The Caribbean breeze carries you along the pristine shores of Dominicus, where turquoise waters kiss white sand in an endless dance. As you wander through this still-undiscovered paradise, a carefully curated storefront catches your eye—not another cluttered souvenir shop, but a gallery of dreams. Handcrafted jewelry gleams under soft lighting, artisanal coconut oil bottles stand like amber treasures, and vibrant colors invite you closer. Inside, a warm voice greets you: “How are you? How is your vacation going?” Meet Marcos Bertrán, the heart and soul behind Esencia Dominicana.
Welcome to another chapter of “Faces of Dominicus,” our series celebrating the remarkable people who transform this beach community into something extraordinary. Today’s story isn’t just about souvenirs—it’s about a man who returned home after years abroad to bottle the very essence of his beloved Dominican Republic, offering visitors not just products, but pieces of a culture, a history, and a passion that runs deep.
Meet Marcos Bertrán: A Journey Home
Born and raised in La Romana, Marcos’s connection to Dominicus spans three decades—a love affair with a place he calls one of the most unique beaches in the country. His journey began in the late 1990s at the Viva Wyndham Dominicus hotel, followed by years at the legendary Cabana Elke (now a cherished memory for long-time visitors). But Marcos was never content to remain an employee; his entrepreneurial spirit pushed him to carve his own path. He opened restaurants, launched a car rental business, ran a minimarket—each venture deepening his understanding of what visitors craved and locals needed.
Then came the call of distant shores. For eight years, Marcos lived in Italy, immersing himself in European culture while his heart remained anchored to the Dominican coast. When he returned in 2025, he came back with a vision crystallized by distance and longing: to create a business that would capture everything he missed, everything that made his homeland special.
“We want to convey all the warmth and affection of the Dominican Republic to our people,” Marcos explains, his eyes lighting up as he describes Esencia Dominicana’s birth.
The journey started small—handmade sachets filled with cinnamon, sugar, cocoa, and coffee that Marcos created himself. But dreams have a way of growing when tended with passion. By August 1st, 2025, Esencia Dominicana opened its doors in Dominicus, marking not just a new chapter for Marcos, but a gift to every visitor seeking authentic Dominican treasures.
Inside Esencia Dominicana: A Feast for the Eyes
Step inside, and you’ll immediately understand why customers in French, Italian, Spanish, and English tell Marcos the same thing: this is one of the prettiest stores in the area. Forget everything you know about typical gift shops with products haphazardly piled and stacked. Esencia Dominicana is different by design.
“Here we try to feed your eyes, to make your eyes and your mind dream,” Marcos says with pride. “We want you to visualize what we sell in your own home, starting from this business.”
The store is a testament to curation and care. Every item has been personally selected by Marcos and his wife during trips to warehouses across the country. They don’t buy blindly—they choose with intention, asking themselves: “Will tourists love this? Does this represent who we are?”
The Crown Jewel: Cold-Pressed Coconut Oil
If there’s one product that embodies Marcos’s commitment to quality, it’s his cold-pressed coconut oil. Unlike traditional Dominican coconut oil made on a stovetop, this oil retains all its natural properties through cold-pressing. “It’s an oil you can eat, cook with, use for your hair, your body, for cellulite, to remove makeup—for everything,” Marcos explains enthusiastically. “It hydrates the skin 100%.”
Jewelry That Tells a Story
Forget the typical Larimar and amber found in every tourist shop. Marcos wanted something unique, so he partnered with a Venezuelan designer to create exclusive gold and silver-plated pieces featuring hearts and round beads, black coral, and cultured river pearls. His wife also creates jewelry in-house, ensuring a constantly evolving collection that surprises repeat visitors.
The Esencia Dominicana Collection
The products closest to Marcos’s heart are those bearing the Esencia Dominicana name—the sachets of cocoa, coffee, sugar, ground and whole bean coffee, and cinnamon that started it all. These aren’t just souvenirs; they’re distributors to hotels and businesses, with expansion plans reaching Bávaro soon.
The shelves also showcase carefully designed coconuts, distinctive sarongs, artisanal handmade handbags that fly off the shelves, vibrant paintings, and premium liquors including coconut and passion fruit liqueurs. And then there’s the mamajuana—Dominican tradition in a bottle.
