Port of Spain
Fantastic little bookshop specializing in Caribbean fiction and non-fiction; often stages readings and special events, too.
Must-see shopping in Caribbean
Santiago de Cuba
The definitive Cuban specialist music store; this retail outlet of Egrem Studios has a good selection from local musicians.
St John
One-stop shop by the ferry dock for bush tea, glass art, hot sauce, rum cake, local spices and other Virgin Islands goods.
Cienfuegos
Gallery run by Cuban cultural agency that sells folk art. There's usually a small bookstall set up in the street outside.
Habana Vieja
Pop into this gallery to see the large, hectic but intriguing canvases by Nelson Domínguez, whose workshop is upstairs.
Pinar del Río Province
Near the Fábrica de Tabacos Francisco Donatien, sells souvenirs, CDs and T-shirts, plus plenty of the strong stuff.
Kingston
Excellent contemporary art and crafts by local artists, with regular open studio residences for Jamaican creatives.
Viñales
This private-enterprise market sells Cuba-themed arts and crafts, and sets up in Calle Joaquin Pérez every day.
Tortola
Stocks an excellent selection of adults' and children’s books, including works by West Indian and BVI authors.
Kingston
Large shopping mall (and important Kingston navigational landmark), with a supermarket, food court and cinema.
Grand Cayman
An excellent, high-end bathing-suit store that also sells rash guards, 'athleisure' apparel and yoga outfits.
Matanzas Province
Attractive ceramic bracelets are sold at the Taller de Cerámica, where you can see five kilns in operation.
Bequia
Carefully crafted model boats are made here under a breadfruit tree and sold in a tidy little gallery.
Habana Vieja
For a range of coffee and a decent taster cup, pop into La Casa del Café, just off Plaza de Armas.
Ocho Rios
All the sounds Jamaica can offer – reggae and dancehall CDs, as well as ska, mento and calypso.
Habana Vieja
At Museo del Tabaco you can see various indigenous pipes and idols and buy some splendid smokes.
Varadero
Buy fine artistic pottery made on the premises. Most items are in the CUC$200 to CUC$250 range.
Trinidad
Dodge the street hustlers and satisfy your alcoholic (rum) and tobacco vices here.
Pinar del Río Province
Selection of maps, books and office supplies next door to the Cubanacán office.
Galería Taller Escultura Rita Longa
Las Tunas
The small gallery pulls together some fine local work for perusal or purchase.
Librería Centenario del Apóstol
Vedado
Great assortment of used books with a José Martí bias in downtown Vedado.
Fondo Cubano Bienes Culturales
Camagüey
Sells all kinds of artifacts in a pleasantly nontouristy setting.
Centro Comercial Playa Pesquero
Holguín Province
Mall with fast food, money exchange, shop and bowling alley.
Havana
Well, it's an interesting idea. This exclusive perfume parlor reopened on the same premises as the original 1917 shop and sells high-end perfume and…
Santo Domingo
This small boutique shop sells cigars, and staff members will explain the cigar-making process from start to finish. You can see cigars being rolled in…
Península de Samaná
This very pastel and under-utilized strip mall designed like a Caribbean village houses a small medical clinic, the Caribe Tours office, a good pharmacy,…
Villa Clara Province
Welcome to a Cuban town full of…Canadians. It’s hard to know what to make of this mock colonial village with its imitation Manaca Iznaga tower and phony…
Amsterdam Cheese & Liquor Store
St-Martin & Sint Maarten
Past a pair of giant red Dutch wooden shoes (selfie alert!) lies this Gouda nirvana, which does a roaring trade in everything from soft-textured Young…
Villa Clara Province
The newest of the three shopping/entertainment centers on Cayo Santa María, this one has its own beach – although you're supposed to pay CUC$5 to use it…
Villa Clara Province
One of three 'toy town' shopping centers on the cayos, this one comes complete with fake Spanish galleon, fake lighthouse and fake town square. Granted,…
Negril
A dozen practically identical shops selling elephants from Rajasthan, wooden cats and colorful masks from Bali, Chinese ashtrays, and Jamaican bamboo…
Santo Domingo
Bargain hard at this crowded market, which sells everything from love potions to woodcarvings, jewelry and, of course, the ubiquitous 'Haitian-style'…
Nassau
Fronted by touts directing the cruise-ship crowds inside, this frenetic market has long been the go-to place for knock-off purses, souvenir T-shirts, and…
St Croix
Woodworkers transform chunks of fallen mahogany trees into all manner of art and housewares at this open-air studio set deep in the rainforest. Be…
Zeelandia Arts & Crafts Gift Shop
Sint Eustatius
This little shop in the private home of Teddy and Michelle Ocaña is the locals' go-to place for gifts from perfume to jewelry, wind chimes to wallets,…
