The Craft Market at the Hip Strip
The Craft Market at the Hip Strip
The Craft Market at the Hip Strip
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3.0
72 reviews
Excellent
5
Very good
18
Average
22
Poor
8
Terrible
19
brendaslater
Midland, Canada23 contributions
May 2016 • Friends
We have been here a few times, and head directly to Big Mama's booth. She is an awesome, gentle soul and she is our go-to girl, she has pretty much everything including cold drinks. When you get into the market, one of the guys at the 1st beer stop will inevitably offer to show you where she is (be prepared, he will expect to be paid). Pretty much everyone has similar products, so be prepared to negotiate! Please try not to respond to the vendors calling/following you to go to their booths - as Canadians we tend to be quite polite and say yes, just to get them to leave us be, but if you don't go to their booths (eventually) they can get quite aggressive. (NO is a better answer - No Thank You is even better... they tend to leave you alone if you say NO !)
We took a taxi from our Mo-Bay resort to the market, then walked back up the Hip Strip to Margaritaville, then back to our resort. Again, people will offer to show you the way, then ask to be paid - just say NO if you don't want their assistance.
We took a taxi from our Mo-Bay resort to the market, then walked back up the Hip Strip to Margaritaville, then back to our resort. Again, people will offer to show you the way, then ask to be paid - just say NO if you don't want their assistance.
Written 6 June 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jogo15
Canada98 contributions
Feb 2015 • Couples
This is the Craft Market on The Hip Strip on Gloucester, not the bigger one that is in Downtown Montego Bay. Having not knowing there are 2 Craft Markets in Montego Bay, I thought this was the one downtown everyone was warning tourists about. Think we were the only tourists looking around in there. A lot of shops were shut down. Wasn't much offered for me to want to step inside and take a look at. Real sad.
As I had already written a review for Gloucester Avenue and couldn't edit it, I will add on my experience here as others did. Being a tea drinker, I know nothing about buying 100% Jamaican Blu Mountain Coffee. We were told by Jamaicans that the tourist shops are run/owned by Pakistani Indian people. At one of the Dollar Stores, the owner convinced me that his package which was about 8oz. of whole beans was really 16 oz. and that it was 100% JBM coffee, sold it to me for $17.50. Looked like the label could have been printed on a home computer and stapled as such too. Told me if I wanted more to, not buy it from the store beside Biggs Bbq Restaurant, but to buy from his brother at the other Dollar Store. I didn't listen to him and stopped by the next store to check out their coffees. I showed the guy there what I bought and he told me it was garbage and that it was not a 1 lb. bag. He also told me that it did not have the authentic seal of JBM on the package. So I went back to the Dollar Store, politely asked for my $ back saying I had doubts about the coffee he sold me. He said no problem, knowing I had caught onto his lie. Meanwhile, he brother from the other Dollar Store, heard me and asked if the guy next store had said their coffee was crap, etc. he hit the nail, but I denied it not wanting to get the guy next door in trouble. So do your research before buying 100% JBM coffee as the store owners will tell you it's all the same as there's only one mountain. Altitude does affect where the better beans are grown too. Most sell the 100% JBM coffee for $25, when asked for a price. I got Jamblue for $23 for 1lb. and Blue Mahoe Estates for $20/lb. The one brand High Mountain- that a lot of shops sell for $25, sells for $17 at the airport. Not sure how good it is as I couldn't find any reviews.
Buying t-shirts or caps from the stores, make sure you bargain. Offer them at least 1/2 of the stated price and work your way up from there.
As I had already written a review for Gloucester Avenue and couldn't edit it, I will add on my experience here as others did. Being a tea drinker, I know nothing about buying 100% Jamaican Blu Mountain Coffee. We were told by Jamaicans that the tourist shops are run/owned by Pakistani Indian people. At one of the Dollar Stores, the owner convinced me that his package which was about 8oz. of whole beans was really 16 oz. and that it was 100% JBM coffee, sold it to me for $17.50. Looked like the label could have been printed on a home computer and stapled as such too. Told me if I wanted more to, not buy it from the store beside Biggs Bbq Restaurant, but to buy from his brother at the other Dollar Store. I didn't listen to him and stopped by the next store to check out their coffees. I showed the guy there what I bought and he told me it was garbage and that it was not a 1 lb. bag. He also told me that it did not have the authentic seal of JBM on the package. So I went back to the Dollar Store, politely asked for my $ back saying I had doubts about the coffee he sold me. He said no problem, knowing I had caught onto his lie. Meanwhile, he brother from the other Dollar Store, heard me and asked if the guy next store had said their coffee was crap, etc. he hit the nail, but I denied it not wanting to get the guy next door in trouble. So do your research before buying 100% JBM coffee as the store owners will tell you it's all the same as there's only one mountain. Altitude does affect where the better beans are grown too. Most sell the 100% JBM coffee for $25, when asked for a price. I got Jamblue for $23 for 1lb. and Blue Mahoe Estates for $20/lb. The one brand High Mountain- that a lot of shops sell for $25, sells for $17 at the airport. Not sure how good it is as I couldn't find any reviews.
