Calling all bargain hunters! Have we got a deal for you!

Shopping in the Bahamas can be a world-class adventure if you have a little money to spend and want to get the most for it. In 1992, the government abolished all import duties on perfumes, crystal, leather goods, jewelry, fine linens, clocks, photographic equipment, china, binoculars, and telescopes. In the Bahamas, products in these categories generally cost up to 25-50% less than they do in the United States. So it’s easy to see why visitors usually return with more than just great tans. The money you’ll save might even pay for your trip!

Most people wouldn’t think to look for a leather jacket in a country where the average year-round temperature is around 80 degrees. But in the Bahamas, not only will you find lots of leather jackets, you’ll find incredible bargains on them, along with terrific deals on an assortment of astonishingly cheap duty-free luxury items from all over the world. Shopkeepers expect you to bargain, so bring your dickering skills along! To find the best bargains, look for shops that post a pink flamingo decal on their windows. The flamingo lets you know that all their brands are authentic and the shop has met strict government guidelines for sales to tourists.

The two largest and most popular shopping areas in the islands are the International Bazaar and the Port Lucaya Marketplace, both on Grand Bahama Island. The International Bazaar, a 10-acre multinational-themed shopping center in Freeport, was designed in 1967 by a motion picture special effects expert from California. The Bazaar is divided into sections that represent different parts of the world, each with its own collection of shops, restaurants, and snack stores. Many of the shops offer special deals on items imported from the region they represent, such as fine Italian leather and French perfume. You can even create, bottle, and name your own fragrance!

Quaint cobblestone paths lead visitors through colorful archways to seek out designer clothes, Rolex watches, and premium cigars, as well as local products such as handmade Androsia batik-printed silk and cotton, wooden carvings, and shell jewelry. Keep in mind, though, that in many countries it is illegal to import items made from turtle shell, so you should check with your local customs office for import conditions and restrictions before buying any items made from native flora or fauna.

The picturesque Port Lucaya Marketplace and Marina, located across from the beach in Lucaya, is home to a 6-acre complex of shops, restaurants, and bars. You can spend the afternoon in amazement at the low duty-free prices on elegant emerald and gold jewelry, crystal, porcelain, and liquors, or search for the perfect vacation outfit at a wide variety of fun-in-the-sun fashion boutiques. If you want a truly Bahamian souvenir, you can find great bargains on local artisan’s weavings, jewelry, handmade crafts, or native straw work. In fact, the Bahamas’ Arts & Crafts Straw Market at the Port Lucaya Marketplace is one of the largest in the Caribbean. Straw market vendors are major contributors to the tourism industry in the Bahamas, and there are over 250 straw vendor stalls in Freeport/Lucaya. Most are located at the International Bazaar and the Port Lucaya Marketplace, but there are other stalls at the Garden of the Groves, Taino Beach, Princess Country Club, and Freeport Harbour.

As you can see, a day spent shopping in the Bahamas can be just as thrilling as a day spent on the beach. So come on down and visit for the sun, sand, and surf—but once you discover the great deals, you just might find yourself coming back for the shopping!