Playa Dorada Mall
Playa Dorada Mall
3.3
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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3.3
119 reviews
Excellent
21
Very good
31
Average
42
Poor
16
Terrible
9
BrakiWorldTraveler
Belgrade, Serbia20,819 contributions
Jan 2022
We were several times here as it was just by our hotel in the Playa Dorada complex.
The mall looks really sad with just a few shops open and very few people.
However, we bought our souvenirs here as well the cigars.
Bargaining is a must for everything, but most important is for cigars. You can make a good business with that reselling them back home.
Here, I'm speaking about the fake Cohiba, Montecristo and others they offer. They will quote a 25 cigar box 150-200 $. Your first offer should be 30-40 $ for that, in order to make a deal at 50 $. Do NOT pay over 50$, they will agree to it when you try to leave the store. I double checked the price here and in town also and bought 5 boxes, each for 50$.
Again, I'm speaking about fake - just check what's the best made box, cigars are OK.
Originals are about the same everywhere, around 10$+ for a piece.
The mall looks really sad with just a few shops open and very few people.
However, we bought our souvenirs here as well the cigars.
Bargaining is a must for everything, but most important is for cigars. You can make a good business with that reselling them back home.
Here, I'm speaking about the fake Cohiba, Montecristo and others they offer. They will quote a 25 cigar box 150-200 $. Your first offer should be 30-40 $ for that, in order to make a deal at 50 $. Do NOT pay over 50$, they will agree to it when you try to leave the store. I double checked the price here and in town also and bought 5 boxes, each for 50$.
Again, I'm speaking about fake - just check what's the best made box, cigars are OK.
Originals are about the same everywhere, around 10$+ for a piece.
Written 12 February 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rob K
180 contributions
Mar 2020
This mall is located in the centre of the Playa Dorada complex and is pretty much set up for an easy way for tourists to shop for souvenirs, snacks, pharmacy needs, lotions, liquor, jewelry, bars, restaurants, spas and cinema.
It is within easy walking distance from most resorts on good sidewalks. There is not much traffic to worry about, not like going out of Playa Dorada and walking along the main road into town. No one tries to sell you anything on the resort, except for the horse and buggy rides, as they do outside the resort complex.
All of the shops are independently owned and they are aggressive to get your business. They have most of the same product, and prices are close, but I found that if you go the second level, they seem to be more flexible on the prices.
Once in the mall, you are covered from the sun/rain.
It is within easy walking distance from most resorts on good sidewalks. There is not much traffic to worry about, not like going out of Playa Dorada and walking along the main road into town. No one tries to sell you anything on the resort, except for the horse and buggy rides, as they do outside the resort complex.
All of the shops are independently owned and they are aggressive to get your business. They have most of the same product, and prices are close, but I found that if you go the second level, they seem to be more flexible on the prices.
Once in the mall, you are covered from the sun/rain.
Written 16 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Paul-Maine
Lyman, ME130 contributions
May 2018 • Friends
It is worth visiting the mall on a cloudy day. Pretty much all of the stores carry the same souvenirs, and you can bargain more with the stores on the 2nd level. The prices will be higher than what is offered on the beach, but you also get a larger selection. There is a good Italian restaurant located in the mall that is reasonably priced.
Written 25 May 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
drgmobile
Ottawa, Canada183 contributions
Dec 2024 • Friends
We visited this dumpy mall a couple of times on our trip. I bought an overpriced adult drink cup for USD $20. The handle broke on the first day and the sour manager working at Island Stuff refused to even replace it.
We also bought wine here and later found it at less than half the price in the city. Coffee was overpriced here too.
Just don’t bother!
We also bought wine here and later found it at less than half the price in the city. Coffee was overpriced here too.
Just don’t bother!
Written 31 December 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
A G
Ennismore, Canada133 contributions
Mar 2023
My kids and I walked to the Playa Dorada Mall a few times during our stay at the Sunscape. If you are looking for souvenirs, the prices are better than at the resort. You can barter a bit in some, not at all in others. I found the best souvenir shop to be the one on the lower level with the price tags. The other shops do not have price tags and they told me different prices from one day to the next.
My teenage daughter felt very uncomfortable here. Some of the vendors/shop owners are quite aggressive at trying to get you into their store. Really vocal and approaching you. Sometimes “no, gracias” is not enough and you need to ignore them and walk in the other direction.
One day we needed to go to the pharmacy for bandaids. After searching for several minutes, the lady who worked there found one old, dusty box on the back of a shelf. It had been opened already but was just the size we needed for a big cut my daughter had got. (Our resort had a very poor excuse for a first-aid kit). In Canada, this box of bandaids would have cost around $4. This pharmacy wanted $31 US!! We said “no, gracias” and decided to make due with what we could scrounge together at the resort.
Plus side is there is a good variety of souvenirs.
My teenage daughter felt very uncomfortable here. Some of the vendors/shop owners are quite aggressive at trying to get you into their store. Really vocal and approaching you. Sometimes “no, gracias” is not enough and you need to ignore them and walk in the other direction.
One day we needed to go to the pharmacy for bandaids. After searching for several minutes, the lady who worked there found one old, dusty box on the back of a shelf. It had been opened already but was just the size we needed for a big cut my daughter had got. (Our resort had a very poor excuse for a first-aid kit). In Canada, this box of bandaids would have cost around $4. This pharmacy wanted $31 US!! We said “no, gracias” and decided to make due with what we could scrounge together at the resort.
