Vacation Shopping In Jamaica — Where To Go & What To Expect!

Jamaica is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Caribbean. If you want a tropical vacation mixed in with some great shopping, then this island is a great option. There are many interesting places to shop in Jamaica including Ocho Rios, Montego Bay, Negril, Port Antonio, and Kingston. Although this list expands to other parts of this beautiful island, these are the areas where you can expect to find the best malls, shops, boutiques, and craft markets in Jamaica. Added to that, these areas have some pretty amazing beaches and other natural attractions too!

In terms of where to shop in Jamaica, you may find that this decision can be influenced by where you choose to stay. With careful selection, you’ll be at the heart of it all and won't miss a beat… or a shopping deal! Without further ado, here are the best places to go shopping in Jamaica and what you can expect out of a Jamaica shopping expedition!

Good to know: No matter where you shop in Jamaica or what you’re looking for, you’re sure to find a place where you can buy something special to remember your amazing vacation!

Where to go shopping in Jamaica

In Jamaica, you’ll have quite a few shopping destinations to choose from around the island. Compared to some of the other Caribbean islands, some items can even be cheaper in Jamaica. Below, we've included some of the best places to shop on this island. Keep in mind that although there are many great places to shop in Jamaica, our list includes the most popular locations where you can find things that visitors to Jamaica often look for.

Expert tip: Before heading out on a Jamaica shopping trip, take a look at these Jamaica travel tips dos and don’ts.

Island Village (Ocho Rios)

Let’s start with Island Village in Ocho Rios. This is a shopping and entertainment complex where you can find some of the best shopping in Jamaica. Open-air and welcoming, you’ll have a village feel cruising into this shopping center. The shops and stalls here are laid out most charmingly around a central garden. All of this inspires a peaceful state of mind as you walk into what is sure to be a memorable shopping experience.

Island Village is a good option if you’re looking for Jamaican souvenirs, jewelry, liquor, cigars, and more. The majority of the items sold here are duty-free which means you’ll pay less for them at this location as opposed to some other shopping centers in Jamaica. If you want to shop here and take in the ambiance, the best time is in the morning or late afternoon. If you want to avoid crowds, you may not want to visit Island Village on Wednesdays as this tends to be a busy cruise ship day. Island Village also has a few restaurants that you can choose from to enjoy tasty Jamaican cuisine before or after shopping.

Taj Mahal Shopping Center (Ocho Rios)

Next up is the Taj Mahal Shopping Center in Ocho Rios. This shopping center promises to “make your dreams come true”. Certainly, this can be the case, especially if you’re into duty-free shopping or just want to shop somewhere with a little bit of everything. The Taj Mahal Shopping Center is one of the larger shopping centers in Jamaica and you’ll find duty-free shops here selling items by various brands including watches by Seiko, Citizen, and Swiss Army, fragrances by Calvin Klein and Chanel, and more.

A visit to the Taj Mahal Shopping Center is recommended if you're looking to shop somewhere with good jewelry offerings, authentic leather goods, duty-free prices, and more. The Taj Mahal is popular with visitors looking for souvenir items as well. Shops like Cool Runnings and Caribbean Paradise are ideal for these and you’ll find items like Jamaican CDs, hats, beachwear, rum, and coffee. You can also stop by shops like Island Craft if you’re interested in straw hats, wood carvings, Jamaican artwork, and other unique items.

If you go to the Taj Mahal Shopping Center during your vacation, be prepared to bargain for the items that you want. The vendors can at times be a tad pushy, but you can simply say “no, thank you” if you're not interested. The good thing about shopping here is that the prices tend to be competitive. The available food offerings are appealing as well — there are three restaurants including Mama Marley’s, Reggae Ally, and Café Express.

Good to know: You’ll be able to find a currency exchange and an ATM at the Taj Mahal Shopping Center. It is possible to get both U.S. dollars (USD) and Jamaican dollars (JMD) from the ATM at this location.

Times Square Mall (Negril)

Times Square Mall is loved by both locals and visitors in Jamaica. This is a mid-size shopping center located near the beach in Negril. At Times Square Mall, you can expect to find items including souvenirs and gifts, jewelry, accessories, clothing, swimwear, electronics, and more. Keep in mind that some of the shops here are duty-free and some aren’t. There’s a focus at some stores on Jamaican-made clothing and accessories, so if that’s what you're interested in, this is a good place to check it out.

