Guatemala City
A relaxed place to read while in the Zona Viva, with a good selection of books in English on Guatemala and the Maya, including Lonely Planet guides, and…
Must-see shopping in Central America
Chichicastenango
This fair-trade shop by the plaza's southwest corner displays the work of a local women's cooperative comprising 30 weavers, including scarves, shawls,…
Granada
If you aren’t heading to Estelí this trip, stop here for a cognac-cured taste of Nicaragua and a peek at the cigar-manufacturing process. You can even…
Ambergris Caye
New place that sells a variety of unique, natural products, from cupcake soaps to whipped shower butters. There are two locations, one on Barrier Reef Dr…
La Ceiba
This small family-run place sells Honduran artesanías (handicrafts), including Lencan pottery, wood carvings and hammocks. It's a good spot to pick up…
Fabrica de Chocolate Momotombo
Managua
These artisanal bean-to-bar chocolate makers create sweet concoctions using Nicaragua's finest cacao. Chocolate beverages, hand-crafted chocolates and…
Western Highlands
The upper level of the main market building is devoted to the town's renowned handicrafts. You'll find quality textiles, carved wood objects, ceramics and…
Quetzaltenango
Xela's central market is three floors of reasonably priced handicrafts, as well as everyday items and fresh produce. Souvenir hunters will need to bargain…
Quiché
Nebaj's market sprawls northeast of the church, particularly on market days, Thursday and Sunday, when all the streets around it are draped in a canvas…
Guatemala City
This sleepy official market near the museums and zoo sells fabrics, clothes and other standard souvenirs without the crowds of the other markets.
San José
Cool design store where you can pick up interesting art, clothing, jewelry and other odds and ends created by a couple of dozen local artists.
Granada
Swing in to this friendly store with a good selection of English-language books and maps, including numerous Lonely Planet guidebooks!
Managua
This bookstore on the premises of UNAN campus has a good selection of Nicaraguan and Latin American literature, history and poetry.
Bocas del Toro Town
This upbeat boutique sells women's clothing designed by the Californian owner as well as original jewelry, bags and wallets.
Managua
This bookstore has the best bilingual selection of books by local and international authors, as well as maps and magazines.
León
Well worth seeking out for the gorgeous handmade weavings, made by a local family co-op. Find them on Facebook.
Antigua
This shop near the Santa Catalina arch specializes in designer jewelry featuring jade and other gems.
Western El Salvador
This store is popular for its homemade textiles, tie-dyes and hand-painted objects.
Western Honduras
The central market, behind the church, sells everything from carrots to clothing.
Managua
Women's high-end fashion by Nicaraguan designer and fashion blogger Norma López.
Panama City
Although Ecuadorian in origin, Panama hats were firmly adopted by Panamanians after President Roosevelt was photographed wearing one at the construction…
Panama City
Next to the bus terminal, this mall has a cinema, a supermarket and dozens of stores, including American and European chains. If you need it, there's also…
Colón
Second in size only to Hong Kong’s, Colón’s free-trade zone is a huge fortresslike area of giant international stores selling items duty free. Most stores…
Monteverde & Santa Elena
Formerly the Monteverde Cheese Factory, this business was started in 1953 by Monteverde’s original Quaker settlers. It produced everything from a creamy…
Cayo District
On the highway, east of Georgeville, Orange Gallery is a quality gift shop and gallery showcasing a wide selection of Belizean souvenirs and handicrafts,…
Dangriga
This master artisan carves Garifuna drums from mahogany, cedar and mayflower wood in his outdoor workshop by the water's edge (southeast of Dangriga…
Monteverde & Santa Elena
Begun in 1982 as a women’s cooperative representing eight female artists, today Casem has expanded to reportedly include almost 150 local artisans (some…
Southern Belize
Operating from a hut in Indian Creek village, the Ixchel Women's Group is run by a small cooperative of Kekchí Maya women who produce traditional…
Fábrica de Carretas Eloy Alfaro
Central Valley & Highlands
Just west of the town center, 100m north of the Palí supermarket, this workshop produced the massive oxcart in Sarchí's main plaza. It's the place to pick…
Matagalpa
Mrs Rosa Ernestina Rodriguez has been crafting traditional indigenous black pottery sculptures for over 30 years and is a well-known local artist and…
Playas del Coco
So, how are you going to transport delicious chocolate, roasted and refined on-site from cacao grown on an experimental finca in the Costa Rican mountains…
Península de Azuero
For a chance to see how polleras are made, particularly the lace trim, visit this workshop just off the main road run by husband and wife William Reyes…
Colón
This sterile shopping and entertainment sector geared toward cruise-ship travelers sits on the east side of Colón. Though lacking in any discernible…
Mercado Municipal Ernesto Fernández
Masaya & Los Pueblos Blancos
This is the 'regular' marketplace – ie not the Mercado de Artesanías, which brings many travelers to town – though the mercado municipal also has a small…
Panama City
Attached to the Iglesia San José, this gallery showcases Rolo de Sedas' manga-cute pop art of Panamanian women in rainbow bursts. Women in Congo dress and…
