Although most international chains are banned in the British Virgin Islands, one exception to the rule is Little Switzerland, whose luxury watches and jewelry are especially popular among Caribbean shoppers. However, the real shopping paradise in the British Virgin Islands is Road Town’s Wickham’s Cay. Most boutiques on Main Street are brightly painted and housed within tiny traditional West Indian homes.
None of Road Town’s shops may stand out more than Serendipity Bookshop, where visitors can surf the internet at the café upstairs or browse through the extensive Caribbean cookbook and history selection downstairs. Road Town visitors should also stop at Kaunda’s for authentic Caribbean music, Latitude 18 for beachwear, Sunny Caribbee for locally made spices, and Samarkand for handmade jewelry.
Alcohol is cheap, easily found, and not taxed on the British Virgin Islands. Beer, wine, and rum can all be purchased at local supermarkets, but Road Town’s Tico shop offers the largest selection of specialty rums on the islands which make a great gift. Road Town is also filled with small bakeries where visitors can sample freshly baked coconut bread, roti, and Johnny cakes.
Trellis Bay, close to Terrence B. Lettsome International Airport, offers the widest selection of British Virgin Islands shops outside of Road Town. There are also a handful of gift stores on Virgin Gorda, Jost Van Dyke, and Anegada to pickup last minute souvenirs. Trellis Bay and Virgin Gorda each have well-stocked supermarkets if you forgot any necessities.
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