What To Buy In Jamaica

what to buy in jamaica
Benjamin
Benjamin 
Updated
| 5 min read

The most precious jewel in the Caribbean, Jamaica is an island where colours are wondrous, bright, and delightful. With a unique culture shaped by its rich history, Jamaica is more than just a beautiful sight, and it welcomes you with warmth and exciting adventures. Here on the island of rhythm and sway, you can dance under the warm sun to reggae music with a glass of rum—sure to energise your spirit. You will surely have endless activities to keep yourself busy. If you’re interested in shopping and wondering about what to buy in Jamaica, this list will help you fulfill your shopping needs.

1. Blue Mountain coffee

Barrels of Jamaica Blue Mountain coffee beans
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Wade van laius used under CC0

Blue Mountain coffee is one of the world’s most expensive coffee, and reasonably so. Blue Mountain coffee is produced on the hillside of the tallest mountains in the Caribbean. Hence, the beans have to be handpicked and carefully cultivated, making them one of the rarest on earth. With its formidable taste, this coffee is definitely a must-buy. Every coffee bean is specially inspected and takes twice as long to mature compared to other coffee beans, so you can expect an exquisite mild taste with a notable lack of bitterness. Blue Mountain coffee makes the perfect souvenir if you wish to bring home and enjoy the flavours of Jamaica.

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2. Calabash wooden bowls

Gourds - communal serving with calabash bowls, spoons, stacked
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user T.K. Naliaka used under CC BY-SA 4.0

Calabash wooden bowls came from the calabash fruit, which is native to the Caribbean as well as North, South, and Central America. The round, oblong fruit with a thin firm shell creates the perfect material for making beautiful bowls. Calabash art is unique and special, and in Jamaica, artists take pride in designing smooth and artistic calabash wooden bowls for decoration or practical use. Calabash can also be used to make different products, such as utensils and even bags, and they are found in various craft shops all over the island.

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3. Jamaican oil paintings

Drawing, Landscape in Jamaica, West Indies, 1865
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Frederic Edwin Ch... used under PUBLIC DOMAIN

Jamaica is known not only for its fascinating sceneries but also for producing the most exquisite and beautiful oil paintings—thanks to talented and brilliant local artists. As one of the most beautiful islands in the Caribbean, Jamaica makes the perfect subject for oil paintings, which capture the true essence of its beauty. Bring home and frame a Jamaican oil painting to brighten up your house. More than just a photograph, an oil painting captures the emotions and unique perspective of the artist.

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4. Jamaican dolls

Rasta doll
Source: Pxfuel

Jamaican dolls are great souvenirs for your child—or even yourself if you enjoy doll collections. This special doll is dressed in the fashion of Jamaica and is an adorable representation of the Jamaican culture. It is usually soft and, hence, suitable for toddlers who love to hug dolls. There are even varieties that speak patois phrases, and they can be found in markets or handicraft shops around the island.

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5. Jamaican jerk spices

Jerk seasoning - 2012-12-20
Source: Photo by user Kristina D.C. Hoe... used under CC BY-SA 2.0

This sweet and spicy seasoning when infused into your chicken, pork, beef, or fish dishes creates the perfect marriage of flavour and meat. Jamaican jerk spices are suitable for dry rubbing, bringing your recipes to a whole new level of savoury. If you are looking to impress your friends with your cooking, include these amazing spices to your ingredients, and all your friends will want to know your secret.

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6. Jamaican cold-pressed coconut oil

Coconut oil
Source: Pixabay

Enrich your skin by moisturising with 100 percent natural Jamaican cold-pressed coconut oil, which silkens your skin with each touch. A great way to protect from sunburns, eczema, and stretch marks—and providing many other useful benefits for your skin—Jamaican cold-pressed coconut oil is definitely a must-buy. If you wish to prevent ageing, wrinkles, and even damaged hair, Jamaican cold-pressed coconut oil offers all-in-one protection and treatment, making it the perfect souvenir for you to pamper yourself with.

