Tropical Fruits & Markets
The Dominican Republic is a tropical fruit paradise — much of which you never get fresh in Germany. Take the opportunity to try everything you find at the markets:
- Chinola (Passionfruit): The queen of Dominican fruits. Sour-sweet, unbeatable as juice or Batida
- Mango: In season (May–July), there are dozens of varieties — the sweet, fiber-free mangos from Baní are the best in the Caribbean
- Lechoza (Papaya): Ripe and soft, for breakfast or as Batida. The Dominican Lechoza is smaller and more aromatic than supermarket papayas in Europe
- Guanábana (Soursop): White, creamy flesh with a taste between strawberry and coconut. Fantastic as juice or ice cream
- Mamey Sapote: Orange-colored, creamy-sweet flesh, reminiscent of a mix between sweet potato and pumpkin. A dream as Batida
- Zapote: Brown fruit with reddish-brown, grainy flesh — sweet and nutty
- Limoncillo (Mamoncillo): Grape-like green fruits that you suck on — sweet-sour, the most popular street fruit among children
- Coco (Coconut): Freshly cracked open at the street stand, the coconut water drunk, then the flesh scooped out. 50–100 DOP
- Jagua: Used to make a natural, temporary tattoo — the fruit leaves a blue-black color on the skin
The best markets for tropical fruits: Mercado Modelo in Santo Domingo, Mercado Municipal in La Romana, and the street markets in Santiago. Prices are negotiable, but generally fruits are dirt cheap: a kilo of mangos for 50–100 DOP (about 1 USD).