Expect the unexpected as you shop around the islands.

By Sarah Muñoz

Ready for some retail therapy? The BVI is a little-known haven for one-of-a-kind finds, duty-free bargains and rare gifts that reflect the spirit of the islands. The influence of art and culture is everywhere. Yes, you can get a nice array of T-shirts to take home, but there are also unique and affordable handcrafts created by the large number of artists — native or "transplanted" —- who call the islands home. You will find paintings, pottery, metal sculptures, wooden carvings, custom-made jewellery, and other original pieces.

Other local buys include native spices and seasonings to add some tropical flavour to dishes back home (vanilla, black pepper, nutmeg or even tropical fruit sauces and sweets), a bottle of smooth Caribbean rum or island batiks to show off during the summer. As you island hop-and-shop, remember to keep an eye out for those true BVI finds that will make your memories all the more special.

Tortola

One of the most popular places to indulge in the rich culture of the islands is in the colourful Crafts Alive village in Wickham's Cay, where artists sell their work. Expect to find hand-woven straw pieces, Afro-Caribbean dolls, hats, wooden sculptures, and other traditional pieces. Visit Colombian Emeralds for a fine array of high-end jewellery and Caribbean Essence for a distinctive line of cosmetics and products made from natural ingredients.

Famed local artist Aragorn Dick-Read has Aragorn's Local Arts & Crafts Centre, which has artists' handicrafts on display, including many created on-site. There are many other artists around the islands that showcase a great mix of watercolours, acrylics, illustrations, and graphics with topics ranging from Caribbean scenery to lifestyle art.

In scenic Main Street in Road Town, many shops are adorned with the signature red roof and colourful cookie-house trim that make your shopping excursion all the more charming. Here you will find a wealth of buys to suit your every whim, from sundresses to beautiful jewellery.

You must get some true Caribbean music — in the form of fungi, a type of scratch band music, or other regional sounds such as reggae and steel band music — at Kaunda's Kysy Tropix. There's also the Sunny Caribbee Spice Company & Art Gallery, which features local spices, body care products and a variety of Caribbean paintings and crafts, from hand-carved wooden dolphins to mermaid metal sculptures. At Little Denmark, cigar enthusiasts can indulge in a wide array of cigars, including Cohiba, Montecristo and H. Upmann. The store also features a variety of gift items, freshwater pearls and fishing and snorkelling equipment.

At Nanny Cay Marina, you will find several restaurants and shops to suit your fancy. These include Bamboushay, which has beautiful original pottery, baskets, paintings and cards; Arawak Boutique & Gift Shop, with a wide variety of tropical clothing and sarongs, jewellery and other gifts; and the V & S Sewing Centre, with T-shirts and an assortment of souvenirs.

At Pusser's Landing in Soper's Hole Wharf & Marina, you can purchase a bottle (or two) of the famous Pusser's Rum, served by Great Britain's Royal Navy for 300 years. There's also BVI Apparel for shirts, caps and assorted regatta wear; Zenaida for batik and hand-painted sarongs and ethnic jewellery; Caribbean Jewellers for a unique selection of jewellery, sunken treasure coins and charms; and other stores and restaurants.

Virgin Gorda

At Virgin Gorda Yacht Harbour in Spanish Town, you will find a number of stores selling souvenirs, fine crafts, fragrances, and tasty treats. There is also a dive shop for those looking to spend some time under the sea. Stop by Thee Artistic Gallery in Spanish Town for a wide selection of local artwork, unique gifts and tanzanite and opal jewellery.

You can also stock up on "vacation necessities" such as flip-flops and caps at The Bitter End Yacht Club — and find a nice present for those you left back home — or stop by the Palm Tree Gallery at Leverick Bay Resort for nice local ceramics, jewellery and other gifts.

Jost Van Dyke

Although a trip to Foxy's Bar in Great Harbour is something you will never forget, you will want to buy a memento or two at the Foxhole. Find the perfect shirt, cap or bottle of Foxy's rum. At the Soggy Dollar Boutique in White Bay — adjacent to the popular Soggy Dollar Bar — you can also indulge in some island souvenirs such as beachwear and other gifts.

Anegada

At the Anegada Reef Hotel, you'll find the charming Sue's Boutique, which carries a full line of pretty outfits, local crafts, island spices, and gifts to take to your loved ones.

Best BVI Buy: Fresh Produce

Shopping for local fruits and vegetables in the BVI is a feast for the senses and a lovely experience that stays with you long after you've returned home. Be sure to make strolling along a Caribbean market and enjoying the sight of Mother Nature's provisions a part of your vacation. Many Caribbean fruits are usually best savoured raw — and you might be tempted to savour them on the spot after washing them — others are even tastier when whipped into a delicious drink or ice cream. You can find locally grown produce at your nearest farmer's market (such as the one in Road Town on Saturdays or the Fruit Depot at Aragorn's Studio in Trellis Bay) or street kiosk. These are just a few of the local treats to discover:

Guava
An aromatic, warm-climate fruit that's usually sweet and is used to make juice, jelly and more. Not to be confused with guavaberry, the source of a popular liqueur.

Mango
This sweet and flavourful fruit (high in vitamins A, C and D) can be eaten raw, used in drinks or made into a savoury ice cream or chutney to accompany a main dish.

Papaya
Perfect for shakes, with meat and seafood, or au naturel, the papaya is big and pear-shaped on the outside and very juicy on the inside.

Tamarind
A brownish and fuzzy pod-like fruit with a sweet and sour pulp that can be eaten straight from the shell or made into a drink or sauce.

Soursop (guanabana)
A sweet fruit whose taste is much better than its outside look (green and covered with spikes). Its creamy white interior is delicious, ideal for sherbets and beverages.

Sugar Apple
Also referred to as custard apple or sweetsop, this egg-shaped fruit is sweet and eaten like an orange, divided into sections.

Some of the most popular drinks to try in the BVI?
The Mabi (or mavi), a refreshing drink — similar to a cider — made from the fermented bark of the Mabi tree; and limeade, a chilled beverage made with sweetened lime juice and carbonated water.

There are many more stores throughout the islands in which to shop to your heart's content. Wherever you go, you're sure to find something that will make for a lifetime of BVI memories: some fun, some sentimental, all unforgettable.

Take me shopping in the British Virgin Islands.

Need to rent a car in the BVI? Hop a plane for an inter-island flight or catch a ferry? Here's help with schedules and reservations information.