Airport Shopping

Airport Shopping

Airport Shopping in Barbados

Barbados’ Grantley Adams International Airport (GAIA) is the island’s only airport and handles daily flights to and from worldwide.

During 2004 – 2006, GAIA (www.gaia.bb) underwent a US$150 million extensive expansion and renovation program to enhance its terminal operations and cater to the increasing number of aircraft and passenger arrivals to Barbados, which included a larger facility for airport shoppers.

As a result, Barbados now provides more duty-free shopping options for travelers in the Arrivals and Departure Lounge than ever before.

Shopping At GAIA

Unlike other countries, you can benefit from Barbados’ duty-free bargains as soon as you arrive on the island. After clearing Immigration, you’ll see a Cave Shepherd store in the Arrivals Terminal, right next to the baggage claim. Here, you can shop for confectionery, alcohol, and perfumes at up to 40% off US retail prices and set the tone for an enjoyable holiday.

The airport’s Departure Lounge also offers shopping options like a convenience store for any items you may need on your flight and any last-minute purchases before you set off on your journey.

For some serious duty-free options at GAIA, we recommend visiting the outlets of Diamonds International, the largest direct-to-the-customer diamond dealer in the world selling fine jewelry and watches, and Colombian Emeralds International, selling duty-free jewelry and designer watches.

You’ll also find the Best of Barbados Gift Shops in the Departure Lounge to get souvenirs in Barbados. Best of Barbados is a family-owned business that has been making and designing top-quality local gifts and handicrafts on the island for over 40 years.

They stock many Bajan-made souvenirs, including prints and designs by the company’s founder (artist Jill Walker) and her family. You can find jewelry, art, paintings, cookbooks, beach bags, towels, T-shirts, music, and DVDs – perfect for those last-minute gifts for friends and family back home!

There are a variety of fashions, crafts, and souvenir stores within GAIA, including Island Crafts, Ganzee, Caribbean Kidz, and The Tamarind Seed, to name a few. There are also natural beauty and skincare products on sale at Earth Mother Botanicals, and books, magazines, newspapers, and music are available at Biway Books and Music.

GAIA also houses a branch of Bijoux Terner selling ladies’ fashion accessories like watches, jewelry, hats, bags, belts, and wallets for the bargain duty-free price of US$10 on everything in the store!

Also, in the Departure Lounge, the Cricket Legends of Barbados shop offers travelers unique tax-free cricket and sports memorabilia and some great gift options.

The Departure Lounge is also home to various duty-free stores selling liquor such as rum, whiskey, brandy, and vodka. There are also tobacco products for sale, such as leading US and UK brand cigarettes and Cuban cigars, at very reasonable prices. You can pick up international fragrances, skincare, and cosmetics, as well as chocolate, at these stores. Within Barbados’ airport, these stores include Runway Duty-Free, Runway Beauty, Refinery Limited, and the Barbados Agricultural Development and Marketing Corporation (BADMC).

For an extensive list of shops at GAIA, see www.gaia.bb/shopping.

GAIA – Not Just Shopping!

While you wait for your flight at Barbados’ GAIA, you can also visit a number of the airport’s bars and food outlets, including Chefette, Island Grill, Grab ‘n’ Go, Good Eats, Banks Bar, Cream, Gate Zero Bar, and Christophe’s Café.

For a full list of bars and restaurants at GAIA, see www.gaia.bb/food-and-beverage.

As you can see, Barbados’ GAIA has been transformed from a single terminal building to a functional and modern airport facility to cater to every shopping traveler’s needs, and more!

Author: Brett Callaghan