Shopping?

[4evercruzin]

Is shopping recommended here? Are there any must haves from this island? Thx in advance.

Barb

[ABQrobin]

Yes, Mayan carved wooden masks, sold everywhere. Also the coffee is fantastic, rum cakes, etc.

[IslandGallery]

It really depends what you want. If you want ACTUAL island stuff, that's one thing, as opposed to the items that are typically pushed at cruise shippers that actually have nothing to do with Roatan.

 

There are a number of gift shops that people think are "local" artisan gifts when really these are all made in Guatemala, they are run by Guatemalans and the stuff has nothing to do with island culture or art/craft. Similarly there are things sold that are not ALLOWED to be sold and are a huge problem for our conservation efforts- such things NOT to buy would be conch shells, dried sea horses, sea fans, etc.

 

There are, however, lots of fantastic things to take a look at that ARE related to the island and fun to buy. There is coffee and chocolate made here, there are lots of great mediums of art- painting, sculpture, photography, etc.

 

West End is the best place for taking a stroll down the street and popping into some shops. West End's art district is made up of three good stops- an all inclusive art gallery that has lots of great small gifts, different mediums of art like paintings, etc. They also sell locally made soaps, jewelry and pottery, a photography & underwater photography gallery showcasing a local pro photographer, and then a place that makes cool arts and crafts from recycled metal- christmas ornaments, signs, mobiles, very cool stuff. West End also has some Guatemalan gift shops which have cool stuff, just not from here (Mayan Masks, weavings, etc.). Some of the gift shops carry things made locally from coconuts, etc.