Save time for shopping on your next visit to the Virgin Islands. A mile from the heavenly Westin St. John Resort & Villas, Mongoose Junction is an attractive complex of colonial inspired buildings filled with distinctive boutiques and restaurants. Located right on the main road in the island's main town Cruz Bay, Mongoose Junction is a Caribbean style shopping paradise, just waiting to be explored.

A handful of jewelry stores brim with elegant delights. Be sure to spend a while browsing the display cases at Caravan Gallery. Their huge selection of treasures includes selections from far-off lands like Tibet, Bali, and Morocco, in addition to local specialties such as the dazzling blue Caribbean larimar, St. John opal, and the hook bracelet. Bamboula is a great place to pick up gifts for loved ones back home. The inviting, colorful shop features handmade instruments including maracas and steel drums, native cloth dolls, and an assortment of breezy, island style clothing. If you still need a few more selections for your Caribbean closet, head to Bougainvillea where tropically hued straw bags mingle with European swimwear, Tommy Bahama button downs, and seashell embellished sandals. Long after your Virgin Islands getaway is a distant memory, all you'll have to do is step into your closet and thoughts of those warm Caribbean breezes will come flooding back.

[image via Mongoose Junction]