Many travelers to the Caribbean are expecting a duty-free paradise, though many Virgin Gorda shopping experiences are quite different. The island is not a haven, though Virgin Gorda shopping can be very fun and rewarding. Guests shopping in Virgin Gorda will find a good collection of local crafts and wares as well as upscale boutiques at some of the luxury hotels as well as within Spanish Town.

The Yacht Harbor complex is home to a collection of Virgin Gorda shopping outlets. Some of the most interesting shopping on Virgin Gorda takes place at the Artistic Gallery, an interesting boutique with intricate jewelry and island collectibles. Other Virgin Gorda shopping is for more tangible items; beach towels and sunscreen, items like these can be found a stores like Dive BVI and Next Wave.

ATMS:
The island offers one ATM in Spanish Town.

Baby-Equipment Rentals:
Car seats, cribs, high chairs, playpens, strollers, cots and bed rails are all available for rental for additional fees such as:

Portable Baby Crib with Mattress: $70/wk. (Be sure to bring your own mattress pad & linens)
High Chair: $25/wk.
Cot: $350/wk.

Banks:
Barclays Bank on Virgin Gorda is open from 10 AM –2 PM Mon.-Friday.

Budgeting/Costs to Rent a Villa on Virgin Gorda:

In addition to the weekly rental rate for a villa on Virgin Gorda, the additional costs involved include but are not limited to the following:

Air Transportation
Car Rentals
Groceries & beverages
Tip for the maid (hotel type tipping is recommended).

Currency:
The currency of the B.V.I. is the U.S. dollar.
Major credit cards and traveler’s checks are widely accepted as well. Please note that there is a 10Cent stamp duty on all checks and traveler’s checks.

Laundry:
The villas laundry facilities are NOT available to villa guests to use at any Virgin Gorda villa due to water shortages and restrictions. Personal laundry may be done by dropping it off at Steven’s Laundry in town or there is a do-it-yourself Laundromat located at Leverick Bay (open 24 hours and just steps away from the marine, bar etc.).

Pre-stocking:
While the villas on Virgin Gorda do not include staffs (cooks), for visitors that will be arriving late in the day or evening, we recommend that they have the villa pre-stocked with some arrival beverages and snacks. Please Fax or e-mail us your list well in advance. The charge for this service is 25% of the total cost of the groceries and supplies purchased.

Shopping:
The British Virgin Islands and Virgin Gorda shopping in particular are not known Mecca of goods. Leverick Bay offers a few gift shops and the Ship Store at Little Dix Bay carries an assortment of clothing and

Palm Tree Gallery:
Located in Leverick Bay offers the most extensive collection of Caribbean art and gifts on the island for some great Virgin Gorda shopping. Hand crafted gold and silver jewelry, stunning ceramics, sculptures, paintings and accessories by many local artists.

Olde Yarde Inn Boutique:
This Virgin Gorda shopping spot is located in the Valley offers paintings, pottery, small sculptures and jewelry by local artists.

Staff:
The villas on Virgin Gorda generally only include limited maid service daily with the exception of Sundays and holidays. Please note, however, that cook service may be arranged for additional fees.

Tipping of the staff:
It is appropriate to tip the villa’s housekeeper for excellent service and a job well done. We recommend $2-$4 per guest, per day.

TV & VCR Rentals:
AT this time there is no cable TV service available in the Mahoe Bay area, so if the villa you are renting does not specify that it has Satellite TV, then it only has a TV set and VCR. TV’s & VCR units are available for rental and the costs generally run approximately US $18-$23 per day plus service charge and 15% VAT.

Grocery Shopping:
Visitors will find the Buck’s Supermarket on Virgin Gorda to be fairly well stocked.