Shopping in Jamaica

Browse through the local craft markets to experience the immense talent of the Jamaican artisans.

Shopping in Jamaica is a great experience in and of itself and you will have a ball browsing the markets and shops. Read on through our Jamaica Shopping Guide for all you need to know about how to get the best deals in town and where to find them. If you work up an appetite during your shopping spree, stop for some finger food or relax in one the many local restaurants along the shopping streets. Our Caribbean Shopping Guide offers some great souvenir and shopping ideas in our other Caribbean destinations.

Jamaica Shopping Guide

The best buys in Jamaica would be handicrafts. Just browse through the local craft markets to experience the immense talent of the Jamaican artisans. Such markets are available in almost all towns of the country like Ocho Rios, Port Antonio, Negril and Montego Bay. The outlets that are highly reputed for handicrafts and other Jamaican products are Devon House in Kingston and the Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay.

Ensure that you do your shopping in a relaxed and comfortable ambience. So plan your shopping trips on days when there are no ships in port as the craft markets get very crowded on such days.

The airports are also good places to pick up some good Jamaican rum, Tia Maria liqueur and cigars. You will find good products at good prices here. Duty Free Shops are ideal if you are looking for good deals in jewellery, designer clothing, and perfumes. Check out the pharmacies and shopping malls in any town for essential supplies like grocery, medicines or toiletries.

Shopping in Jamaica is a most enjoyable experiences. Vendors sell all kinds of goods. Local hand made crafts find their due place as well as imported perfumes and designer watches that are relatively cheap and don't burn a hole on your pocket!

The secret to some satisfying and enjoyable Jamaican shopping is to learn the art of bargaining. Of course, certain shopping areas have fixed rates, like those in City Centre, Half Moon Shopping Village and Holiday Village Shopping Centre. All these places are situated in Montego Bay. No bargaining is permitted here. The prices too are slightly higher than the market rates. Nevertheless, the ‘no bargaining' policy in some places helps you to avoid the hassle of bargaining for a reasonable price for the goods.

Jamaican markets are just the right place for those visitors who enjoy the thrill of bargaining and haggling for goods.

Bargaining

Bargaining in Jamaica is a pleasant experience as it puts you in touch with the local traditions. Of course, certain precautions need to be followed. The first rule to observe while bargaining is never to approach a vendor about an item you are not interested in buying. The art of bargaining in Jamaica requires you to do some amount of acting too! When you are told the price of a product, act a little disappointed and even start walking away. Nine out of ten times the vendor will lower the price for you, making it appear like a discount for a special visitor to his country. Once you know the lowered price decide whether it suits your budget and suggest a price lesser than the one quoted by him. Eventually you can reach a compromise and settle for a price in between. The idea is never to give up - you are bound to get something you like at a cheap rate.

Native Goods

For souvenir hunters, Jamaica is paradise. Innumerable items are available that are worth haggling for. Local talented artists make beautiful pieces of craft that can be bought as gifts for friends or used for your home. Paintings of exquisite sunsets, lavish landscapes and beautiful beaches are easily available. Wood relief carvings of people and scenes are also tempting to buy as the local art in Jamaica is one of a kind and is bound to brighten up your home or a friend's place.

Blue Mountain Coffee is another thing for which Jamaica is famous. This popular coffee is locally grown and harvested and sells for more than twice its local price in the United States. It is easily available in duty-free shops in tiny burlap gift bags for approximately $1(USD) per ounce. However, you can get the same coffee for a lower price in the local markets at coffee stands in Jamaica. Do be wary of wayside coffee vendors who might take you for a ride and sell you coffee that is not worth the price you pay.

Jamaica is also home to exclusive high-quality woven crafts that are sold in Montego Bay's Craft Market or by small merchants in the streets. All kinds of accessories like baskets, purses, hats and other intricately handcrafted products are available here. The three, bright Rastafarian colours of green, red and yellow that reflect the flavour of Jamaica are everywhere.

Amidst the colourful, interesting and enjoyable Jamaican experience do be careful about the local drug peddlers who approach unsuspecting visitors, especially men and boys, offering ‘something special.' In spite of the legal ban on the use of marijuana, its use is widespread in Jamaica. One act of carelessness could spoil your holiday trip. So, how does one ward off these people? A stern look or a calm refusal usually sends most drug peddlers away.

Duty Free

All items that are available at duty-free savings are found in plenty in duty-free shops in Jamaica. In fact, visitors from the United States can get to save 25 to 30 percent on popular brand items such as china and crystal (even Waterford crystal), brand name watches, perfumes and leather products by names such as Fendi and Liz Claiborne.

Remember that for shopping items to be considered duty-free, they need to be paid for in foreign currency. American dollars are easily accepted everywhere. Major credit cards are also acceptable in some places.

Restricted Items

Coral and turtle products are considered illegal under Jamaican law due to the damage caused to the environment. Although the mentioned items are still available it is advisable to not purchase them, as there could be problems at the airport during the customs check in Jamaica as well as in the United States. Cuban cigars are also very popular and are easily available but could be confiscated during custom checks.

Shopping Hours

Shops generally remain open six days a week from 8 am to 4 pm. They function from 8 am to 1 pm on Saturdays while some shops close for half a day on Wednesdays in Kingston and on Thursdays on the rest of the island.

Currency

One Jamaican dollar J$ (JMD) is equal to 100 cents. Currency notes are in denominations of J$ 1,000, 500, 100 and 50. Coins are in denominations of J$ 20, 10, 5, 1 and 25, 10 and 1 cent.

Currency Exchange

You can exchange money at airports as well as at banks, hotels and bureaux de change. The receipts must, however, be carefully retained as changing money on the black market is illegal.

Credit/Debit Cards and ATMs

All major credit and debit cards like American Express, Diner's Club, Master Card and Visa are accepted in Jamaica. Other cards with a Cirrus or Plus Logo are also acceptable. Credit card advances are also available from banks. Many Jamaican ATMs accept international bankcards.

Traveller's Cheques

Travellers are advised to take traveller's cheques in US dollars to avoid additional exchange rate charges.

Banking Hours

Banking hours are generally from 9am to 2pm Monday to Thursday, and from 9am to 12pm and 2.30pm to 5pm on Fridays.