Nassau and Paradise Island Shopping

It’s hot and crowded, and most of the goods are mass-produced, but the famous Straw Market should be seen – once! Aim to find vendors who make their own crafts, and haggle to get the best deal; 9am-5pm.

Amazingly, only authentic Bahamian food and crafts are sold in these cruise-ship terminal shops that opened in 2005. Head here for woodcarving, sponges and locally made jewelry, plus straw bags by sought-after local designer Harl Taylor.

The high-end shopper need not venture downtown, when all the big names – Versace, Ferragamo, Cartier – are lined up next to the casino at Atlantis.

Everybody says they want the most authentic travel experience, but when straw bags and conch stew get old, head over to this Americanized outdoor mall, engineered to look perfectly quaint. The art is a tad expensive, but you can be assured that it’s the real thing, and not a mass-produced knockoff.

This local treat comes in a variety of flavors, but the original Bahamian rum cake, with its surprisingly alcoholic bite, remains the best.