A First-Timer’s Guide to Grocery Shopping in Bavaro
If you’re staying off-resort in Las Corales, El Cortecito, or other areas of Bavaro, one of your first questions is probably: where do I buy groceries without making the long trip to downtown Punta Cana? Good news—there’s a local supermercado right in the heart of Bavaro, and once you know what to expect, shopping there is actually pretty easy.
First Things First: How Do You Pronounce It?
The store is called Ciccolella (chee-koh-LEH-yah), and trust us—you’re not alone if you’ve been saying it wrong. We’ve heard everything from “Sicola” to “Chickalanie” to “Citronella.” It took a few weeks to get it right, and we’ve met long-time residents who still call it “Chicorella.” Now you can walk in like a pro.
Where Is Ciccolella Located?
Ciccolella sits right at the corner of the two main streets in the Bavaro area: Avenida Alemania and Calle Los Olas. It’s centrally located and easy to find if you’re staying anywhere in the beach zone.
What to Expect When You Shop
Ciccolella recently expanded their front entrance, giving you more room to navigate—but let’s set some realistic expectations about grocery shopping in Punta Cana.
The aisles are narrow. Really narrow. If someone else is in the aisle, you’ll need to park your cart and grab your item on foot. It’s just how it works here.
Imported products cost more. When you spot familiar brands like Oreos, Campbell’s soup, or Jif peanut butter, expect to pay two to three times what you would back home. The good news? Dominican brands are excellent—give them a try!
Stock is unpredictable. What you bought yesterday might not be there today. Tourist traffic keeps inventory turning over quickly, and restocking happens constantly. Be flexible with your shopping list.
Fresh produce is different. Fruit here is often picked ripe and meant to be eaten soon—not the pre-ripened, week-long shelf life produce you might expect from North American grocery stores. Plan to shop more frequently for fresh items.
Lines can be long. Especially on high-traffic travel days when tourists are arriving or departing, the store gets packed. Checkout takes longer than you’re used to—just embrace it.
Pro Tips for Shopping at Ciccolella
The staff at Ciccolella are incredibly friendly and helpful—don’t hesitate to ask for assistance. If you arrive when a delivery truck has just come in, you’ll find employees stocking shelves and product stacked in the aisles. On those days, grab what you absolutely need and come back when it’s calmer.
Most importantly: be patient, stay flexible, and be willing to go home with different products than you planned. That’s just part of the Punta Cana lifestyle—and honestly, it’s part of the adventure.
Ciccolella isn’t a giant supermarket, but for everyday essentials in Bavaro, it gets the job done. Once you adjust your expectations and embrace the local pace, you’ll find it’s a convenient option that saves you the trip to the bigger stores downtown.
Want more insider tips on living and vacationing in Punta Cana? Check out our other helpful videos on YouTube , and get exclusive VIP discounts here.
