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For many years, the Caribbean was considered a shopping mecca and a hotspot for bargains on imported luxury goods. While this may still be true to some extent, new international alliances and trade agreements have slowly changed the face of commerce in the region. What's more, travelers in the know are taking a close look at the goods being produced by local artisans often with native materials. Caribbean craftspeople bring to their work a rich and colorful blend of the Native American, African and European influences that make up their culture. Tropical flowers may be made into perfumes, for example, while tree bark, palm fronds, grass and straw are turned into fashionable handbags, hats, and sandals. Locally grown produce and spices yield a delightful array of jams and jellies, soaps, jerk seasonings, cosmetics and hot sauces. Jewelry is handcrafted from natural amber, shells and bits of broken sea glass. Shopping for items like hand-hewn pottery, island coffee, rum, and cigars, is sure to engender a deeper appreciation of West Indian culture. Throughout the Caribbean, shopping locales range from ultra-modern, air-conditioned malls to independent vendors who set up shop in the rural byways; you'll have your pick of chain stores and open-air markets. In Cancún, Mexico, for instance, you'll find well-known stores at large shopping malls as well as authentic Mexican wares in smaller stores downtown. In some places, like Aruba, you won't have to pay sales tax on your purchases. But these standards will vary greatly in the Caribbean; island sales clerks may not know all the rules about duty limits and taxes. Find out before leaving home what you'll be allowed to bring back, and at what cost. Also investigate what products are considered contraband. For example, items made from feathers of endangered birds or products derived from sea turtles are illegal. Laws will vary from port to port, so do your research before shopping to avoid losing your purchase, incurring a fine, or being detained. Shopping by Island
| Island |
Shopping Information |
| Antigua |
The main shopping district is in St. John's. You'll find British
woolens, duty-free linens, an assortment of luxury goods, and locally
made rum, dolls, pottery, and shell crafts. Don't miss the farmer's
market. |
| Barbados |
The primary shopping area is in Bridgetown on Broad Street. If you have
a passport or some other form of ID and a departure airline ticket, you
can make your purchases duty-free. Here you'll imported English bone
china as well as watches, perfume, antiques and many other luxury items. |
| Dominican Republic |
Here you'll find the best in designer fashions by native son Oscar de
La Renta. Amber and larimar--a pale-blue, semi-precious gemstone--are
mined here and made into jewelry. Traveler's tip: Amber and larimar
jewelry should probably be obtained from established dealers--orange
plastic and bits of blue glass have occasionally been passed off as the
real things. Dominicans also make rocking chairs, already boxed and
ready for you to assemble when you get home, and hand-rolled Fuente
cigars. You'll also find lovely embroidered items, mahogany and cedar
wood carvings, dolls, rum, and coffee here. |
| Jamaica |
You may find it hard to leave this island without the homemade and
enticing, chocolate-flavored liqueur called Tia Maria and the sizzling
Pickapeppa Hot Sauce. In addition to shopping for bargains on cameras,
watches and electronics, you'll also find flavored rums, sculptures,
woven baskets and mats, jerk seasoning, sandals and world-class coffee.
As an added bonus, you just may stumble across a collectible that
happens to be increasing in value; artworks coming out of Jamaica are
becoming hot commodities in the art world. |
| Puerto Rico |
Regular visitors say the best shopping district here is in Old San
Juan, where there is no duty for citizens of the United States. The
typical assortment of china, crystal, cameras, watches, jewelry, and
electronics is always on hand. Don't miss the "santos," carved and
painted wooden figurines of the patron saints. Other local handmade
specialties include "cuatros," ten-string guitars, and carnival masks
made from papier-mâché. This area is also known for high quality rum,
coffee, cigars and handwoven mundillo lace. |
| Bahamas |
On these popular islands, the International Bazaar in Freeport and the
Port Lucaya Marketplace are two of the best-known places to find a
whole host of luxury goods imported from around the world. There are
many tax-exempt items. The Straw Market on Bay Street in Nassau is
another legendary Caribbean spot where you'll find t-shirts, batik
wear, antique maps and, of course, a plethora of handmade straw goods. |
| St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands |
In downtown Charlotte Amalie, the capital city, there is an area of
warehouses built in the 1700's, which now includes more than 400 shops
in the converted spaces. Take note: The warehouse district is extremely
busy when a cruise ship is in port. Duty-free goods are a-plenty here,
and just as in many other Caribbean shopping destinations, you can find
great deals here on cameras, watches, china, crystal, gems, jewelry,
designer clothing, electronics, liquor, linens, rum, and perfume. Also
be on the lookout for native specialties like straw brooms, dolls,
calabash bowls, baskets and shell jewelry. |
Traveler's tip: In most of the established shops of the Caribbean, bargaining is not welcome, and may even be considered insulting. You might cautiously give it a shot at open-air markets or with street vendors. However, profits from selling homegrown or handmade items are likely to be the local person's only income, so prices aren't usually set artificially high.
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