Península de Azuero
Visitors are welcome at the Ocú workshop of this nationally known maker of Panama-style hats. Drive or walk north about 1km on Av Central; if you come to…
Must-see shopping in Central America
Tortuguero Village
Colorful artworks made of recycled driftwood, jicaro fruit and the flower pods of coconut trees are housed in this sleek white gallery space on Tortuguero…
Cooperativa de Artesanos Guararé
Península de Azuero
This mini-shop in the center of Guararé and run by the local artists cooperative is an excellent place to pick up locally produced treasures – from…
Doña María Gordillo Dulces Típicos
Antigua
If you want to eat your way around some toothsome traditional Guatemalan sweets and pastries, this is the place for you. Try the coconut macaroons, dulces…
San Pedro Sula
If you're flying out of San Pedro Sula and want to stock up on handicrafts, this is the best place to do it. Many items come from Guatemala, so ask if you…
Northern Highlands
One of the best soapstone workshops in town. Visitors are welcome to come and watch the artisans work (but call first to make sure there is someone around…
Portobelo
This artist-run studio is fascinating for art and culture buffs. Resident artist Gustavo can explain the historical and cultural significance of Congo art…
Belize City
This store carries the best stock of high-quality Belizean arts and crafts at fair prices. Attractive buys include shade-grown coffee and local chocolate,…
San Salvador
Galerías has three air-conditioned levels of upscale clothing and jewelry stores, electronics stores, cell-phone offices, banks and a cinema. The mall is…
Cobán
If what your Guatemalan journey lacks is a triple-player chessboard, a Rubix Cube in all sorts of sizes/flavors, or puzzles that will keep you entertained…
Masaya & Los Pueblos Blancos
One of several places where you can not only watch traditional hammocks being handmade by local families, but you can buy them for a fairer price than at…
Utila
Locals from school children to expats sell their wares at this fun little shop. Highlights include mats, key chains and more made by local kids out of old…
Western Honduras
An incredible find, this little store has shelves stacked floor-to-ceiling with hundreds (thousands?) of jars filled with pickled vegetables, chutneys and…
Antigua
Masses of Guatemalan handicrafts fill the stalls of this building at the west end of town just below the main market. While not at the top end of the…
San José
Dog-eared paperbacks in mostly English but also Spanish, French and German teeter in precarious towers atop crammed shelves at this chaotic jumble of a…
Hopkins
This excellent gallery and craft display is a one-stop shop for arts, crafts and souvenirs from the local area and all over Belize. Fabulous displays of…
Matagalpa
This fair-trade association sells brightly colored fiber arts from indigenous artisans in El Chile, corn-husk dolls, beaded jewelry, baskets and a…
Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio & Around
It's pricey and geared towards monied tourists, but the products are top quality. Stock up on local chocolate and all manner of local and imported organic…
San José
This hip little design shop across from Casa Amarilla sells all manner of pieces crafted by Costa Rican designers and artists, including clothing, jewelry…
Granada
Inside the Hostal Entre Amigos, this excellent gift shop sells crafts made by local artisans. What makes it special are the items made of recycled…
Highlands
Held behind Mana restaurant, this weekly farmers market is a great place to stock up on picnic items. Homemade hot sauces, aged goat cheese, baked goods…
Tegucigalpa
Every Friday and Saturday, this cheap, colorful market sets up shop near the Estadio Nacional. There’s a dazzling array of produce and stalls, hawking…
Antigua
Started by a pair of North American archaeologists who were researching ancient jade quarries in the Motagua valley, this shop features a jade workshop…
Antigua
Inside the courtyard shopping arcade Casa Antigua El Jaulón, this shop/museum displays Tz'utujil oil paintings, cedar figurines, masks and other crafts…
Masaya & Los Pueblos Blancos
While Masatepe's famous furniture market features beautiful hardwood and rattan furniture items that probably won't make it home in your backpack, the…
Quetzaltenango
For one of Xela's more intense everyday marketing experiences, hit the Mercado La Democracia, about 10 blocks north of Parque Centro América in Zona 3,…
San José
Quirky new store in Barrio Aranjuez that stocks art, jewelry, furnishings and clothing, along with little plants and other odds and ends. Each item is…
Quiché
The numerous vendor stalls here offer well-made rebozos (scarves), cintas (the pom-pommed braid woven into Ixil women's hair) and huipiles, which can cost…
Caye Caulker
This excellent gift shop near the dock sells handcrafted artisanal products made from local ingredients, including non-chemical bug spray made with…
Belize City
The shop at this hip art gallery has the country's best range of books, including international literature, and titles on Belizean and Caribbean society…
Lago de Atitlán
This small but excellent market on the upper level of the town hall displays beautiful huipiles, beadwork, bags and other crafts produced by a cooperative…
Ambergris Caye
If the cheesy offerings on the front street aren't really your style, head up the stairs to this small shop to find a selection of interesting, locally…
San Pedro La Laguna
This is a Tz'utujil women's collective that sells fair-trade woven goods and offers weaving classes for Q30 per hour (not including materials). It's about…
Comerciales de Artesanías Típicas Tinamit Maya
Panajachel
Be sure to browse the many stalls of this extensive handicrafts market, which has an impressive variety of bags, clothing, blankets, belts and hammocks…
Fundación Emprendedores Por El Mundo
Central El Salvador
Run by a group of young Salvadoran creatives, this shop sells the products of more than 50 entrepreneurs from around the country. Items include hand…
Panama City
For a Panama hat with a twist, head to this shop with a small selection of traditional hats dwarfed by other bright, bold designs. Choose from a rainbow…
Ambergris Caye
Talented and friendly local artist Ricardo Zetina crafts beautiful jewelry and figurines, as well as wonderful wood carvings. If your purchase is too big…
Ambergris Caye
Maintains the largest collections of paintings by Belizean artists in the country, in addition to a wide variety of other quality arts and crafts…
Quetzaltenango
The hectic, sprawling market immediately south of the main bus terminal is an endless labyrinth of stalls piled high with produce echoing with the cries…
El Salvador
Local indigo artist Irma Guadrón runs a cozy shop that specializes in high-quality indigo-dyed pieces; each one is meticulously handcrafted, and she…
