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Are you curious as to what are the best Caribbean islands for luxury shopping?

Then this article provides all the details.

As Caribbean nationals, we can say with all certainty that in addition to amazing white sand beaches, hiking trails, magnificent waterfalls and excursions, visitors can find high end luxurious brands in several Caribbean islands.

So if you will like to add a piece of jewelery, designer clothing or a high end handbag to your collection, then you can combine your shopping trip with your Caribbean vacation.

In this article, we summarize what are the best Caribbean islands for luxury shopping as well as other unique things to do in each destination to make your visit unforgettable.

So let’s dive in.

1. St Thomas

Our first recommendation is the Caribbean island of St Thomas which is an overseas dependency of the United States of America.

Therefore, US Citizens do not require a passport for entry and exit to the island.

Furthermore, the US dollar is the official currency which is seamless for US visitors.

One advantage of luxury shopping in St Thomas is that each visitor to the island including children is allowed $1600 each of duty free purchases back into the USA.

In the heart of the capital city of Charlotte Amalie, brands such as Gucci ,Louis Vuitton, Little Switzerland, Diamonds International and Bebe have a retail presence.

Another location where you can find luxurious stores is at Yacht Haven Grande. This is  a premium waterfront development which features a marina and a number of medium to high end stores.

 In addition, to some of those previously mentioned, Coach and Bvlgari have retail operations at Yacht Haven Grande.

St Thomas is also a phenomenal destination for beach lovers and persons who enjoy island hopping.

Magens Bay Beach is loved for its calm and gentle waters, white sands and amenities. It is located within the Magens Bay Park.

There are ferry services available to the nearby British Virgin Islands (BVI). Persons from the USA should travel with a passport for entry and exit into the BVI.

2. St Barths

St Barths is another awesome location to visit for high end and luxurious shopping in the Caribbean.

The island is an overseas territory of France and hence Euros is the official currency of the destination.

The capital city of Gustavia is the ideal location for shopping. The main areas for luxury retail stores are Quai de la Republique, Rue du General de Gaulle and Rue de Roi Oscar 11.

Some of the high end brands with retail operations include Dior, Hermes, Louis Vuitton, Cartier, Bvlgari and Dolce and Gabbana.

St Barths is a Caribbean island that attracts many A list celebrities to its shores such as the Kardashians.

The island is known for its fine French dining options.with Bagatelle St Barths, Orega St Barths and Santa Fe being three elegant options to explore.

For beach lovers, Shell Beach is one of the loved spots by both visitors and local alike.

Located a few minutes’ walk from the capital city, this beach is small with palm trees on the shores for excellent shade.

Shell Beach got its name from the numerous small shells that cover the shoreline. Therefore, it is advisable to carry water shoes.

St Barths has no international airport and access can be either by small aircraft or private jet to Gustaff III Airport.

Ferry services are available from St Maarten directly to St Barths.

3. Anguilla

The British overseas island of Anguilla is another destination to visit for high end shopping.

If you are searching for designer beach and resort wear, Anguilla is the one of the best Caribbean islands to visit.

Anguilla is a great destination for persons seeking tranquility, white sand beaches and island hopping to neighboring St Maarten/ St Martin.

Rendezvous Bay Beach, Shoal Bay East and Sandy Ground Beach are three of the favorites of both locals and visitors alike.

There are non-stop ferry services from Blowing Point to both the French and Dutch side of St Maarten/ St Martin.

4. Bahamas

John Bull is the place to visit for high end luxury store located in Nassau on New Providence Island.

High end retail outlets such as Gucci, Michael Kors, Tiffany & Co, Movado, Omego, Gucci, Bvlgari, Rolex and many more can be found at John Bull.

There are also boutiques available at the luxury resorts such as the Atlantis and Baha Mar.

The Bahamas is an excellent place to visit for persons who are interested in a weekend getaway due to its proximity to the United States of America.

Gold Rock Beach, Cable Beach and Tropic of Cancer Beach are three of the amazing spots to visit for beautiful white and powdery sand in the Bahamas.

For a unique experience, Pig Beach on the island of Exuma is the perfect for those who want to swim with the iconic pigs.

5. St Maarten

The Dutch Caribbean island of St Maarten is a perfect destination to consider for luxury shopping.

Front Street located in the heart of the capital city of Phillipsburg is an excellent location to visit if you are searching for jewelery and electronic gadgets.

You can find selection from international brands such as Gucci and Versace.

International businesses such as Little Switzerland have a presence on this street which offers the best names in watches and jewelery design from Omega and Breitling.

St Maarten is home to the iconic beach, Maho Beach for airplane enthusiasts who want to experience jet blast.

There are also direct ferry services to neighboring islands of Anguilla, St Barths, St Eustatius, St Kitts and Saba for persons who love island hopping.

6. Puerto Rico

For luxurious shopping in Puerto Rico, the mall of San Juan is the best location to visit.

There are several upscale brands such as Armani Exchange, Coach, Versace, Carolina Herrera and Bvlgari.

Puerto Rico is an extraordinary destination for white sand beaches, island getaways and nightlife.

Isla Palominoes, Isla de Caja de Muertos, Vieques Island and Culebra Island are small spots perfect outdoor enthusiasts who enjoy island getaways.

