Shopping in the Bahamas

The Commonwealth of the Bahamas is among those nations with an offshore financial system. This means that the modern Bahamas is on par with even Switzerland in terms of the number of banks. What's more, many areas have free trade status, making shopping in the Bahamas one of the best in the central Atlantic.

When taking a shopping tour of the Bahamas, don't forget to visit the small island of Paradise. It is considered the center of commerce in the country. The largest concentration of stores and exquisite boutiques is centered on Bay Street, which is located on the island of Nassau. Many famous fashion houses and global brands are located in the nearby Straw Market.

It is possible to bring a lot of things from the island nation without paying duty. Porcelain, cutlery, fabrics, Swiss watches, Scandinavian glass and silver, perfumes, cameras, straw crafts, shells and jewelry are among the top purchases.

Shops in the Bahamas are generally open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 3 to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Plan to visit most of them on weekday mornings, when they are least crowded.

To save even more money, you should ask when the Bahamas sale season starts. Typically, the Bahamas sale season starts at the same time as the U.S. discount season.