International Bazaar In Freeport

[luvmygirlz]

Has anyone been here? If so, can you please tell me about it? I cannot seem to find a lot of info on it.

 

Thanks!

Michell

[catl331]

try inquiring on the ports of call-Bahamas board. I found out that nothing is made in Bahamas. They do sew varioius designs on straw bags and hats made elsewhere.

[pastorfrank]

Has anyone been here? If so, can you please tell me about it? I cannot seem to find a lot of info on it.

 

Thanks!

Michell

 

Blows chunks!! Sucks wind!!! Horrible, horrible, horrible!!! Boring!! If you like straw then go...seriously...lots of straw stuff...the prices are worse than every other port I have been to...they are not willing to barter at all (very little) and a watch that I wanted to buy was CHEAPER on the Glory than it was in Freeport (exact same watch - a Mark Echo) by $30.

 

It cost you $30 round trip to be taxied - shoe horned - to the Market and we stayed for one hour...oh how I wished I had that 1 hour and $30 back.

 

Sigh. Waste of a port IMO.

 

But that is just me...and I am a pretty decent optomist...glass half full...Mr. Sunny Sunshine...not too much gets me down...kinda guy.

[ohiochic]

DH and I vacationed in Freeport 3 years ago. We went to the International Bazaar and were quite disappointed. The locals explained that a lot of the shops had closed and hadn't reopened due to a hurricane (can't remember which one) the year before. I am not sure if most of those shops have reopened since we visited but if not you might be better off finding another place to shop. Port Lucaya had nice shops along with locals selling stuff.

[stowawaykc]

We were in Freeport in "06" and they were still rebuilding the International Bazaar area from recent hurricane damage at that time.

 

As I recall, it is about 2 or 3 miles from Lucaya, too far to walk. There are taxis and public buses you can take from Lucaya. They are both pretty much the same, (minivans) but the buses are cheaper, I think it was $1.00 each ride on the bus. The difference is that the taxi will take you directly without stopping, and the bus will make periodic stops to piick up locals along the way. We enjoyed talking with the locals and always felt safe on the bus. The locals are very aware what tourism means to their economy and most were very friendly.

 

It was difficult to tell the difference between a bus and taxi because they all look the same (some nice, some pretty beat up).

 

We stayed on the island for a week and spent time at both places, I would plan on staying in Lucaya if I was only in port for a short time. They have the same basic shopping, with Lucaya having alot more choices as far as eating and shopping. There is a Casino and dutyfree liquor available. There is beach access between the Sheraton hotel and the casino.(a public walkway that leads to a beautiful beach)

If you are doing an excursion, Lucaya is the "take off" point for most of the available excursions anyway.

 

This is how it was in Spring of "06", If anyone has been there recently, they may know if things are different.

[amber2]

DH and I took a week-long vacation in Freeport last Nov. The Int'l Bazaar is not worth the visit if you only have a short cruise stay on the island. I would suggest going to Port Lucaya. They have a marketplace there that is similar to Int'l Bazaar. You can also go behind the Sheraton (located across the street from the marketplace) and enjoy some beach time.

[mudpievelour]

The "International" Bazaar is just that. You won't find any local stuff there. It is all cheap imported stuff, t-shirts, cheap jewelry, and most of the vendors there are very pushy and nasty if you say no.

 

Spend your time in Port Lucaya. Cleaner, friendlier, no rude vendors. I won't say it's all local crafts, but some of the stuff (like costume jewelry) is really made by the locals (from beads and stuff bought in USA and Japan sometimes.) Basically it is much cleaner and friendlier in Port Lucaya, more places to eat and even street entertainment sometimes.

[luvmygirlz]

I knew I could count on everyone here! Thanks for your replies. It looks like we will be heading to Port Lucaya.

[ILov2cruise]

Waste of time.

 

I remember on my first cruise (33 years ago) when the ship pulled into a port the island people would spread their blankets on the pier and put all their straw items out for sale.

[Cqis]

Years ago the International Bzzar was wonderful, music filled the streets, wonderful shopping, local art work, and hand made items, and wonderful purfums , and cloth store..

I was so excited when we took a cruise (2002) with friends that had never been there.

I was s-o-o-o embrassed when we got there. Everything had changed. Go someplace else, it is a real waste of time unless you have nothing else to do.

 

Cely