How to Shop in St. Vincent

A view of volcanic St Vincent from the shores of St Lucia.

St. Vincent, a volcanic island in the Caribbean, is not a shopping Mecca just yet, but there are some nice treasures to be found. Artists and craftsmen abound. The capital city of Kingstown is laid out in 12 blocks so that you can easily walk the city and browse the market and shops.

Things You'll Need

• Comfortable pair of walking shoes
• Sunscreen
• Hat or visor
• Sunglasses
• Money and credit card

Instructions

How to Shop in St Vincent

1. 

   Don your sunscreen, walking shoes, shades and a hat or visor and set out with some cash on hand. Yes, many shops will accept credit cards, particularly those on hotel properties, but if you find something from a street vendor or small craft shop, they may strike you a better bargain for cash and save themselves the credit card fees.

2. 

   Head to the capital city of Kingstown in the southwestern part of the island. The brightly colored market square on the corner of Bay and Bedford streets is an excellent place to start for souvenirs such as T-shirts and local handicrafts such as wood carvings. Always counter-offer the vendor’s price. They rarely expect you to pay the first price they offer.

3. Continue walking through the streets of Kingstown and browse the local shops. Pick up a few Cuban cigars for your vacation enjoyment and buy a nice piece of locally made jewelry.

4. Shops range from simple to elegant, offering gold and silver jewelry, books, watches, cameras, cotton clothing and batik designs. For the more sophisticated shopper, you can find some good deals on crystal and bone china.

5. 

   Peruse locally created arts and crafts at the Artisans Craft Shop and The Bounty Restaurant and Art Gallery on Egmont Street.

6. Take transportation to the area known as Villa, where you can enjoy lunch at one of the many restaurants or bars (taxi from Kingstown to Villa Hotel is $15-$20 ECD)

7. 

   Don’t miss a peek into Basil’s, an antique and furniture store in an old colonial building that offers a collection of home furnishings and accessories from all over the globe.

8. Business hours vary from store to store, but they are typically open from 8 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. during the week. Most stores are only open on Saturday morning.

Tips & Warnings

• Always be cautious when walking the streets of a foreign city. Leave some money and passport in the hotel safe. Keep a copy of your passport in your wallet or suitcase in the event the original is stolen. Try not to wear very expensive jewelry as this serves as a target to potential thieves. Do not carry a purse; use a money belt or fanny pack.