A spectacular gateway to the Caribbean, St. Thomas is among the most exciting and stunning US Virgin Islands to visit any time of the year. There are ample activities to enjoy here, from snorkeling and beach hopping to visiting museums and exploring the wild.
When it comes to shopping, there are numerous apparel, handicraft, and jewelry stores in St Thomas offering visitors a wide variety of exciting items to buy. You can buy souvenirs, cookbooks, and a range of other amazing things to remember your trip by.
The following are valuable details about shopping in this gorgeous place, making your trip highly convenient and enjoyable.
Duty-free shopping for US residents
The US Virgin Islands are included in US insular possession. If you arrive in St. Thomas from another part of these Islands, you are permitted a duty-free exemption of around $1600. But remember that whatever you buy under this exemption, a portion of it should've been bought within the Islands. For example, if you purchase about five liters of alcoholic beverages as part of your exemption, at least one of them must have been purchased in the insular region. It is permitted if you have bought the remaining four in other countries.
A critical thing to note about purchasing alcoholic beverages under the exemption allowance is that you must be at least twenty-one years old. Also, the product can be for your use or a gift pack, provided it does not violate your home state laws.
Popular shopping areas
As per 2020 estimates, the population of St. Thomas is close to over forty-two thousand, making up for a little more than forty-eight percent of the entire population of the US Virgin Islands. Despite these numbers, the area in and around St. Thomas is not crowded, allowing visitors enough space to move around comfortably. Invariably, tourists have an easier time navigating the region and finding cool shopping spots.
First-timers can check out downtown Charlotte Amalie, as it has the most significant number of stores, with its chief area being Dronningens Gade (also known as Main Street). There are boutique stores, souvenir shops, apparel sellers, and many other excellent options. You can buy imitation trinkets, fancy T-shirts, and local crafts at Vendor's Plaza. Paradise Point, Havensight, and Mountain Top are other fun areas to explore.
What St. Thomas is famous for
St. Thomas is the best place among all three US Virgin Islands if you plan to buy fancy traditional and upscale jewelry. You can find numerous reliable dealers selling eye-catching necklaces, stone-embedded pendants, and unique tennis bracelets. Inevitably, the stunning and famous jewelry stores in St. Thomas are an absolute must-visit for new and regular visitors alike.
Most people who travel to this island never leave without some diamond-studded jewelry, as the region is famous for its sparkling collection of precious stones. Reputed stores sell custom engagement and wedding rings, making the occasion a lot more special for the buyers. Many of them also offer practical finance options that enable you to buy gorgeous jewelry at incredible prices.
Furthermore, shoppers looking for something truly unique can opt for handcrafted silver and gold ornaments by skilled local artisans. Several metalsmiths in the area customize designs to suit buyers' individual preferences, ensuring they add one-of-a-kind pieces to their priceless collection.
What else to buy
Here are some other exceptional things you cannot leave this fantastic island without.
- Local handicrafts - Thomas is famous for its souvenir stores that sell a wide variety of handicraft items made from native materials such as coconut, calabash, and bamboo. You can buy vases, trinkets, mats, apparel, bowls, and even drums made using these substances.
- Shipwreck coins - Nearly everyone has heard of the fascinating pirate history of the US Virgin Islands. Naturally, one of the best and most unique things to buy in St. Thomas happens to be a nautical souvenir. So, besides looking at ancient sea chests, bottles, and weapons on display, you can head to the museum's gift store to purchase an authentic shipwreck coin.
- Sea-glass artwork - Local artists in St. Thomas have made a great name by creating stunning works of art using glass bottles that people throw into the sea. All items are unique, with popular options including ornaments, bowls, and craft pendants, among other things.
- Rum - One can never get tired of mentioning the exciting pirate history of St. Thomas and the incredible things it left behind. One such fantastic item is the locally made delicious rum. Distillers on the island follow traditional recipes passed down from one generation to the next.
Besides authentic diamond jewelry and the other items listed above, you can also buy leather sandals, moko jumbie dolls, Caribbean hot sauce, and cookbooks unique to St. Thomas.
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