While shopping at Times Square Mall, keep in mind that bartering is encouraged. The stores here expect this, so if you’ve found a better price elsewhere, try to bargain. Some popular finds at Times Square Mall include Blue Mountain coffee, Jamaican rum, clothing, hats (rasta colors are a popular option), towels, cigars, shot glasses, wood carvings, jewelry, and more. In addition to shopping, you can enjoy the restaurants and food stands at the mall to grab a bite or even just a drink. If you want a quick bite, try some jerk chicken or Jamaican patties.

Good to know: At Times Square Mall, you’ll also be able to find currency exchange facilities, ATMs, and a pharmacy. There’s a supermarket located in the mall as well.

Rutland Point Craft Market (Negril)

The Rutland Point Craft Market in Negril is an excellent option for souvenirs and craft items in Jamaica. This market was one of the first to begin operations on the island over 30 years ago. At this location, you'll find a wide selection of authentic Jamaican merchandise including crafts, paintings, pottery, t-shirts, and swimwear. Most of the items sold at this market are made locally.

The Rutland Point Craft Market is near some of the most popular Negril resorts. This means you can stay in this area and have easy access to good shopping. It is possible to walk to the Rutland Point Craft Market from the resort area. When shopping here, you can expect friendly service, good deals, and a good enough selection that almost everyone who goes can find something to take home with them as a Jamaica memento.

Expert tip: If you're looking for the perfect Jamaica resorts for your family vacation, keep in mind that some of the Ocho Rios resorts are pretty amazing too. Beaches Resorts has an Ocho Rios location that can be an exciting option for an island vacation that includes lots of beach time.

Half Moon Shopping Village (Montego Bay)

Half Moon Shopping Village is a popular option for shopping in the Montego Bay area. At this location, you’ll find a few different outlets, about 20 in all, selling a wide selection of items. Head to this shopping center if you’re looking for designer fashion, cosmetics, beachwear, and more. In terms of the high-end stores and boutiques at this location, look out for brands like Louis Vuitton, Bvlgari, and Cartier.

Half Moon Shopping Village is open-air and has a casual, tropical feel to it. There are a few restaurants here and among the most popular is the Royal Stocks English-style pub. Some bar options can be found at this shopping center as well. While at Half Moon, you might also want to check out The Bob Marley Experience next door, which is essentially a museum that is dedicated to the life and music of legendary reggae artist Bob Marley. Between these two locations, you’ll be able to find quite a few reggae-themed souvenirs while in Jamaica. Half Moon Shopping Village is loved by visitors because of its close to a few lovely beaches.

Main Street Jamaica (Montego Bay)

Main Street Jamaica is probably one of the first recommendations you'll get if you ask about the best places to shop on this island. This shopping center was previously known as The Shoppes at Rose Hall and it is a great place to go if you’re specifically looking for luxury goods. At Main Street Jamaica, you can find brands like Dior, Chanel, Cartier, and more.

If you’re more interested in locally made items, you’ll still be able to find quite a few options here. Main Street Jamaica is a good place to shop for local ingredients that you can take home to recreate your favorite Jamaican dishes. Other good finds here include high-quality items like jewelry, homeware, and fashion. In addition to souvenirs and other items Main Street Jamaica also has several restaurants and stalls serving authentic Jamaican cuisine.

Good to know: There are lots of amazing things Jamaica is known for aside from shopping. This includes world-class natural attractions like Dunn’s River Falls, the Blue Mountains, and the super chill bamboo river rafting tours. There’s just so much to explore on this island, which makes it a great vacation destination for families!

What to look for when shopping in Jamaica

In Jamaica, you’ll find a wide variety of authentic island-inspired souvenirs. Some of the most popular items include reggae-themed options, goods with Rastafarian colors (red, green, and yellow), and other locally crafted items. Here are some more popular options:

Luxury items

Jamaica stands out among Caribbean shopping destinations as it has quite diverse options when it comes to luxury items. Added to the fact that you'll have more to choose from, travelers to this island can benefit from duty-free prices as well. Many shopping centers and malls offer a range of luxury items including clothing, perfume, purses, cosmetics, watches, jewelry, and more.

Locally crafted items

It can be worth it to look out for locally crafted items in Jamaica as this is one way to get authentic souvenirs to take back home with you. Options include handmade crafts like wood carvings, pottery, jewelry and woven baskets, artwork (including paintings and sculptures), Blue Mountain pottery, handmade hammocks, locally designed clothing, and more. Whichever of these items you choose, it will certainly help you share those precious Jamaica memories or keep them close to your heart.

