Bella Mare Shopping Tour
Bella Mare Shopping Tour
Bella Mare Shopping Tour
2.5
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We offer, unique experiences that combine a cultural tour with the fun of shopping.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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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 wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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2.5
156 reviews
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279sebastient
Montigny-en-Gohelle, France379 contributions
Aug 2023 • Couples
We are treated to a 5-minute presentation on the cigar factory and then we observe a man rolling them by hand.
This is the first part of this tour which precedes the 30 to 60 minutes of shopping where we find alcohol, coffee, chocolate, Larimar jewelry and others, clothes, hygiene products and beauty and, finally, tourist trinkets of probably Asian origin. All at higher prices than in other commercial outlets: you have to pay for free transport from hotels and the various commissions paid to guides.
Finally, this allows you to get an idea of the price that should not be exceeded during this “free” getaway.
This is the first part of this tour which precedes the 30 to 60 minutes of shopping where we find alcohol, coffee, chocolate, Larimar jewelry and others, clothes, hygiene products and beauty and, finally, tourist trinkets of probably Asian origin. All at higher prices than in other commercial outlets: you have to pay for free transport from hotels and the various commissions paid to guides.
Finally, this allows you to get an idea of the price that should not be exceeded during this “free” getaway.

Written August 18, 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.
RCDS_Family
South Frontenac, Canada396 contributions
Nov 2021
We were given a free shopping tour by our local Air Canada Vacations representative.
Pick up at the resort was prompt. It was an air conditioned 12 seater van. We were with one other couple from a nearby resort.
We were brought to the store and was greeted by our store handler (guide). He offered a tour of cigar making. Since no one smoked, we by passed the cigar section and was let loose in the store. Upon check out, we were to ask for him, and he would call the free transportation back to the resort.
For the most part we were left alone by staff while shopping. They were around if needed. The staff in the coffee and chocolate sections were a little more forward and pushing sales. I believe these two sections were stores within the store and you had to pay in those sections for anything you purchased in those sections.
The store had branded sections for local Dominican chocolate, coffee, alcohol, beauty products, larimar, paintings, and pottery crafts. There were also sections for general souvenirs, and clothing.
Overall we found the prices to be in line with resort gift shop pricing. The alcohol and some crafts were slightly cheaper. We actually found a couple of nice pieces of pottery and pricing was good. Some prices along with most of the souvenirs were way off.
After checking out it took close to 30 minutes to get a shuttle to take us back. It seems like they were all out on pick-ups/drop offs. Staff had seats for us, and called us when the shuttle was ready.
Overall we found it to be a good diversion from the resort. Most of what you buy has tax, so keep that in mind. Also factor in a tip for the shuttle driver both ways.
Pick up at the resort was prompt. It was an air conditioned 12 seater van. We were with one other couple from a nearby resort.
We were brought to the store and was greeted by our store handler (guide). He offered a tour of cigar making. Since no one smoked, we by passed the cigar section and was let loose in the store. Upon check out, we were to ask for him, and he would call the free transportation back to the resort.
For the most part we were left alone by staff while shopping. They were around if needed. The staff in the coffee and chocolate sections were a little more forward and pushing sales. I believe these two sections were stores within the store and you had to pay in those sections for anything you purchased in those sections.
The store had branded sections for local Dominican chocolate, coffee, alcohol, beauty products, larimar, paintings, and pottery crafts. There were also sections for general souvenirs, and clothing.
Overall we found the prices to be in line with resort gift shop pricing. The alcohol and some crafts were slightly cheaper. We actually found a couple of nice pieces of pottery and pricing was good. Some prices along with most of the souvenirs were way off.
After checking out it took close to 30 minutes to get a shuttle to take us back. It seems like they were all out on pick-ups/drop offs. Staff had seats for us, and called us when the shuttle was ready.
Overall we found it to be a good diversion from the resort. Most of what you buy has tax, so keep that in mind. Also factor in a tip for the shuttle driver both ways.
Written November 25, 2021
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.
shelagh13
Nova Scotia60 contributions
Apr 2022 • Friends
‘Agree with those who advise the excursion is not worth it. While it was mildly interesting to see the chocolate operation (not really a factory) and the cigar rolling, the merchandise in general
In most of the store was very similar to what is seen in all the touristy places. The biggest negative about the experience was that the “free transportation” did not pick our group up for the return to our hotels until we’ll over an hour after everyone had finished shopping. It was frustrating and felt like an afternoon wasted.
In most of the store was very similar to what is seen in all the touristy places. The biggest negative about the experience was that the “free transportation” did not pick our group up for the return to our hotels until we’ll over an hour after everyone had finished shopping. It was frustrating and felt like an afternoon wasted.
Written April 26, 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.
Fruitninja2339
Toronto, Canada44 contributions
Jan 2025 • Family
It is a scam. Don’t waste your time!
We were told it was a museum and could learn how the cocoa grows and make chocolate by ourselves. So we decided to go. A van came to pick us up at the resort we stayed and dropped us off at the shabby Bella Mare Museum and Store. Don’t be fooled by the “Museum” in its name. It is nothing like a museum. It is a souvenir store selling cheap low quality stuffs with high price tags. The staff said we had to spend at least 1 hour in the store. And when we finish we have to wait one hour for the driver to take us back to the resort. I guess it was because we didn’t spend any money in the store so the guy just wanted to give us some hard time. I saw some other customers bought something and they could leave right away. We ended up getting a uber to leave. What a shame that this type of store leaves bad impression to the visitors! Don’t waste your time and money!
