Concerts and other cultural events are often held at the Casa de Francia and Plaza de la Cultura in Santo Domingo, among other venues. These are a national speciality, some pieces encasing insects, leaves or dew drops within ancient petrified pine resin. Larimar or Dominican turquoise is another popular stone. Milky blue and polished pink pieces of conch shell are also made into jewellery. Rocking chairs, wood carvings, macram , pottery, Taino artefacts, Creole dolls, baskets, limestone carvings and cassettes of salsa and merengue also make good buys.
Bargaining is recommended.
As in many Latin American countries, Carnival is a traditional event. Merengue is the national music and the Merengue Festival draws large numbers of nationals as well as international musicians and spectators. Feb 2001 Sosua and Cabarete Gastronomic Festival. Feb Carnival, Santo Domingo and other parts of the country . Mar 7-17 Santo Domingo Music Festival.