Buying t-shirts or caps from the stores, make sure you bargain. Offer them at least 1/2 of the stated price and work your way up from there.
Written 19 February 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SHEDA1
Chandler, AZ19 contributions
Feb 2014 • Friends
One of the must-go places in Montego Bay is the craft market on the Hip Strip near Howard Cooke Blvd. A round trip taxi ride from most resorts will range from about $20 - $40; way over priced. Most of the vendors in the craft market are women with small individual stalls filled with art, souvenirs, and crafts. The majority of the items tend to be the same from stall to stall, but if one takes the time to really look there are some artistic gems to be found. I have gotten some nice carved wood pieces, paintings, handbags, and more from the craft market. The market is multilevel (about the equivalent of three uneven building stories). Be sure to take water, dress comfortably, and wear some sensible shoes. All of the vendors take American dollars and will try to drive a hard bargain. Remember....barter, barter, barter. I always include an excursion to the craft market whenever I am in Montego Bay and always come away satisfied with souvenirs that are unique and not the usual tchotchke found everywhere else.
Written 17 February 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nancy W
7 contributions
Jan 2020
Unbelievable is a mild description on this place. There is a bunch of the same junk in EVERY store, at different prices, and the pushy women who say "come to my store" don't own anything! This was among the worst places I've ever been in Jamaica, and I've been there at least 5 times in the last 10 years. Shop in Negril instead. Better quality and lots of handmade items at reasonable prices. Yes, pushy too, but nothing like the horrible pushy folks in Mo-Bay.
Written 13 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Courtney L
2 contributions
Aug 2024 • Family
Straight up hustling VULTURES at this craft market. KEEP WALKING !!! Trust me, you’ll thank god for this review hopefully nobody else has to experience what me my husband and daughter did while being sucked into this money trap!
Written 22 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jon H
Seguin, TX6 contributions
Jan 2018 • Couples
My wife and mysel are experienced traveler and as a retire US Marine I have shopped around the world literally in local markets for years.
This is by far the worst hig pressure experience I have ever had.
Harassment is not even close to being descriptive.
They don’t take no for answer.
It even got worse when one old man kept trying to get me to buy the coconut hull beer mug he had. I told him no politely a. Persisted even trying to put it in th bag my wife was carrying. I forceful told him “I said no now back off”. He then threw the mug on the ground and stated screaming for police. We were surrounded by local blocking our leaving.
Moments later now afraid for my wife’s safety, local police arrive in military uniform Carrying automtic weapons show up.
The old man begin to tell them I was trying to steal the mug, and that when he tried to stop me I grabbed his arm and made him dropnthe cup nd breaking. He also Said he had seen us buying drugs behind his both.
The cop asked for our cruise ids. Looked at them then said “well Mon appears to a case of assault and theft and we need to search you for the drugs. But it’s such a beautiful day am going to give young people a break. Pay the old man double for the fine cup you broke and apologize and you can go on about your day”
“And I ‘if say no way.?} I quip. “Well then Mr smart Alec, we will take you an your beautiful wife down to the station and start looking for the drugs the old gent saw you buy. after we notify your ship you have detained.
I paid 60 bucks but was damned if would apologize.
We Left and spent rest of day at hard rock. My wife was in tears. And no we dont do drugs
This is by far the worst hig pressure experience I have ever had.
Harassment is not even close to being descriptive.
They don’t take no for answer.
It even got worse when one old man kept trying to get me to buy the coconut hull beer mug he had. I told him no politely a. Persisted even trying to put it in th bag my wife was carrying. I forceful told him “I said no now back off”. He then threw the mug on the ground and stated screaming for police. We were surrounded by local blocking our leaving.
Moments later now afraid for my wife’s safety, local police arrive in military uniform Carrying automtic weapons show up.
The old man begin to tell them I was trying to steal the mug, and that when he tried to stop me I grabbed his arm and made him dropnthe cup nd breaking. He also Said he had seen us buying drugs behind his both.
The cop asked for our cruise ids. Looked at them then said “well Mon appears to a case of assault and theft and we need to search you for the drugs. But it’s such a beautiful day am going to give young people a break. Pay the old man double for the fine cup you broke and apologize and you can go on about your day”
“And I ‘if say no way.?} I quip. “Well then Mr smart Alec, we will take you an your beautiful wife down to the station and start looking for the drugs the old gent saw you buy. after we notify your ship you have detained.
I paid 60 bucks but was damned if would apologize.