We were told it was a museum and could learn how the cocoa grows and make chocolate by ourselves. So we decided to go. A van came to pick us up at the resort we stayed and dropped us off at the shabby Bella Mare Museum and Store. Don’t be fooled by the “Museum” in its name. It is nothing like a museum. It is a souvenir store selling cheap low quality stuffs with high price tags. The staff said we had to spend at least 1 hour in the store. And when we finish we have to wait one hour for the driver to take us back to the resort. I guess it was because we didn’t spend any money in the store so the guy just wanted to give us some hard time. I saw some other customers bought something and they could leave right away. We ended up getting a uber to leave. What a shame that this type of store leaves bad impression to the visitors! Don’t waste your time and money!
Written January 14, 2025
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.
NotaNewf
1 contribution
Nov 2023 • Couples
We were told by our tour guide that we had a complimentary shopping trip. Pickup was smooth but immediately in turning into the parking lot I knew something was wrong. The building was unmarked and in poor condition. Walking inside we were asked to go see the cigar “maker” after multiple times telling them we did not smoke. The workers were very pushy and when you looked up the items online they are a lot cheaper. Everything is tagged in USD and you pay in USD but your receipt is in Dominican Peso. When I converted it they actually took an extra $4 USD. This place is a tourist trap, plain and simple.
Written November 5, 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.
Kelly G
Regina, Canada24 contributions
Mar 2024 • Couples
We signed up for this tour from our Sunwing rep who explained it would be a nice, shopping trip to an air conditioned mall and showed us pictures of what it looked like. We were waiting in our hotel lobby for a 12:20 pickup and at that time a guy came over and said "Shopping?". We said yes. "2 people?" We said yes, and asked him if he was from Sunwing. He said yes. We got in the van thinking this was what we were looking for, but he took us to a small strip mall type place (see white van on left hand side of photo). If this is where you are taken it is the wrong place! The scammers simply take you to the store of their buddies and hope you'll buy something there. We got out of the van and realized right away what was happening. We got back in the van and the driver said he'd take us to the mall, but I meanwhile googled the directions to the Belle Mare mall and he had turned left instead of right on the main drag, which would have taken us to the Belle Mare mall. I knew he was going the wrong way. He took us to another "mall", which was obviously not the mall we wanted either and we demanded he take us back to our hotel immediately. When we got back we spoke to the Sunwing rep who was happy to hear what had happened because he said they were getting alot of no-show's lately and couldnt' figure out why....well it's because scammers were picking up the passengers instead of the actual shuttle that had been booked. So be careful! If the driver doesn't know your name or room number, don't get in!
Meanwhile, we never actually made it to the Belle Mare mall, which looked nice.
Meanwhile, we never actually made it to the Belle Mare mall, which looked nice.
Written March 28, 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.
Vsshah1995
11 contributions
Oct 2022 • Couples
We were taken there for shopping from the hotel, being told they are doing us a favour by providing a shuttle to local shops, but in fact the prices were a rip of $ 7 for a chocolate and $ for coffee, $15 for jam.
What a wastage of time and then loaded into the car with a lot people after waiting a while to get back.
Rum whose name even not even heard of, by being told only they sell this local rum.
Lastly having a container for tip for everything.
Please avoid this place .
What a wastage of time and then loaded into the car with a lot people after waiting a while to get back.
Rum whose name even not even heard of, by being told only they sell this local rum.
Lastly having a container for tip for everything.
Please avoid this place .
Written October 14, 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.
Nathan H
3 contributions
Jan 2023 • Couples
We set up the trip through the concierge at our hotel, it is free and runs twice per day around 9 am and 2 pm depending on which resort you are staying at.
The shopping trip starts with a very brief informational session on how cigars are made and then we were each give a small cigar to smoke that was freshly rolled by their expert cigar maker. They had jewelry, coffee, chocolate, rum and of course cigars for sale. Pretty good prices and you could sample everything which was a huge plus. I am not usually one for shopping, but the folks there weren’t pushy and the prices really were quite reasonable compared to everything else we had seen.
Definitely recommend if you are looking for souvenirs or gifts to take back home, 5/5.
The shopping trip starts with a very brief informational session on how cigars are made and then we were each give a small cigar to smoke that was freshly rolled by their expert cigar maker. They had jewelry, coffee, chocolate, rum and of course cigars for sale. Pretty good prices and you could sample everything which was a huge plus. I am not usually one for shopping, but the folks there weren’t pushy and the prices really were quite reasonable compared to everything else we had seen.
Definitely recommend if you are looking for souvenirs or gifts to take back home, 5/5.
Written January 21, 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.
Brian M
1 contribution
Nov 2024 • Solo
An over priced souvenir shop that holds you captive. It’s a free ride from the hotel and they take you to a small store. I walked through it in 5 minutes and I’ve been waiting for over an hour to get back to my hotel. The prices are outrageous!
Lots of people are sitting on a bench waiting to go back to their hotels and everyone are talking about how bad it is.
Lots of people are sitting on a bench waiting to go back to their hotels and everyone are talking about how bad it is.
Written November 27, 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.
Jason S
2 contributions
Oct 2023 • Couples
Took a quick trip here from our resort. The staff was very helpful. They have someone rolling cigars directly in front of you which is awesome.
The pricing of the souvenirs was expensive. Higher than even your resort gift shop.
This is a skip in my opinion. Unless you are looking for something free to get your out of your resort.
The pricing of the souvenirs was expensive. Higher than even your resort gift shop.
This is a skip in my opinion. Unless you are looking for something free to get your out of your resort.
Written October 19, 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.
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