Food and drink

Jamaican food and drinks are hands down amazing! There are lots of options of things to take back home with you to capture a taste of Jamaica. At most of the local markets, you’ll be able to find things like Jamaican jerk seasoning, which is a blend of herbs and spices typically used to season meat. With this seasoning, you’ll be able to recreate some of the delicious jerk meats that you might have had a chance to try while in Jamaica. This seasoning can be found in jars or packets, and you can bring enough with you to share with friends and family back home.

Other popular options in the food and drink category that you can take home with you include local spices, rum cake (and local rum), and the highly sought-after Blue Mountain coffee.

Good to know: If there are specific items that you want to take home from Jamaica, you might want to check out customs and airline restrictions ahead of purchasing these. This is important just in case there are specific limitations attached to the items that you have in mind.

Tips and tricks to shopping in Jamaica:

Every destination has its shopping dos and don’ts, and this is something to be familiar with when going on vacation. Here are some tips and tricks that you might find useful for shopping in Jamaica:

• Expect to haggle: The vendors at craft markets and other shopping centers in Jamaica can be super persistent! This means that you should know what you want to get so you won't be sidetracked. Once you find the item that you want, try to bargain. This is expected, and you might end up paying more than you would have otherwise if you don’t. If you plan on haggling, you’ll also want to bring smaller bills with you (more on this below!).
  

• Jamaica’s general consumption tax rate (GCT) is 16.5%, and applies to certain items at established stores. This does not include items sold by craft vendors and open markets. The consumption tax is the equivalent of a sales tax. Factor this in when heading to certain shopping centers in Jamaica.
  

• Carry small bills so that you can have as close to exact change as possible: Some vendors only accept cash, so if you want to buy anything, you’ll need to come prepared for this. Additionally, it makes sense to have cash in the local currency and small bills so that you don't have to worry about the vendors not having enough change. Keep in mind that if you pay in USD, you're likely to get your change in local currency. This can be inconvenient if, at the end of your trip, you wind up with way more JMD than you actually need.
  

• Most stores will accept U.S. dollars, but make sure you know the exchange rates if you want to pay with them. Though this can be convenient, you might wind up paying more if you pay in USD (or any other currency including British pounds) than you would with local currency. This is because the exchange rates can vary in Jamaica based on where you’ll be spending your money. Ask about the exchange rate before you buy to see if it's worth it.
  

• Plan ahead!: With any vacation, chances are higher of a smooth experience if you plan. In that regard, if you’re planning on shopping in Jamaica, it can be useful to put together a budget. This can help you to avoid splurging as you’ll have an idea of how much you’re willing to spend ahead of time. Do some research before you go as well so you can find out where to get the items you want, and how much they are expected to cost. Get as much information as you can so that once you get there, your shopping experience goes off without a hitch!
  

Overall, it is useful to convert your shopping money to Jamaican currency (JMD) at the start of your trip, so you can avoid all of the confusion that can come with exchange rates, cash payments, and more while in Jamaica!

Good to know: When shopping in Jamaica, definitely make a point of noting cruise ship days. This is important if you want to avoid crowds on the busiest days.

Shopping in Jamaica is just the adventure you need!

White sands, rum, and reggae are amazing, but being able to find that perfect place to shop for great souvenirs can add to your vacation experience too. Whether you want a quiet and relaxing shopping experience or you want to head out to the most bustling shopping towns in Jamaica, you're bound to find a location on our list to suit your needs. Overall, the key to a great shopping vacation on this island is selecting the best area to stay in Jamaica.

In Jamaica, we highly recommend staying at an all-inclusive resort if you want to do tours and shopping on the island. All-inclusive resorts like Beaches Resorts make it easy to plan tours and excursions through your resort. During your booking process, you can ask about signing up for various activities of your choice, or you can wait until you get to your resort to decide. Either way, you'll be all set once you arrive in Jamaica! Beaches Resorts make a Caribbean vacation even more hassle-free with quality inclusions for families that include multiple restaurants, kids camps, day and night entertainment, a water park, professional nannies for parents who want a break, and so much more!

Good to know: 'All-inclusive’ - Beaches Resorts-style - means that all you’ll need to think about is buying souvenirs. Food, drinks, anytime snacks, and pretty much everything you'll need for an exciting vacation with your family will all be included!