Shopping is fun and colorful!

A reputation for excellent cuisine has taken hold in Juan Dolio and Guayacanes. Sophisticated palates can choose from a variety of fine restaurants ranging from informal to casually elegant, even a few with noteworthy wine cellars.

Italian restaurants and steak and seafood abound here. Since most restaurants cater to domestic vacationers coming in from Santo Domingo, prices in Juan Dolio are attractive all year round.

Located on the street in front of Costa del Sol are many open air restaurants. They are very affordable and offer great food. Here are a few to choose from:

• Restaurant Marbella
• Giuglia Cafe – great breakfasts
• El Meson: Seafood and Mediterranean
• El Sueño: Italian Food
• Pizzeria Cala: Fine Cuisine
• International Casa del Pescador: Fresh Sea food served on the beach
• El Concon: Local Food and Pizzeria
• Deli Swiss: International Cuisine
• Cafe Bistro

Shopping

For souvenirs, many small shops line the beach front road for a leisurely shopping trip on foot. Friendly vendors ply the beaches, selling jewelry, t-shirts and crafts priced with haggling in mind. For groceries, rum, cigars and Dominican coffee there’s a supermarket next door to the Decameron hotel. For serious shopping, take the Santo Domingo city tour or if you are an independent sort, take the public bus into the city. San Pedro is closer than Santo Domingo but most people prefer shopping amid the culture and history of Santo Domingo’s colonial zone to the chaos of San Pedro.