The only one I have been to is called the Pallace. (If I remember right....)

I personally enjoyed the crafts of the local people selling their stuff in their own huts.

If I remember right, the Pallace wasn't anything like that....

I didn't find the shopping in Ocho Rios to be all that exciting, to be perfectly honest.

Thank you Marley04 for your reply back on the shopping.

there is a shopping centre in ocho rios, didnt find it that bad. In the market you will get hassled by the the traders. just say no thanks or if you with a guide they wont hassle you as much.

You could also go to browns town which is a local town not as many tourists. They have markets on a wed,fri and sat.

Thanks for the information.

Also I have seen on a few website that there are shops within the hotel... what sort of shops are located in the hotel?

Just be careful, I found the locals when you shop VERY AGGRESIVE and very much a turn off. We stayed @ SGOR and they did offer @ the tour desk a shopping trip to the local markets. Be safe and Have a great time:)

Our shopping tour included three stops. The first was the Taj Majal. The second was Island Village. And the third was a small sandy area with locals selling wares out of temporary shacks.

The first two stops were in Ochi and only a block or two from each other. The third stop is within walking distance from SGOR.

The stores at the first stop included only jewelry stores and souvenir shops. My camera was stolen in one of the jewelry stores. They will ask you to try things on. Do not put anything down. It seemed calculated.

Island Village offered more unique stores - including Sol. I had never seen those stores, before, and found unique gifts there.

The final stop offered crafts that were being produced right in front of us. This was more up my alley, and I probably would have been willing to purchase something here had I not been previously relieved of my $500 digital camera.

We went shopping to those places I believe have been mentioned already, they are right outside the Sunset Jamaica Grande. Its also right outside the cruise ship port. I got some coffee and 2 shirts and that was enough for me. I don't enjoy that type of shopping. Honestly, the huts/booths right next to the Riu was where I bought the most. You could negoiate better, plus you know the money goes to the people there. They had pretty much everything and weren't annoying pushy. Also, at the Riu, some nights they have vendors there, quite a few of them with a lot of nice stuff. We didn't get anything but I don't normally buy much anyway.

Thanks everyone who has emailed back on the topic.

Just a quick one i know some of you have mentioned they sometimes have little venders at the Riu... Do you kinow if they like spray paint a pictures in front of you for you to then buy them? Me and my Family went to Mexico last year and they had Venders there like once a week and sold jewlery etc, made braclet with your names on and then there was a man that painted pictures (I'm sure it was with Spray Paints) anyway they were extremely good... and unfortuntely i didn't manage to get one so this year i would be so delighted if they do them at the Riu.

Thanks

Lisa xx

I don't reacall seeing any portraits painters at the hotel. I would email the hotel and ask them.

Just wanted to add that when I took a Dunn's River Tour from negril to Ochi in June. We were given an oppty to shop in the Palace 1 and 2. What a waste!... It seems these tour companies are commissioned to bring us to these stores not owned by Jamaicans. For others who have seen this..you know what I mean. When I tried to purchase a mixed cd of current jamaican music artists...they tried to sell it for $20. Ridiculous.

I recommend...the locals may be a bit pushy, but you can bargain w/ them and if you don't want it, just simply say no. Just consider, at least you are supporting the jamaican people.