The 6 Best Flea & Street Markets in Jamaica, Jamaica

Reviewed By OneloveLily

I was staying at Moon Palace Jamaica in Ocho Rios where I met a very kind lady who was selling accessories at the hotel for an event. She told me that she has also a shop at the craft market a few minutes walk outside of the resort. She explained she also braids hair and would love for us to visit her during our stay in Jamaica. She gave us her phone number and her store number. So, although many people in the reviews said not to go outside of the resort, we ventured to the market the next day and it was one of the best parts of our trip. There we first looked around. The first few shops were not too pushy for they get easier business. After that, each shopkeeper asked us to come into their shop to see their wares. They are, of course, just trying to make a living, and because so few tourists from the resorts and cruise ships come here, they’re eager to invite everyone they see in. They are also happy to bargain, and we got some great souvenirs at several shops. After we were done shopping, we kept wandering and kindly said no to the many shopkeepers still inviting us in. But even after saying no, they were just happy with a handshake and a friendly conversation. At the market, the nice lady we met at the hotel found us and gently invited us to come meet her niece and see her store. We went over, and I got my full hair braided at a very reasonable price, and we remembered to give a generous tip. While I was getting my hair braided we had a fun conversation with the women in the shops near that area; Patsy was the kind lady whose store number is 85, and Pril was her niece who had a shop to the left of Patsy’s. My mom and I had such a fun time, we went again the next day, which was sadly also our last. Patsy and her friends were very friendly and happily told us a lot about Jamaica and taught us some Jamaican Creole. Jamaica is a low-wage, high-cost economy, and even the resort employees don’t get paid well. With so few tourists leaving the resorts and cruise ships, the local merchants and craftsmen struggle to get by. I would really love it if when you go to the Ocho Rios Craft Market that you support the people there, rather than just shopping at hotel gift shops. Why go all the way to Jamaica if you’re not going to experience to the country and meet the people? So many of these reviews are very negative about these merchants who are just trying to get by, but I doubt any of these review writers actually took the time to get to know even one of these shopkeepers. So many of them are very kind and friendly. While I was there, I saw about 3 cruise ships very close to the market, but nobody from the boats came to the market. Instead they go to hotel gift shops and duty free stores with kitschy knick-knacks, none of which is a truly Jamaican experience. In conclusion the people at the craft market are just trying to get by, and have a stable living. Once you get to know them they are really just looking out for themselves, so please be understanding and at least give it some thought and consider going to the Ocho Rios craft market. And when you’re there, just talk to them—you might even make some new friends like we did.