Plus side is there is a good variety of souvenirs.
Written 17 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jamie B
3 contributions
Mar 2023 • Family
Mall is pretty decrepit. The vendors were a little aggressive in the more trafficked areas facing the sidewalk leading to the resort, but the ones on the second floor were more easygoing. Shops have the same souvenirs that can be found in any tourist district.
However, the reason I'm writing this review is to let everyone know not to use the red ATM machine near the Banreservas bank in the mall. The Banreservas bank itself is perfectly legitimate and their staff was friendly and professional. The ATM next to it is a total fake, though. I was lucky to get my card back but the machine shut off without dispensing any cash. Your bank should refund you if this occurs, but this is obviously a pretty big inconvenience.
See the photos on this review. Stay away!
However, the reason I'm writing this review is to let everyone know not to use the red ATM machine near the Banreservas bank in the mall. The Banreservas bank itself is perfectly legitimate and their staff was friendly and professional. The ATM next to it is a total fake, though. I was lucky to get my card back but the machine shut off without dispensing any cash. Your bank should refund you if this occurs, but this is obviously a pretty big inconvenience.
See the photos on this review. Stay away!
Written 20 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
WinnipegDude
Winnipeg, Canada36 contributions
Dec 2019
Lots of souvenir and liquor stores so if that's what you're looking for, then this is the place for you. Better prices for souvenirs than the tourist trap places you find elsewhere in Puerto Plata (e.g. Mount Isabel de Torres via the cable car). But lots of empty storefronts gives the feel that this is a dying mall.
But avoid the pharmacy if you can help it! We needed some band-aids and some OTC drugs and thought they would be a cheaper option than the always overpriced resort gift shop. Wrong! This place charges even more so don't come here! Your local shop will be no bargain but don't come here thinking you'll do better.
But avoid the pharmacy if you can help it! We needed some band-aids and some OTC drugs and thought they would be a cheaper option than the always overpriced resort gift shop. Wrong! This place charges even more so don't come here! Your local shop will be no bargain but don't come here thinking you'll do better.
Written 24 December 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Margarita
Toronto, Canada740 contributions
Dec 2019
We were wondering what presents to buy from the Dominican Republic when visited the mall. On the second floor we visited the Inlan Shop for paintings where Henry offered us good prices, so, we bought paintings for presents there.
On the first floor we found a market where the vanilla was nicely packed and the price was good, so we bought bottles of vanilla for presents.
The alcohol was expensive.
On the first floor we found a market where the vanilla was nicely packed and the price was good, so we bought bottles of vanilla for presents.
The alcohol was expensive.
Written 26 December 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RydenDirty
New Jersey133 contributions
Feb 2018 • Couples
Overall, the mall had a lot of stores to buy souvenirs, food, drinks, etc. The shops were generally priced well. However,I would recommend shopping around before you buy something because although a lot of the stores carry the same items but some are priced much better than others.
Written 24 February 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
rmbc
Edmonton6 contributions
Dec 2016 • Family
We have been to this resort area 12 times and the mall changes every year. There used to be more there, however still a few good stores to shop in. They really need some entertainment in the open areas and a few people running the stores who know what they are doing. Most are too aggressive so you have to learn to say no a lot. However there are a few good stores to buy thing in. The exchange booth in front of the mall in the parking lot is legit and offers the best rate. My advise is to always convert your Money to pesos. They always try to make a little on the conversion in the stores or bars so best to pay in local currency. A very safe area to shop and walk around in. Rick
Written 3 September 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi is there any place which sells sanitary napkins/tampons / women hygiene products?
Written 4 August 2023
Is there a grocery store at this mall that sells bread, fruit, etc?
Written 7 March 2019
Hi we were there last year in March .I don't remember if those items wrte in the store. Itisanall in lusive resort so houcould inquire attje front desk...a wonderful staff there.
Written 8 March 2019
Anyone recently there that can advise me of the exchange rate being offered in the Dominican either c$ to DOP or US $ to DOP?
Thank you
Written 8 January 2019
Hi we were able to buy and bargain even in the mall with US dollars. For Canadian we were getting around 1 to 30.
US about 1 to 44. Rates never in our favor or exactly what banks post due to fees.
The thing is, we dont want to pay multiple exchange rates, as with fees you are on the losing end every time.
We looked at each item and decided was it worth the value and US was easily workable.
I also purchased several items from beach vendors, as annoying as they are, they work really hard in the hot sun for a few bucks. I was able to use US for that as well. Even beach vendors could give change in US.
We tipped at our resort in US singles as Canadian coins dont work we dont have a 1 and they cant change coins back at banks they are asking tourists to change them. If someone gives them a 5 they hold onto it until they have a collection before taking it to the bank.
If needing duty free, the airport had the best prices you can get a 2 pack of the oldest dark dominican rum for 10US, and they take credit card.
Golf they take credit card as do most excursions. We jad a really easy time doing everything in US we never touched a Dominican peso all week. Ask your bank for smaller notes lots of them along with 20's
Written 8 January 2019
I did not use the bank machine while there.
Written 8 March 2018
Are there any fast food restaurants around here like a subway etc? Within walking distance?
Written 1 October 2017
Nothing like the traditional fast food but if you go in town there is a Burger King
Written 3 October 2017
is there a shop selling water cameras and also deodorant. ?
thanks
Written 21 June 2017
Deodorant, yes, there is a pharmacy. Under water camera , not sure, sorry.
Written 21 June 2017
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