Mercado Modelo
Mercado Modelo
3.5
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday
7:00 AM - 1:00 PM
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
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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3.5
179 reviews
Excellent
50
Very good
60
Average
46
Poor
12
Terrible
11
Kenneth Bo Jørgensen
Copenhagen, Denmark12 contributions
Dec 2022
The Mercado itself is just an oversized souvenir-job but the markets around it are very colorful and worth having a stroll in. But I wonder how people find it. I found it by accident - a lucky one. If you are on El Conde, take a left at Santolome, and you will find it sooner or later.
Written December 21, 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.
RYJ1
Bountiful, UT283 contributions
Feb 2014 • Couples
We were in Santo Domingo for a cruise and had read about El Mercado Modelo in our guidebook. We asked at our hotel - the Boutique Hotel Palacio - if it was safe to walk to the market and they said it was safe. We were given a map and headed out on the main drag of Calle El Conde in the Colonial Zone where there are lots of street vendors. We were approached by a man who wanted us to shop in his "family's stores" and we actually did. We purchased a baseball cap and a piece of Larimar jewelry both at fair prices. They were items we were looking for anyhow. Know what you want to spend before you start negotiating. I have looked at Larimar all over the Caribbean and expected prices to be lower in the Dominican Republic since it is mined there and it was. The man then wanted us to hire him as a guide. We told him we were fine on our own. When we told him we were going to El Mercado Modelo he told us it wasn't safe and we needed, in his words, "a body guard." We've traveled all over the world and we are familiar with such tactics. We declined his offer to guide us and went on our way. We encountered no problems. I am always careful when I travel anyhow and this was no exception -- no jewelry, extra money and credit card in a hide-away pouch attached to my belt and put inside my pants, small amount of money and one credit card in a very small, slash proof camera case that I wear across my body and a decoy wallet just in case. With these precautions I felt fine about the area we were in. Other's have mentioned the good and not so good parts about Mercado Modelo so I won't repeat in detail what has already been said. There's lots to see and you will be hounded. Just be prepared for it and if you're not interested say, "No gracias" and move on. I didn't see very many original hand made crafts which I was hoping for. I had better luck with original hand made crafts at Columbus Square. I did purchase two clay nativity sets for $15 each which I thought was a good deal. I also purchased a Larimar bracelet for $30. What I found to be the most interesting part of Mercado Modelo was the street just past the market. I'm not sure of my directions, but, if you are coming from Calle El Conde walk clear through the market to the other side and you come out on a great street with vendors selling to the locals: fruits; veggies; pots and pans; flowers; spices; dried salted fish; cactus and so much more. There was also a huge souvenir shop outlet on that street where we bought a set of salt and pepper shakers.
Written March 18, 2014
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.
NM2181
San Antonio, TX51 contributions
Dec 2011 • Couples
Apparently we went when there was no one else in the whole center. It might have been a more pleasant experience if we had seen anything else than dozens of vendors trying to pull us to their shop. We were hassled so badly I would never recommend this to anyone. I was so sad because I really wanted to shop here, but was just overwhelmed by the sellers.
Written January 7, 2012
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.
ViajeroIndiana
South Bend, IN378 contributions
Jul 2011
Unfortunately many tourists to the DR go straight to the beach and skip a visit to one of the Caribbean’s most beautiful and historic cities. It is equally unfortunate that many people who spend a few days (you need at least a couple to see the sights), skip one of its greatest attractions, El Mercado Modelo. From what I can gather, this is in large part due to reports of pickpockets and purse snatchers, and a few other isolated crimes of that ilk. Though I certainly believe that such things happen there on occasion, I have gone three times with my wife and small children, and have considered it a highlight of my vacation every time. I would suggest that those who visit do so without bringing huge cameras, expensive jewelry, flashy bags, etc. Common sense advise, of course. And also, please be polite to the sellers. This is how they ear a living and the competition is very stiff.
I have also heard many people complain about the sellers who can be a bit pushy, but this is all part of the experience, and if you are friendly and take a minute to browse what they have to offer, they will also be very kind to you. I absolutely love this place and have bought many very nice pieces of art here. It does help if you go with a discriminating eye, and if you know what you are looking for. Mixed in among the thousands of cheesy paintings are some really nice collectibles by artists whose paintings fetch high prices in places like San Juan, PR. If you speak Spanish you will have an easier time, but most sellers know some English.
My kids (ages 5 and 8) also love this place. When we arrived to Sto. Domingo this time, it was the first place they wanted to go. We spent the better part of an afternoon there. We walked there from the Hotel Palacio and felt quite comfortable. One can also go there in taxi, but it is only about a 10-minute walk from the colonial center.
Use common sense and you will have a safe and enjoyable visit to this excellent market.
I have also heard many people complain about the sellers who can be a bit pushy, but this is all part of the experience, and if you are friendly and take a minute to browse what they have to offer, they will also be very kind to you. I absolutely love this place and have bought many very nice pieces of art here. It does help if you go with a discriminating eye, and if you know what you are looking for. Mixed in among the thousands of cheesy paintings are some really nice collectibles by artists whose paintings fetch high prices in places like San Juan, PR. If you speak Spanish you will have an easier time, but most sellers know some English.
My kids (ages 5 and 8) also love this place. When we arrived to Sto. Domingo this time, it was the first place they wanted to go. We spent the better part of an afternoon there. We walked there from the Hotel Palacio and felt quite comfortable. One can also go there in taxi, but it is only about a 10-minute walk from the colonial center.
Use common sense and you will have a safe and enjoyable visit to this excellent market.
