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,…
Must-see shopping in Central America
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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.
Managua
Women's high-end fashion by Nicaraguan designer and fashion blogger Norma López.
Western Honduras
The central market, behind the church, sells everything from carrots to clothing.
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…
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…
