Montego Bay

Shopping

Shopping in Jamaica is full of opportunities - if you know where to look. The island actually has plenty of 'duty free' stores: notably in Montego Bay, Negril and Ocho Rios. Blue Mountain Coffee, Rum, Jamaican cigars, seasonings and paintings are all good buys. Shop around though, and compare prices - they do vary wildly. And if you're after spices, jerk sauces and scotch bonnet peppers it's best to buy these in traditional markets as they'll be much fresher.

The main street of Ocho Rios has the highest concentration of shops in town. Jamaican-made products make the best souvenirs. Ocean Village, Coconut Grove and Pineapple Place are all small, tourist-themed malls (little more than clusters of small shops, really) while Taj Mahal is the town's duty free emporium. Mutual Security Plaza has the biggest range of souvenirs - from island-distilled rum to glassware and crafts.

Negril has plenty of shopping opportunities downtown, with the craft market off Norman Manley Boulevard offering a colourful mix of locally made, and Chinese-counterfeit goods. The town's most proud of its new, glitzy shopping mall. Time Square Mall just along the road from the market, on Norman Manley Boulevard is a step up in shopping opportunities - selling designer watches, clothes, jewellery and the islands' first bespoke cigar stall, with a walk-in humidor, selling genuine Habanos or Cuban cigars.

Montego Bay's shops are clustered around Half-Moon Bay Resort and the Freeport by the harbour - look here for Bob Marley souvenirs and lovely silk screen printed t shirts. The Old Fort Craft Park - The Jamaican Tourist Board licenses over 180 vendors. Located on the site of a fort, you can browse for souvenir items here. The Craft Market in busy downtown Montego Bay is where to find locally made hats, woodwork and farm produce - you can usually strike a better bargain here. Another popular store is Things Jamaican - artwork, sculptures, Jerk sauces and liqueurs and all good value.