Summary
Here are the best picks for authentic Caribbean-related gifts to brighten any holiday or occasion — or just to bring home rather than that same old t-shirt or gift-shop shot glass!
Adopt a Turtle
Want to make someone feel good at the holidays while also contributing to a noble cause? Adopt an endangered sea turtle on behalf of someone you cherish. The Caribbean Conservation & Sea Turtle Survival League, a nonprofit group dedicated to saving turtles across the Caribbean, provides an adoption certificate, a logo decal, a sea-turtle magnet, a Sea Turtle Conservation Guide, and a one-year newsletter subscription for a donation of $25 or more.
Angostura Bitters from Trinidad
Angostura bitters — a unique blend of herbs and spices celebrated for its use in cocktails and as a remedy for a range of ailments — is produced in Trinidad by the House of Angostura, which also crafts local rums. The Manhattan, a delicious cocktail featuring bitters, whiskey, and sweet vermouth, is one of the most renowned drinks utilizing Angostura bitters. A compact bottle of bitters is easy to pack and makes for a fantastic holiday gift from the islands.
Batik from St. Kitts or Andros
The Caribelle Batik Factory on St. Kitts, situated in a historic sugar plantation, features an array of vibrantly dyed fabrics and clothing, including sarongs, dresses, and home décor items. Prices are reasonable as well, allowing you to bring home a distinctive gift without overspending. If visiting the factory isn’t possible, there’s a nice retail store in Basseterre, the Kittsian capital.
Androsia offers batik fabrics and clothing on the island of Andros in the Bahamas. This manufacturer provides a comprehensive selection of batik clothing for women, men, and children, as well as accessories, home goods, and fabrics sold by the yard for those who enjoy quilting.
Caribbean Rum
Besides the sunshine, the Caribbean’s most renowned export is rum, a liquor derived from molasses, which is a byproduct of sugarcane cultivation. This alluring spirit remains the most favored souvenir for travelers visiting the Caribbean. Rum shops across the islands make the gift of rum an authentic taste of Caribbean culture. Many distilleries welcome visitors: in Barbados, indulge in a bottle of Mount Gay Rum, first distilled in 1703, or try the distinguished St. Nicholas Abbey Rum. If you find yourself in Bermuda, don’t forget to grab Gosling’s Rum to create a Dark n’ Stormy. Puerto Rico is famous for Bacardi, known for its light rums, while local rums can be discovered on nearly every Caribbean island.
Guavaberry From St. Maarten
The Guavaberry shop in Philipsburg, St. Maarten serves as one of the island’s premier tourist destinations and the best spot to find St. Maarten’s folk liqueur, crafted from a rare, bitter local berry. Alongside the renowned rum infused with guavaberries, the shop offers guavaberry honey, spicy hot sauces, and a variety of other products.
Curacao Liqueur
Curacao liqueur, made from the peels of the laraha fruit grown on Curacao (a type of bitter orange), is best known for its vibrant colors in drinks such as the Blue Hawaiian and many blue margaritas available at bars. While the blue variant is the most popular, the liquor is initially colorless when distilled, and you can find Curacao in various colors including green, red, clear, orange, or even flavored options like coffee, chocolate, or rum raisin.
Island Charms Jewelry
If there’s a Caribbean island dear to your heart, Island Charms features unique jewelry designed in the shape of islands such as Anguilla, Antigua, Aruba, Grand Cayman, St. Croix, St. Martin, and St. Thomas. Crafted from sterling silver or 14k gold, each island charm is embellished with Swarovski crystals denoting the locations of capitals or significant attractions. They can be worn individually or as necklaces, and for something different, consider exploring the top Caribbean islands for duty-free jewelry shopping opportunities.
Guava Cheese
Interestingly, guava cheese doesn’t actually contain any cheese; rather, it’s a whimsical term for a genuine treat found in Caribbean islands such as Trinidad and Nevis, made from fresh guava and cane sugar, often enhanced with flavorings like cinnamon or lime juice.
Model Ships From Bequia
On the charming island of Bequia, part of the Grenadines and just a ferry ride from St. Vincent, there exists a rich tradition of crafting miniature model boats. These exquisite pieces, sculpted from local gum trees, make for a fantastic and potentially pricey gift for any sailor or boating enthusiast in your life. Prices typically range from about $130 to a remarkable $8,000, and these models are created by local artisans like Sargeant Brothers and Mauvin’s Model Boat Shop, both located on Front Street in Port Elizabeth, and can be conveniently shipped home via DHL.
St. Croix Cookbook
The St. Croix Food and Wine Experience book not only offers a collection of recipes from renowned chefs but also serves as a keepsake and colorful guide to St. Croix. Featuring over 70 recipes, chef profiles, and cultural insights on the island, along with a guide to experiencing wine in the tropics, it showcases the work of celebrity chefs including Govind Armstrong, Anita Lo, Tim Love, Kevin Rathbun, Liza Shaw, Ana Sortun, Roberto Trevino, and many other talented local chefs. The stunning photography, shot by Ted Davis, only elevates its appeal.
Spices from Grenada
Grenada is aptly nicknamed The Spice Island and is celebrated for its extensive production of spices including ginger, nutmeg, clove, and cinnamon. Travelers can purchase fresh, aromatic spices to enjoy at home at various markets in Grenada’s capital, St. George’s, at Grand Anse beach near the cruise port, and at numerous souvenir shops throughout the island.
St. Croix Hook Bracelet
People from St. Croix easily identify each other through a distinctive piece of jewelry known as the St. Croix Hook Bracelet. These bracelets symbolically link “hookers” back to their homeland, but you don’t need to be from St. Croix to appreciate the craftsmanship. Sonja Ltd. has been designing and selling these bracelets in Christensted for decades.
Tortuga Rum Cake
While you may have seen these renowned rum cakes in supermarkets around the holiday season, you can acquire the freshest offerings directly from the Tortuga Rum Co. Ltd. shops located in Key West, Florida, and George Town, Grand Cayman. This company also offers Tortuga Light and Gold rums along with other rum-infused delights.
