There are 100 duty-free stores in Jamaica with the best shopping to be found in the Montego Bay and Ocho Rios areas.US citizens have a $600.00 duty-free allowance per person. Following are some of the special items to consider bringing back from Jamaica:

  • Blue Mountain Coffee
  • Rum (including the famous Appleton Rum)
  • Liqueurs (such as Tia Maria)
  • Paintings
  • Woodwork
  • Straw goods (baskets and dolls)
  • Silk-screened t-shirts
  • Batik fabrics
  • Jamaican cigars
  • Pick-a-Peppa Sauce
  • Scotch Bonnet pepper sauce
  • Jerk seasonings
  • Jamaican jams and chutneys

In the Montego Bay area, most of the shops are found along Gloucester Avenue. In and around Montego, the the majority of the shopping opportunities are in the following places.

Montego Bay Area Shopping Centers
  • The Shops at Half-Moon Bay Resort(a good place to find Bob Marley souvenirs)
  • Holiday Village Shopping Center
  • City Center
  • Montego Freeport (near the pier)
Crafts Shopping
  • 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.
  • Crafts Market - In downtown Montego Bay, this market carries a wide variety of locally made goods where you can bargain on the price.
  • Things Jamaican - A store designed to encourage the development of Jamaican artwork and products. This is a great place to find artwork, sculptures, peppersauces, rum, clothing, and wood carvings.
Art Galleries
  • The Bay Gallery - Showcases the paintings and prints of local artists.
  • Budhai's Art Gallery - This is the place to find artwork of famed Jamaican painter Neville Budhai. He was co-founder of the art society and his artwork captures the essence of Jamaica.
  • Gallery of West Indian Art - Highlights Jamaican artists.
Ocho Rios Area Shopping Centers
  • Ocean Village
  • Coconut Grove
  • Pineapple Place
  • Taj Mahal (duty-free stores)
  • Island Plaza
  • Mutual Security Plaza

The main street of Ocho Rios has the highest concentration of restaurants and shops found in the resort city. Jamaican-made products have the best prices and make the best souvenirs.