Dominica Shopping

The former slave trading market square (in-use until the practice was abolished in 1834) has been transformed into Dominica’s best shopping experience. In addition to coconuts, straw, and T-shirts, this is the best place to buy locally produced Bay Rum and Carib craft products. On Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturday mornings there is a lively vegetable market where local farmers sell their produce.

The difficult appliqué weaving process of Dominican vetiver-grass is the specialty of this store and design center in Rouseau, which ships their wares to major cities all over the world. Woven grass rugs range from small doormats to room size. For an easier carry there are woven bags, place mats, and dolls.

There’s no missing the Duty Free Emporium – it lies practically on the doorstop of the cruise ship port. It’s best for purchasing liquor and cigars sans tax, though they do have an assortment of high quality leather goods, camera supplies, books on Dominica, and a few fwije (tree fern) crafts.

Make your way here for some of the most unique crafts in the Caribbean. Utilizing the leaves of the Larouma plant, the tribe hand weaves everything from baskets, caps, hats, sifters, squeezers, mats, and finger traps into various styles, sizes, and designs. Although the crafts center is the main vendor, thatched roadside stands on the reservation also sell many of the same products.