Must-see shopping in Central America
Panama City
This cigar shop and bar on a quiet street of the historic district of Casco Viejo aims to bring a little piece of Havana to Panama City. There's a…
Belize City
On the street outside the Tourist Village, local vendors set up tents and tables to sell their wares, which include T-shirts with snappy slogans, original…
Tourist Village & Brown Sugar Mall
Belize City
This waterfront complex exists for the convenience of cruise-ship passengers, who disembark here on their land trips. Non-cruise tourists may enter from…
Ambergris Caye
Sure, this place has loads of stuffed toucans and 'You better Belize it' T-shirts, but it also has a decent selection of music by Belizean artists, the…
Hopkins
Between Hopkins and Sittee Point, follow the signs toward the beach and stop at the old bus. This is Sew Much Hemp, a classic hippie outpost where Barbara…
San Ignacio
From gastric distress and asthma to high blood pressure, gall stones and gout, Dr Harry Guy claims his jungle remedies can cure nearly any ailment. Many…
Puerto Viejo de Talamanca
Come to the area of the beach at the southern end of town for souvenirs, brightly colored vests, multicolored harem pants, beach dresses and reggae…
San José
This busy four-story mall (often used as a landmark) houses a multiscreen cinema, a food court, a video arcade and the usual mix of clothing, phone and…
Caribbean Coast
A couple of minutes' walk from the boat landing, this is the place to get your groceries, including fresh meat, bread, fruit and vegetables. Also stocks…
Belize City
Brodie's is the biggest department store in the country. Some of the 'departments' are pretty small, but it's still a good place to look for clothing and…
Panama City
Near one of Panama City’s newer Chinatowns, El Dorado also has restaurants, shops and a cinema. It's located near Corredor Norte and Parque Natural…
Tortuguero Village
On the main street, this is the place to pick up a postcard, a Tortuguero turtle T-shirt, a pack of turtle-themed playing cards or some local woodwork…
Belize City
A large hardware store stocking tools, tarps, bug spray and wet-weather gear. A good place to hit before heading into the bush.
Arts & Crafts of Central America
San Ignacio
This little shop below Central Otel sells a wide variety of handmade jewelry, handbags and textiles, mostly from Guatemala.
El Salvador
If you're short on time and gifts, stop by this ever-expanding store that stocks handicrafts and artwork from the region.
Panajachel
This small shopping center by the main junction contains cafes and a nightclub, as well as a variety of everyday stores.
Panama City
A collection of shops surrounded by a concentration of pleasant open-air restaurants.
Monteverde & Santa Elena
A small selection of books, some in English, but mostly office supplies
