Anyone who loves to travel and explore, loves the texture, and aroma of local marketplaces. Regardless of whether you are out for shopping, or just want to experience the local life, you are sure to understand a destination better after exploring its marketplaces. Everything from fresh produce, jewelry, antiques, arts, and crafts to vegetables, a local market is a great way to explore the culture and authentic side of any destination. In this article, we have mentioned top 5 markets in Caribbean. Make sure to check these out of your list when you visit the Caribbean Islands.

Nassau Straw Market, Bahamas

Love colors and colorful crafts? This market is for you. Somewhere in the middle of high-end shops in Bahamas, you will find Nassau Straw Market. The market has a large variety of handmade colorful crafts, souvenirs and hand-woven straw hats. You may also find bags, mats, jewelry, and wood carvings, among others. You can purchase any product at great bargain prices.

Rio Piedras Market, Puerto Rico

This market can convert a sad day into a happy one. If you want a real ‘local’ experience, this is the place to be. This is where locals go to shop. Inside the market you will find a large variety of fresh fruits, vegetables, natural products, fish and herbs. You may also find Puerto Rican souvenirs and even lottery tickets.

Brown’s Town Market in Brown’s Town, Jamaica (near Runaway Bay)

Now, this is one market that can’t be ignored. Brown’s town is bustling during its market days i.e. Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday. You may find numerous products including meat, plants and flowers, fruits, vegetables, beverages, eggs and dairy products, among others. If you are an observer who loves to enjoy different cultures, you are sure to love this market. Apart from quality products, you are sure to find better deals, especially if you are good at negotiating.

Heritage Market opposite West Street Bus Station in St. Johns, Antigua

Fill your empty buckets with fresh fruits and vegetables. If you visited Antigua and haven’t seen this market, you have missed at least one good thing in life. If you are a night person, change your schedule for a day because Saturday mornings are perfect to explore Heritage Market. You will be amazed to see the crowd of local villagers at 5: 30 in the morning. Be ‘local,’ enjoy the culture, and explore the residential neighborhood markets in Antigua.

La Lagunilla Market, Mexico

La Lagunilla Market is a popular public market in Mexico City. It is among the largest markets in the city, which is divided in total three sections –

- Clothing

- Furniture

- Food

Although, the market is frequently visited by low income customers, its antique collection has attracted higher income customers from over the world. One of the popular names is Carlos Monsiváis.

In a nutshell, it is not wrong to say that virtually every popular area has a local market that helps visitors explore a destinaion and its culture. However, the above mentioned 5 markets are a must visit for anyone who is travelling to Caribbean. Be a global shopper because life is too short to live in a single county.