We Left and spent rest of day at hard rock. My wife was in tears. And no we dont do drugs
Written 3 November 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sarah G
Austin, Texas12 contributions
May 2018 • Family
Terrible - the most aggressive market I've ever experienced, all the small stalls have the same items. You might be able to get a deal or maybe find something decent - but honestly, find another place to do shopping.
I'd turned down an item that they forced me to try on - and she bagged up anyway, and was like, you have to buy this you tried it on. I did make a purchase at one of the stalls, and regretted this immediately. I had to literally run away from the stalls and get in the hotel van, to get away from the harassment / badgering / grabbing at my arm.
I'd turned down an item that they forced me to try on - and she bagged up anyway, and was like, you have to buy this you tried it on. I did make a purchase at one of the stalls, and regretted this immediately. I had to literally run away from the stalls and get in the hotel van, to get away from the harassment / badgering / grabbing at my arm.
Written 12 May 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Honey1721
Goreville, IL266 contributions
Feb 2014 • Couples
After reading some of the negative reviews about the Hip Strip I was a little skeptical about going out on the Hip Strip, even in the daytime, but I found out it was all a bunch of nonsense. The shop merchants were all very nice and were able to bargain down to some very good deals. They love to bargain so don't pay the asking price. It's true the merchants come out onto the street and try to get you into their shop but if you don't want to go in just say a polite "No thank you" and keep on walking. Believe me no one will physically drag you into their shop. They may insist that they have a great deal for you, but just ignore it and keep walking and they'll pick up on the next tourist. They may seem a little aggressive to some, but they're totally harmless. You have to keep in mind that many of us have spent as much or more on our vacations as they make in a year. They are living in tiny shacks just trying to make enough money to pay for the next meal to feed their family. I might tend to seem a little aggressive or desperate too, wouldn't you? When I was in Jamaica, I never met anyone that didn't have a smile in their face. Everyone was always happy, friendly, and accommodating. I can't wait to go back!
Written 24 August 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
johnbulpin_swansea
214 contributions
Mar 2020 • Couples
Unless you like arguing with aggressive people that cannot take no thank you for an answer give this tourist trap a wide berth ,all the stuff in every shop is the same and not locally made .You will get hounded to buy and they make the prices up as they go along , did not feel safe .
Written 29 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GrosvenorFamily
London, UK118 contributions
Oct 2015 • Couples
Jamaica day 1
So we have arrived in Jamaica and are staying in the 5* Riu Montego Bay. My review on the hotel will follow separately. Our first trip was the Montego Bay Highlight Tour booked via Viator. We were met by our guide Leon who took us on our tour. We were driven into the city of Montego Bay where we were given a very informative talk about the city and all our questions were answered. Leon took us to one of the best vantage points of Montego Bay, Richmond Hill house then down to Hip Street a main shopping street.
Leon was very good as our guide and this private tour is highly recommended
Hip Street
We were taken along here as part of our private Montego Bay Highlight tour with Leon, but actually came to the street later in the day by our taxi driver Sammy from the Riu Montego Bay. This is definitely the place to go for your shopping from tourist gifts to diamonds but be aware every shop will try and get you to come in and look at their wears and you will continually hear the phase "share the love" ie buy from my shop too.
If you come to this area you should make the effort to go to the craft market, which is located at the opposite end of the street from where the boats dock. We were taken here by a little lady who had lovely gifts and the other stores also have lovely gifts but bear in mind you will be asked to look in all the shops and share the love. If you can look out for the fruit lady she is very approachable and we gave her a tip and took pictures.
So we have arrived in Jamaica and are staying in the 5* Riu Montego Bay. My review on the hotel will follow separately. Our first trip was the Montego Bay Highlight Tour booked via Viator. We were met by our guide Leon who took us on our tour. We were driven into the city of Montego Bay where we were given a very informative talk about the city and all our questions were answered. Leon took us to one of the best vantage points of Montego Bay, Richmond Hill house then down to Hip Street a main shopping street.
Leon was very good as our guide and this private tour is highly recommended
Hip Street
We were taken along here as part of our private Montego Bay Highlight tour with Leon, but actually came to the street later in the day by our taxi driver Sammy from the Riu Montego Bay. This is definitely the place to go for your shopping from tourist gifts to diamonds but be aware every shop will try and get you to come in and look at their wears and you will continually hear the phase "share the love" ie buy from my shop too.
If you come to this area you should make the effort to go to the craft market, which is located at the opposite end of the street from where the boats dock. We were taken here by a little lady who had lovely gifts and the other stores also have lovely gifts but bear in mind you will be asked to look in all the shops and share the love. If you can look out for the fruit lady she is very approachable and we gave her a tip and took pictures.
Written 25 October 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Will some travelers please post some photos? We are supposed to honeymoon in early January and I'm dying to see more pictures!
Written 11 January 2015
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