberia.

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.