Puerto Rico also has amazing beaches with Flamenco beach being one of the best on the island. This location is gorgeous and calm which makes it perfect for swimming and snorkeling.

There are many amenities at this beach which includes camping area, changing rooms, bathrooms and life guards.

There are several night clubs, bars and lounges in the capital city of San Juan. Some of the places to visit include La Factoria, La Cubanita, Club Brava and Club 77.

La Placita de Santurce is a popular nightlife spot to meet locals to eat, relax and salsa dance in Puerto Rico.

7. Grand Cayman

Grand Cayman is the largest of the group of islands called the Cayman Islands. The other islands that form part of this group are Cayman Brac and Little Cayman.

The best place for luxury shopping is the capital city of Georgetown. Bayshore Mall as well as Camana Bay are two of the best locations to visit for luxury shopping.

Retail operations that you can check out at Camana Bay include Pandora, NKY Collections and Sand Angels.

Camana Bay located near the famous Seven Mile Beach and is a perfect place to find souvenirs.

There is a variety of clothing stores, jewelery stores, vegan food eateries and more.

Kirk Freeport situated in Bayshore Mall is also an exceptional location to visit for high end shopping.

Brands such as Cartier, Rolex and Swarovski are all present at this location.

Grand Cayman is an excellent location to visit for white sand beaches and exotic cuisine.

Seven Mile Beach which is a six mile stretch of white sand which is amazing for snorkeling and swimming.

The national dish is green turtle stew which is legal to consume on the island. This is often served with sides such as rice, beans, plantains and salad.

8. Barbados

As the long standing tourism song of this destination states, there is never a dull moment in Barbados.

If you are interested in visiting the Southern Caribbean and one of your main travel aims is luxury shopping, Barbados is the ideal destination to consider.

Located in Holetown, The Limegrove Lifestyle Centre is the place of luxury shopping in Barbados.

High end brands such as Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Cartier, Hugo Boss and Ralph Lauren have a retail presence at this location.

Barbados is also an extraordinary destination to explore for its white sand beaches and other attractions.

One of the most visited excursions in Barbados is Harrison Caves. This natural wonder allows persons to view inside the cave via trams where you can see stalactites and stalagmite formation.

Accra Beach and Brighton Beach are two amazing locations to visit if you are searching for white sand beaches near the capital city.

To experience more of the culture and cuisine on the island, visit Oistins on Friday for an event called Fish Friday.

At this event on the weekly entertainment calendar, vendors make a variety of dishes with fish as the principal ingredient.

Souvenirs are also sold as well as there is a live band providing musical entertainment.

9. Aruba

Our final suggestion is the Dutch Caribbean island of Aruba which is one of the most visited destinations in the region.

Aruba is loved for its location outside the hurricane belt, its white sand beaches and range of excursions available.

For luxury shoppers, Renaissance Mall is the place to visit for high end premium brands.

Cartier, Michael Kors, Adidas, Carolina Herrera and Tous all have a retail presence at this location.

Aruba is an exceptional vacation spot for persons who enjoy the outdoors, golfing and white sand beaches.

The island boasts of two amazing golf courses being course at The Tierra del Sol Resort & Golf while the other is at The Links At Divi Aruba.

The Tierra Del Sol Resort is a PGA approved course with 18 holes designed by Robert Trent Jones II.

Eagle Beach is the best beach on the island located in the heart of the capital city of Oranjestad.

One major advantage of choosing Aruba as a destination is the ease of the return travel back to the United States of America as there is US immigration and customs located on the island.

Frequently Asked Questions

Best Places To Buy A Watch In The Caribbean

St Maarten and the Bahamas are the best Caribbean islands to buy watches. Front Street in the capital city of Philipsburg is the best place to shop in St Maarten. Alternatively, John Bull is the luxury store to visit in the heart of Nassau for high end watches in the Bahamas.

What Is The Most Expensive Caribbean Island To Go To?

The most expensive Caribbean island to visit is the French overseas territory of St Barths. It is 8 square miles and the official currency used is the Euro. St Barths is an excellent island for visiting nearby Dutch Caribbean islands such as St Maarten, Saba and St Eustatius as well as shopping.

What Is The Shopping Capital of the Caribbean?

The shopping capital in the Caribbean is Charlotte Amalie in the US Virgin Island of St Thomas. Each visitor to St Thomas including children is allowed $1600 each of duty free purchases back into the USA. Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Little Switzerland and Bebe have a retail presence in St Thomas.

Which Caribbean Islands Are Not Worth Visiting?

Generally, the Caribbean islands are beautiful however the island to avoid is Haiti due to the level of political unrest. There are other islands with high crime rates and hence care due diligence should be exercised when visiting Jamaica, Trinidad & Tobago, Belize and Puerto Rico.

Final Thoughts: Best Caribbean Islands For Luxury Shopping

We trust that you found this information helpful as you plan your luxury shopping expedition to the Caribbean.

Remember if you are visiting the region during the hurricane season, to consider travel insurance in the event of travel delays and interruptions. This occurs from June to November annually.

For the best travel insurance to the Caribbean, we recommend World Nomad.

More Best Caribbean Guides:

Best Caribbean Islands To Visit For A Week

12 Best Caribbean Islands To Visit In The Summer

5 Best Caribbean Islands To Explore Without A Car

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