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7. Coconut wineglasses

Bijoux à base de coco
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Papischou used under CC BY-SA 4.0

Coconut wineglasses bring a fun twist that will brighten up the room as you sip your wine or cocktail. These uniquely crafted coconut wineglasses are fascinating, and they make adorable souvenirs—so you can enjoy your drink with a tropical flair even back home. As you take a sip from your coconut wineglass, it will bring you back to your time in Jamaica, when you were relaxing on the island’s beautiful beaches.

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8. Jamaican white rum

Wray & Nephew White Overproof Rum
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user ZeugeDerNacht used under CC BY-SA 4.0

Jamaican white rum has a rich and exciting history—after Christopher Colombus introduced it to Jamaica. Its vital ingredient is sugar, and Jamaicans are known to produce some of the world’s most excellent white rum. Full-bodied white rum is produced using traditional practices, dating back to the 17th century, to retain its original taste and ensure the best quality. This drink is made from natural fermentation, giving it a distinct flavour. As Jamaica is an ideal place for growing sugarcanes, Jamaican white rum is softer and sweeter than other rums, which makes it more palatable.

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9. Bob Marley memorabilia

Bob Marley memorabilia
Source: Pixabay

Bob Marley is the most significant musician from Jamaica, with his music resonating across the world, Bob Marley has become the epitome of Jamaica’s music scene. With his famous songs such as “Three Little Birds” and “Waiting in Vain,” he certainly has put reggae on the music map. A legendary icon for Jamaica, Bob Marley is one of the most famous faces throughout the island. Hence, when you acquire a memorabilia of Bob Marley from his home country, you also bring back home an iconic souvenir that represents the music of Jamaica.

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10. Jamaican beef patties

Jamaican patties and redstripe
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user ritcharnd moskow used under CC BY-SA 2.0

A traditional delicacy in Jamaica that is revered all around the Caribbean, the Jamaican beef pattie is truly a must-try. Savour the flaky and golden pastry, stuffed with juicy and perfectly seasoned minced beef, with a hint of turmeric to tie all the flavours together. This divine pastry is the perfect comfort food and will probably be your go-to meal while on the island.

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11. Wood carvings

Wood carvings in Naggar Castle - 2
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Pratishkhedekar used under CC BY-SA 4.0

For interior decorators and amateur ones as well, when you’re traveling to Jamaica, notice the stunning woodworks all around spaces. There’s a ton of wood carvings that come in the form of animal sculptures and interesting figurines varying in size. Jamaica harnesses great quality wood and even has Jamaican national wood consisting of mahogany and dogwood to name a few that are then carved into beautiful sculptures of famous icons, animals, rasta symbols, and many more pop culture symbols. This type of home decor is great for big houses and gardens for those who wish for a lovely little piece of Jamaica in their backyard.

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12. Blue Mountain coffee

Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee 9494
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Mariordo used under CC BY-SA 3.0

A great but pricey piece of souvenir you can purchase and also drink every morning is Blue Mountain Coffee. Dubbed as one of the most expensive brands of coffee in the world, Blue Mountain Coffee is an original blend and locally produced in Jamaica. Shipped to various parts of the world for its rich flavor and zero bitterness, it’s no wonder even caffeine-haters are also drinking coffee again. Blue Mountain Coffee hails from the Blue Mountain region in Jamaica, specifically in the area between Kingston and North of Port Antonio which makes it way to several coffee shops and cafes all over Jamaica; a Jamaican breakfast staple if you ask any local.

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Bring home a piece of Jamaica

Jamaica offers more than just beauty. It has deep roots and culture, which can be explored and experienced. Of course, it is a must that you acquire significant and meaningful souvenirs to remember your trip. Take home these local items and reminisce about the great moments you have made while on your adventures in Jamaica. From arts to coconut oils, indeed you are spoiled for choice.

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Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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Currently, a student in International Relations and have a passion for writing. Reading is my primary source for increasing my knowledge and travelling is a way to gain experience that will enhance...Read more

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