What To Buy In Antigua

1. Antiguan pottery

Our first proposal to begin this souvenir index is Antiguan pottery and ceramic ware. Collecting a variety of cultural terra cotta and stoneware is a common hobby among people, it reminds them of a foreign land that they have visited. Plus, when the thing itself has utility value, why not buy one? Antigua is an excellent place to purchase a pottery memento. In contrast with other societies, Antiguans are very generous with the use of color. The outcome is a sparkling paint saturation on every pot. Buy a tea set or clay-made relics, and if you can find the time, it’s a good idea to pay a visit to the pottery studios.

2. Susie's hot sauce

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

It still sounds phony that Antigua’s tiny business enterprise went international, but it is totally real. We are speaking about the beloved original hot sauce from Susie’s store. It started with just one type, and Susie now delivers over five varieties of hot sauce and fruit sauces worldwide. The fusion of different cultures brought spiciness in cuisine to these tropical islands, which is now the essence of life for its inhabitants. Susie developed this sauce about 50 years ago after a lot of trial and error methods; and when she finally reached this secret combination, it instantly became a hit. Buy this sauce if your taste buds forever crave for Tex-Mex food, but be advised as the Scoville Heat Units (SHU) of this chutney could reach up to 50,000 marks.

3. Antiguan linen

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

You probably do not know this fact that linen fabric was once utilized as money form in ancient Egypt, and the pieces of this fabric were also found in the excavation sites in Qumran Caves, Israel. It looks and feels like regular cotton but due to its exceptional light quality, linen is loved the most in almost every tropical state. The Caribbeans also wear linen on a regular basis as it is ideal for their climate. You should also purchase Antiguan linen clothing while you’re there because authenticity shall be guaranteed. But why stop at just clothing, you can also purchase the genuine linen beddings.

4. Wood-carved masks

No one should miss the wooden masks in Antiguan markets, and to be very fair, this thing is already hard to get unnoticed. Tourists, especially the westerners, usually prefer masks as their Carribean memento. This country shares some characteristics with the Polynesian culture; both of the societies celebrate annual carnivals, which is incomplete without masks. So if you’re a fan of such festival events, you should definitely buy a carved mask. If you do not know where to get one, Chichicastenango Market sells these kinds of handicrafts. Purchase different types, and your children can use them as a prop during their plays. But if you don’t have small kids at home, a wall-mounted mask would also look excellent.

5. Mayan handmade handbags

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

These handbags are colorful, durable, and good looking; and if there is anything closer to the Mayan handbags in the world, it’s either Indian or the middle-eastern bohemian handbags. Check out the Mayan crafted handbag range in Antigua, as this is the popular ladies’ souvenir in this country. You can also find such bags in online shopping sites nowadays, but they are seldom genuine. A lady would approve of her handbag only after a real inspection, which is unavailable with internet shopping. And being in Antigua, this is your real chance to have one genuine item.

6. Antiguan straw work

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

The Caribbean people are just too involved in the handicraft work, which is an admirable and worthy piece of art. The previous entry was more useful for the ladies, so now we would like to offer you something that will be suitable for both genders. It’s the signature straw work of the Antigua island and you can purchase straw woven tote bags, baskets, hats, and even straw sombreros. Go plastic free, Antigua will present you straw work in everyday use object.

7. Caribbean arts and crafts

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Straw work, handbags, wood carving, and pottery, almost all the prime souvenirs have been listed. But you can understand that the Caribbean doesn’t have just these four items, that is why we’re allotting this heading for every miscellaneous art and craft form. Buy anything that can deliver you the memories of this island, like toys, portraits, cheap jewelry, home décor items, etc. It’s not at all difficult, we’re sure that you wouldn’t stop with one item as such items are sold dirt cheap here.

8. Antiguan rum

This could be a subjective choice, but we have also reserved something if you’re a boozer. It is a proposal to buy the genuine Antiguan rum due to the fact that the liquor market is stuffed with too many unauthentic names. Carribean rum is known to have been made for generations. It was exported to the United States in the early 1700s and this rum is also linked with the pirate stories. Today, there aren’t many breweries left that make authentic Antiguan rum, thus get some bottles while you’re still there. At least, you will be having the real bottles when you know, you got them from their homeland.

9. Shell curios

When we look at any archipelago culture, the seashell, conch, and cowries are commonly seen as the form of a jewelry item. The Caribbean is also not an exception, it is in fact known for the most precious kind of curio shells. Just visit any souvenir shop in Antigua and you will see mirror polished shells, keychains made of the seashells, bracelets, and so on. They are super cheap, so purchase bulk quantities for family and friends or shop just for putting them in your aquariums.

10. Lavender jade

Lavender-colored jade stone is believed to have the healing properties, as it is linked with the popular legend that this stone is carried by the angels. Probably you have seen this gem in spa houses as well. Antigua has mine pits of this colorful jade, and it’s a great opportunity to buy this valuable item when you’re here. Since it’s a local gemstone, the price range isn’t very high. You can buy this Jade in a beaded necklace, earrings, and pendant. Upon spending some extra amount, you can have a sculpture carved on this gem. There cannot be a prettier souvenir than a carved jade sculpture.

The best shopping streets in Antigua

St. John’s is the capital city of this island, so it is easy to guess that this city has the best shopping areas. If you want to go shopping, just move to the following areas - Woods Mall, Heritage Market, Redcliff Quay, Vendors Mall, Cruise Ship Dock, and The Heritage Quay Shopping Center. Out of the above, the Vendors Mall located at St. Mary’s Street is the renowned souvenir market.