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Shopping in the Caribbean

Shopping in the Caribbean can certainly be fun and rewarding. Chatting with shop owners is always a great way to learn more about the place you're visiting while you're surveying the great variety of things to buy. Here's a summary of the best finds in the islands.

  • Markets - Support the local economy directly by shopping at the markets for art, jewellery and carvings by local artists as well as clothes, rum cakes, food and souvenirs.
  • Duty Free - St. Thomas has long had the reputation of the best island for duty free shopping for designer and luxury goods especially jewellery. The list of duty free ports continues to grow and now includes Grand Cayman, Jamaica, St. Lucia, Barbados, St. Croix, St. Maarten/St. Martin, Jamaica and Antigua.
  • Products from Europe - You'll find these at good prices like English bone china and Irish crystal in Barbados, French perfume in St. Martin, Delft china and other Netherlands' goods in Curacao.
  • Island Specialties - Local products make the best souvenirs and gifts.
    • Semi-precious gem stone jewellery, including the light blue larimar, beautifully made in the Dominican Republic.
    • Spice from Grenada the "Spice Island", cinnamon, ginger, vanilla, cloves, nutmeg (the island is the world's second largest producer of nutmeg).
    • Cigars from Cuba, the Dominican Republic and Barbados.
    • Silk screening from St. Lucia is world famous.
    • Batik is an art mastered on St. Kitts.
    • Coffee from Jamaica (the renowned Blue Mountain), St. Lucia, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico.
    • Rum from Cuba, Puerto Rico & the Dominican Republic.
    • Rum cakes from Grand Cayman and Jamaica.
    • Angostura Bitters from Trinidad.
    • Amstel beer from Curacao is the only beer in the world made with distilled sea water. Beer is brewed on most of the islands today.
    • Curacao liqueur is also produced on the island of Curacao. Visit Chobolobo, the land house where you can watch it being made and enjoy free samples.
    • The famous straw market in Nassau has a wide selection of products made from hemp and other fibres. Sun hats and bags are the most popular.
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IMPORTANT: When booking, ask us for the appropriate supplier brochure for complete details and terms and conditions for your vacations and as well inquire about any possible past guest savings. Offers are space available and may be withdrawn at anytime without prior notice and are not combinable with other offers (unless stated otherwise). All prices, details and offers are subject to change. We are not responsible for errors or omissions.

Articles written by Susan Milne.

 Ensemble Travel Group - Experience That Takes You Places