Written July 28, 2011
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.
Yoli C
30 contributions
The prices are great, you can get good deals if you negotiate, otherwise, you'll be paying three or four times the actual amount. There's variety in national products like cigars, alcohol, fabric, Amber and Larimar. There's only one thing.. the assistants really harass you, they will ask and follow you everywhere for you to buy something. They can be really insistent, but actually, this happens in the whole Zona Colonial.
Written February 20, 2015
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.
jkaposta
Cleveland, OH20 contributions
Dec 2013 • Couples
Since others have addressed the indoor part, I'll address the outdoor area. What we found truly memorable were the surrounding streets (outdoor vendors) where you saw real life. Raw, hard, struggling folks selling absolutely every and anything: to name a few.....sugar cane, cinnamon bark, baskets, fixing tires, coffee, flowers. We had our taxi driver (a native Dominican) accompany us as we explored the streets and took pictures. You'll find families and people in general here. A true window to the Dominican Republic. Well worth a long look.
Written December 27, 2013
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.
L M
Brussels, Belgium3 contributions
May 2012 • Friends
We were misled by our guidebook into believing it's a fun kind of hectic atmosphere but it's just a plain tourist trap. Unless you want to buy typical souvenirs, don't go there. You are being addressed every 10 seconds: "where you from, good price for you, domincan price, not tourist price, special for you" etcetera.
Our taxi driver called all his friends/merchants together as if we were the next prey!
Our taxi driver called all his friends/merchants together as if we were the next prey!
Written May 25, 2012
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.
Ann W
South Saint Paul, MN50 contributions
Feb 2012 • Couples
We were less interested in the tourist trinkets than in a true fruit-and-veggie market experience and were able to find that by heading back into the depths of the market. It culminated in a delicious meal of rice and beans (for about a dollar) at a stall where I doubt any other tourists have eaten! Lovely....
Written March 11, 2012
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.
Melissa N
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic29 contributions
Apr 2014 • Solo
The Mercado Modelo is an excellent place to buy souvenirs, you can find a huge variety of things. The prices are really good, you just need to bargain a little. Many shoppes have their own craft makers, so you can order some things to be made as you like. The Market is not pretty, its a market. But you will find the gift you need to bring back to your home. It is safe around the zone, you can also walk to the shopping areas The Conde Street and Duarte Avenue; and also to the Zona Colonial.
Written May 13, 2014
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.
Mountainannie
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic7 contributions
Mar 2012
a must see and THE place to buy your souvenirs.. spend the day here .. then walk to the ZONA or Chinatown to eat
Written April 17, 2012
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.
alguien me puede decir si esta abierto o por el Covid se encuentra cerrado? gracias
Written December 13, 2020
Is this market safe for a single female to go too
Written June 16, 2019
Thank u Olga I travel alot and in most of not all places I don't flash cash or wear a lot of jewelry do they take US $ at market
Written June 17, 2019
El mercado abre a las 8:00 y vieras a las 5:00. Pero hay tiendas en él exterior que cierran a las 7:00 pm.
Written May 23, 2019
Hola ami me gustaria saber si alli se podria comprar capsulas de pollen de abeja y tambien la miel.
Y cuanto costara. Gracias eso es todo.
Written November 13, 2018
Por lo menos te puedo confirmar que venden miel, el polen no sé decirte
Written May 24, 2019
Hola.Alguien conoce a un señor llamado plinio? el tenia un puesto al lado del mercado.y ahora el vende en un triciclo.
Written July 18, 2018
Ik wilde een beoordeling schrijven over het museum Museo Mundo de Ambar / Ambar World Museum, dat ik ook bezocht. Is dit mogelijk?
Written February 2, 2018
Museo Mundo de Ámbar
Tijdens mijn bezoek aan de Mercado Modelo, werd mij aangeraden om het museum: Museo Mundo de Ambar te bezoeken. Entree 50 Dominicaanse pesos per persoon. In dit museum krijg je een rondleiding van een gids, die je alles tot in details uitlegt van hoe de Dominicaanse edelsteen Ambar ontstaan is en waar het ontgonnen wordt. Je wordt er ook op gewezen, waar je op moet letten als je deze edelsteen koopt. Tegenwoordig tref je overal veel nepambar aan. Ook het edelmetaal Larimar komt uitgebreid aan bod. Alvorens Ambar en Larimar aan te schaffen, is het raadzaam informaties over deze produkten in te winnen.
Maynard Da Costa Gomez
Written February 2, 2018
Buenas Tardes, quisiera saber donde puedo conseguir sitios donde vendan discos de vinilo o acetato en Santo Domingo, Puerto Plata o en alguna ciudad de República Dominicana.
Written November 2, 2017
est-ce à cet endroit que l'on trouve "La place des cacaos de Saint-Domingue sur le marché", avez vous trouvé des cabosses de cacao ou des feves locales ? merci
a quel prix
Written August 26, 2017
Bonjour
C'est plutôt un marché d'artisanat ( peintures haïtiennes - souvenirs- liqueur locale .... ) mais on n'a peut être pas tout vu .
Pour le cacao , il y a un commerce spécialisé notamment dans l'artère commerçante de la ville coloniale ( Calle el conde ) qui vend des fèves locales et autres produits liés au cacao
Written August 27, 2017
Conseguir una persona su nombre es Plinio y tiene dos hijos que también trabajan o trabajaban con el en el mercado..el mi padre por favor si alguien sabe algo.me pueden ayudar
Written January 28, 2016
We are looking for bargains on gold, jewelry, stones, etc.
Written August 3, 2017
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