The Mamajuana Philosophy: Taking Home More Than a Souvenir
When Marcos recommends mamajuana to first-time customers, he doesn’t just make a sale—he creates a ritual. His pitch is poetry:
“Whenever you want to feel like you’re in the Dominican Republic, every time you have dinner at night, sit on your sofa, turn on the TV, take your mamajuana and have a little shot for digestion. And as that drink goes down—that mamajuana, which is rum, honey, and red wine—you will remember all the beaches you saw with your beautiful eyes here in our land in the Dominican Republic.”
This is the Esencia Dominicana difference. Marcos isn’t selling bottles; he’s selling memories, connections, and the promise that a piece of paradise can travel home with you.
Before the Sale Comes the Smile
“I don’t think about selling first,” Marcos confesses. “I’m someone who goes for impact. I believe in impact, in the first experience.”
Before asking what you’re looking for, Marcos asks how your vacation is going. Before showing you products, he wants you to feel comfortable, welcomed, seen. “Before being a salesman, before being a business owner, I like to be a person they can confide in, talk to, discuss their concerns with.”
This approach transforms transactions into connections. Visitors don’t just leave with souvenirs—they leave with stories of the passionate local who explained Dominican coffee traditions, who shared the history behind mamajuana, who made them laugh while describing the versatility of coconut oil.
The store’s cleanliness and organization reflect this same philosophy. “I love to see people smile,” Marcos says, describing the moment customers walk in and compliment the space in multiple languages. Every detail matters because every detail contributes to the feeling he wants to create: affection and love.
Dreams in Motion
When asked about obstacles, Marcos doesn’t hesitate: “None. I believe we create obstacles ourselves. There are no obstacles for someone who wants to start a business, who wants to push forward, and who wants to develop themselves.”
This mindset fuels his ambitious vision. Esencia Dominicana depends entirely on tourism—the local residents shop elsewhere, making every visitor’s decision to support his business crucial. But Marcos sees beyond today’s sales. His dream? To expand not just in Dominicus, but across tourist areas throughout the Dominican Republic. “And to do it big,” he adds with characteristic determination.
The journey from sachets to storefront to multi-location success story is still unfolding. “We have a dream for this place, which is just beginning,” Marcos says. And if his track record of restaurants, car rentals, and international adventures proves anything, it’s that Marcos Bertrán’s dreams have a habit of becoming reality.
Your Invitation to Esencia Dominicana
As a visitor to Dominicus, you have a choice. You can buy generic souvenirs from any crowded shop, or you can visit Esencia Dominicana and take home something more—authentic products selected with care, stories told with passion, and the warm hospitality that defines the Dominican spirit.
Marcos promises “100% dedication to attention, 100% professionalism, 100% sincerity,” all wrapped up with affordable prices that respect your budget. But more than that, he offers what every traveler really seeks: a genuine connection to the place they’re visiting.
So as you explore the still-undiscovered wonder that is Dominicus—with its white sand, turquoise waters, and that incredible unspoiled feeling—make time to stop by Esencia Dominicana. Let Marcos share his passion for Dominican products, explain the history behind what you’re considering, and help you find that perfect piece to take home.
After all, when you choose local businesses, you’re not just buying souvenirs. You’re supporting dreams, preserving authenticity, and ensuring that Dominicus remains a place where passionate people like Marcos can thrive.
Find Esencia Dominicana in Dominicus and discover why visitors in every language call it one of the prettiest stores in the area. Your piece of Dominican paradise awaits.
Ready to experience the essence of Dominican Republic? Here’s what you need to know:
- Location: Avenida Eladia (Peatonal), Dominicus, La Altagracia, Dominican Republic.
- Hours: Everyday from 8:30 AM to 10 PM
- Payment: Credit cards or cash
- Phone: +39-334-757-9757
- Languages: Spanish, Italian
Esencia Dominicana is part of the vibrant local business community that makes Dominicus special. By shopping local, you directly support the people who call this paradise home and help preserve the authentic character that makes your visit unforgettable.
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