Editor’s Pick: Duty-Free Shopping in St. Lucia

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Photo by: Sarah Greaves-Gabbadon

It’s no secret that I’m a serious shopper, and when I travel I’m always on the hunt for something unique and local as a memento of the trip. Most times I’ll return with a funky piece of craft or some kind of handmade accessory – a wooden carving from a Tulum beachfront shack, for example, or a beaded necklace from a Tortola craft store, even cowboy boots from Cancun airport. In general my taste is eclectic and inexpensive, and I shop accordingly, staying far away from duty-free stores.

But then at the end of the summer I flew to St. Lucia to shoot the current episode of our show, Affordable Caribbean, and fell in love with this bold and beautiful bauble at the Colombian Emeralds store. The crew and I had only ducked in to shelter from a sudden rainstorm when I spied it in the display case, tried it on, and … well … the rest is history.

I love to bargain and ended up getting a great deal (savvy shoppers always ask for a discount, even in duty-free stores). While it was much more than I’ve ever spent on a souvenir, every time I look down at my hand I’m reminded of St. Lucia and the fun-filled week I spent there. And to me, that makes it worth every penny.