The Bahamas has some of the best shopping villages in the Caribbean. Handwoven straw crafts, Bahamian souvenirs and fresh food are all items you can find in the traditional open-air markets ran by locals on the island. Here’s our list of some of the best markets not to miss when you’re visiting the Bahamas.
The Bahamas National Trust (BNT) introduced a monthly “Da Market” event in 2011 which allows local farmers, vendors and artisans to showcase their wares one Saturday of every month. “Da Market” events take place in national parks across Grand Bahama and the Abacos, as well as in Nassau. Vendors offer a selection of produce, baked bread and sweets, seafood, savoury goodies like quiche and conch fritters and even locally made arts and crafts.
This indoor shopping area has over 45 stalls offering a variety of goods from local artisans. Here, you can find everything from bespoke straw bags and unique handmade quilts to one-off paintings and freshly made Bahamian delicacies, including pineapple tarts. Visitors here can also participate in land or water tours, allowing for an in-depth education on both the marketplace and the city of Nassau.
Festival Place, Woodes Rodgers Walk, Nassau, The Bahamas
Festival Place | © Bahamas Ministry of Tourism/Bill Schild
The Port Lucaya Marketplace is the largest shopping, dining and entertainment open-air facility in the Bahamas, with over 40 speciality stores and boutiques. There are also three watersports operators that offer a variety of tour options for visitors who want to adventure into the Bahamian waters. The Marketplace features over 120 handicrafts and straw vendors with the best selection of bags, hats and baskets, together with 16 restaurants and four bars, if you’ve worked up an appetite while shopping and need to rest and refuel.
Port Lucaya Marketplace, Sea Horse Rd, Freeport, The Bahamas, +1 242 373 8446
Bahamian bags at Port Lucaya | © Christopher Connell/Flickr