Best Duty-Free Shopping in the Caribbean: Must-Visit Destinations

U.S. Virgin Islands: St. Thomas and St. Croix

St. Thomas’ capital city of Charlotte Amalie boasts hundreds of duty-free shops, making it the leading destination in the Caribbean for duty-free shopping. Main Street, Back Street, and Waterfront Street, along with the alleys in between, are dotted with shops offering discounted jewelry, alcohol, cameras, clothing, and much more. U.S. visitors are allowed to bring home up to $1,600 worth of goods duty-free, which adds to the allure of this shopping paradise. Additionally, Havensight, near the cruise terminal, is another popular duty-free shopping venue.

Philipsburg, St. Maarten, and Marigot, St. Martin

Philipsburg provides excellent deals on jewelry, high fashion, tax-free tobacco products, leather goods, and local liquor, particularly a variety of flavored rums. The mile-long Front Street is lined with over two dozen duty-free shops, alongside name-brand boutiques like Tiffany and Tommy Hilfiger. The Sint Rose Shopping Mall on the boardwalk boasts stores like Cartier, Lalique, and Faconnable, with even more retail options on the charming side streets. In French St. Martin, Le West Indies in Marigot also offers three floors of duty-free shopping.

Barbados

Broad Street in Bridgetown is home to the greatest concentration of duty-free stores in Barbados, featuring popular establishments like Harrison’s and Cave Shepherd, the largest department store on the island. Madison’s Duty-Free Inc. at West Coast Mall presents an impressive range of products, from linen outfits to cocktail dresses and evening gowns. For exquisite handcrafted jewelry, visit Heather Harrington Jones in Holetown, St. James, noted for top-quality gold, platinum, and sterling silver creations.

Nassau, Bahamas

The Bahamas also offers a broad array of luxury duty-free goods such as liquor, china, crystal, collectibles, fragrances, watches, photographic equipment, and leather goods, especially in Nassau. Bay Street is the epicenter for duty-free shopping, while tax-free deals can also be discovered at the Port Lucaya Marketplace on Grand Bahama Island. Notably, handicrafts sold at Nassau’s famous Straw Market are tax-free, providing an excellent opportunity for savvy shoppers to haggle for better prices.

Antigua

The Heritage Quay Shopping Center in St. John’s represents the premier destination for duty-free shopping in Antigua. Not to be overlooked, picturesque Redcliffe Quay, which once served as the center of commerce along the waterfront, also offers enticing shopping options.

George Town, Grand Cayman

Grand Cayman is recognized as a leading tax haven, hence it is no surprise that George Town is a staple for duty-free shoppers. The island offers an extensive selection of luxury goods, including watches, crystal, china, perfume, jewelry, and rare coins. Notably, many shops are conveniently located within walking distance from the island’s cruise terminal. Kirk Freeport is a local favorite among duty-free purveyors. Additionally, be sure to take home a famous Tortuga Rum Cake from the Grand Cayman factory!

Willemstad, Curacao

Curacao boasts the largest Harbor Duty-Free Zone in the Caribbean, encompassing 57 acres of shopping opportunities that allure visitors and retailers alike seeking bargains. One important detail to note is that any items purchased must be shipped directly home or delivered to your cruise ship or flight. A smaller duty-free zone is also situated at the airport. Although Curacao’s other retail stores may not be duty-free, the combination of low duty charges and the absence of sales tax still results in considerable savings.

Grenada

Grenada’s duty-free shops are primarily located along the picturesque Carenage in St. George’s and at the airport. Here you can find the typical offerings of liquor, jewelry, and other luxury products, alongside locally made batik fabrics and the island’s famed spices, enriching the shopping experience.

Jamaica

The capital of Kingston, along with Jamaica’s notable resort towns, including Montego Bay and Negril, are equipped with numerous duty-free shops that cater to shoppers seeking rum, jewelry, cigars, and more. It is noteworthy that purchases made at Jamaican duty-free shops must be conducted using foreign currency or a credit card.

St. Lucia

Duty-free shopping can be found at most of St. Lucia’s major shopping centers, including Marina Village in Marigot Bay, J.Q. Charles Shopping Mall near Rodney Bay, La Place Carenage Shopping Centre in Castries, and Pointe Seraphine Shopping Complex adjacent to the cruise port.