Shopping

Today, Nassau's shopping options are more upscale than they have been in decades past. Swanky jewelers and a burgeoning fashion scene have appeared. There are still plenty of T-shirts claiming that "It's Better in The Bahamas," but you can also find platinum watches and diamond jewelry.

The range of goods is staggering; in the midst of all the junk souvenirs, you'll find an increasing array of china, crystal, watches, and clothing from such names as Bally, Herend, Lalique, Baccarat, and Ferragamo.

But can you really save money compared to what you would pay stateside? The answer is "yes" on some items, "no" on others. To figure out what's a bargain and what's not, you've got to know the price of everything back in your hometown, turning yourself into a sort of human price calculator.

Don't try to bargain with the salespeople in Nassau stores as you would do with merchants at the local market. The price marked is the price you must pay if you buy, though you won't be pressed to make a purchase. The salespeople here are courteous and helpful in most cases.

There are no import duties on 11 categories of luxury goods, including china, crystal, fine linens, jewelry, leather goods, photographic equipment, watches, and fragrances. Antiques, of course, are exempt from import duty worldwide. But even though prices are "duty-free," you can still end up spending more on an item in The Bahamas than you would back home; it's a tricky situation.

If you're contemplating a major purchase, such as a good Swiss watch or expensive perfume, it's best to do some research in your local discount outlets or online before making a serious purchase in The Bahamas. While the alleged 30% to 50% discount off stateside prices might apply in some cases, it's not true in others. Certain cameras and electronic equipment, we have discovered, are listed in The Bahamas at, say, 20% or more below the manufacturer's "suggested retail price." That sounds good, except the manufacturer's suggested price might be a lot higher than what you'd actually pay, so this tricky wording might mean that you're not getting the discount you think you are. Some shoppers even take along department-store catalogs from the U.S. or print out online buying guides to determine if they are indeed getting a bargain; it's not a bad idea.

A lot of price-fixing seems to be going on in Nassau. For example, a bottle of Chanel perfume is likely to sell for pretty much the same price anywhere, regardless of the store.

How much you can take home depends on your country of origin.

The principal shopping areas are Bay Street and its side streets downtown, as well as the shops in the arcades of hotels. Not many street numbers are used along Bay Street; just look for store signs.

Cigars

Remember, U.S. citizens are prohibited from bringing Cuban cigars back home because of the trade embargo. If you buy them, enjoy them in The Bahamas.

Markets

The Nassau International Bazaar consists of some 30 shops selling international goods in a new arcade. A pleasant place for browsing, the million dollar complex sells goods from around the globe. The bazaar runs from Bay Street down to the waterfront (near Prince George Wharf). With cobbled alleyways and garreted storefronts, it looks like a European village.

Prince George Plaza, on Bay Street, is popular with cruise-ship passengers. Many fine shops (Gucci, for example) occupy space here. When you get tired of shopping, dine at the open-air rooftop restaurant that overlooks Bay Street.

Perfumes & Cosmetics

Nassau has several good perfume outlets, notably John Bull and Little Switzerland, which also stock a lot of non-perfume merchandise.