Shop for duty-free goods, jewellery, beauty products, sunglasses, crystal, china and cashmere sweaters. Local handicrafts include rope and shell products, coral jewellery, pottery, woven goods, straw products, art and wood carvings. There are good handicraft shops in many major hotels and arts-and-crafts shops near the pier. Barbados produces some of the finest rum in the world, with Mount Gay being the best-known brand.

Broad Street is Bridgetown's main shopping street. Names to look for are Cave Shepherd, the island's largest department store, and DaCosta's Mall, with 25 shops including Little Switzerland, Colombian Emeralds, Harrisons and The Royal Shop. Art collectors should visit Verandah Gallery, overlooking Nelson's statue, which sells fine original paintings and sculpture. For books, check out Pages Bookstores, with outlets throughout the island, and The Cloister Bookstore, not far from the wharf area on Hincks Street. You can also find good crafts at the Best of Barbados shop on Broad Street (there are more of these stores around the island) and the Pelican Craft Centre on Princess Alice Highway.

Good places to shop elsewhere on the island: Walker's Caribbean World in St. Lawrence Gap, which has the island's largest selection of Caribbean arts and crafts; Irie Blue, for locally designed beachwear; Dingolay for more locally made fashions and Sandbox Designs for unique and original handpainted swimwear. Local batik artist John C. Mayer's colorful studio can be found on Bay Street, St. Michael Parish, and The Potter's House at Earthworks Pottery in St. Thomas Parish has an interesting selection of gifts. And don't forget the fish market in the fishing village of Oistins. It may be worth your while also to check out the interesting little shops in Sunset Crest, Chattel Village in Holetown and Chattel House Shopping Village in St. Lawrence Gap.

Chalky Mount, in St. Andrew Parish, is an area known for producing pottery on treadle-run wheels, and it's possible to visit the workshops of the potters. The town's main pottery shop is open daily 9 am-5 pm.

The local art scene has grown over the years and there are a number of galleries that are worth a look. Should you decide to purchase something, the gallery can usually arrange proper packing and shipping for you. Some of the best-known galleries are: Gallery of Caribbean Art, Speightstown (phone 246-419-0858); Mango's Fine Art Gallery, Speightstown (phone 246-422-0704); and Kirby Art Gallery, The Courtyard, Hastings, Christ Church Parish (phone 246-430-3032).

Be sure to get some local music while you're on the island - from steel pan to soca and calypso, Barbados has a wealth of musical talent. Recommended CDs: anything by The Merrymen for a bit of nostalgia, The Banks Soundtech Steel Orchestra or just ask in the music stores for their suggestions.

Don't expect to bargain in stores. Save your bargaining skills for the Rastafarian street market in Temple Yard (Bridgetown) or for the strolling beach vendors. Be aware that Barbados has a nonrefundable value-added tax (VAT) that runs around 15% on most items, excluding duty-free goods.