Everyone thinks of the Caribbean as a vacation destination, and any shopping that visitors do on the islands is usually incidental. Most people on holiday pick up local crafts as souvenirs, casual clothes and perhaps some local rum. A Caribbean holiday can, in fact, turn out to be a great shopping experience in international designer boutiques, if you chose the right Caribbean island for your trip.
I have traveled to the Bahamas several times, and on each trip, I have made it a point to go shopping for duty-free goods and designer watches or jewelry. It makes sense, if you are frequent traveler to the Caribbean to take a trip to the Bahamas just before the holidays. Shopping for gifts in duty free shops and international designer boutiques is far more enjoyable when the weather is sunny. Walking to your car with your packages and trying to open the door with frozen fingers, balancing your packages with one hand is no fun at all. In fact, it is so relaxing to shop while you are on holiday, that you just need to be careful that you don’t spend more than you had planned to.
If you are in Puerto Rico’s San Juan, then Condado is the place for shopping in international designer boutiques. In the Bahamas, a stroll down Bay Street will give you an idea of the various international labels available here : from watches and jewelry to perfumes and luggage.
Ochos Rios and Montego Bay in Jamaica are better options than Negril when it comes to shopping in international designer boutiques. Island Village and Taj Mahal Plaza in Ochos Rios have plenty of outlets for designer jewelry and accessories. The Half Moon Shopping Village in Montego Bay has a variety of shops and boutiques to cater to visitors.
Curacao in the Netherlands Antilles is another place known for its shopping, particularly jewelry, watches and accessories from European designers.
