Flea market in Anjuna Goa India
How to get there, what you can buy and how to bargain at the largest bazaar in Goa
OOne of the main attractions of life in North Goa is the market in Anjuna, which appeared back in the 60s and traditionally takes place once a week on Wednesdays, in the daytime. Remember! Wednesday - Day - Anjuna. There are many markets in India, you can easily forget everything. With dawn, merchants from all over India spread their tents and stalls over a vast territory of several square kilometers. Both tourists and locals flock here, not only from Goa, but also from nearby states. The open-air market awaits you from October to May.
How the market appeared and how to trade on it
As I said, the market appeared in the 60s, just during the heyday of the hippies in Goa. The lazy people who came in large numbers instantly fell in love with the endless Goan beaches and free life. They quickly smoked, ate and drank all their cash savings, squandered tickets, and in the end they simply could not return home.
They would have to live and live, but conscience and longing for their homeland took their toll - the hippies had to somehow earn money, and this is how the idea of a flea market arose, where you can sell your personal belongings, as well as crafts and handmade souvenirs.
Time passed, and the market developed at a cosmic speed and now it is a real Mecca for shoppers from all over the world. Now the hippies have changed Indians, Tibetans and Nepalese. You have to “fight” with them in the struggle for a fair price for the goods you like :))
10 Golden Rules for Successful Shopping at Anjuna Market
Next are mine tips for successful shopping in this, in my opinion, surprisingly interesting place. The opinion is somewhat subjective, but based on personal experience. So read on and try not to repeat my individual mistakes.
- Do not be angry. Just do not get angry, do not show aggression and do not be nervous. Even if you see that they want to cheat you, even if you just bought a low-quality product, even if you no longer want to buy this product. Do not Cry. You won’t achieve anything anyway, the rule doesn’t work here: “the truth is on the side who has the strength”, these are people of a different mindset and other concepts;
- Do everything with a smile and radiate friendliness. Smile. If you are annoyed by all the Indians as a nation - just do not visit this market - it will bring you to white heat. Do everything slowly, measuredly. Here you can have a good time only if you are positive and you enjoy shopping and bargaining. The Hindus feel this as predators of fear, and they are always on the same wavelength with the bold and cheerful;
- Bargain. Always bargain. Bring down the price by half, or even 2.5 times. Checked and working. Do it with a smile, but firmly. In fact, a lot of handicrafts were made by a local aboriginal from an improvised piece of wood when he was bored under the branches of a sprawling palm tree in the midday heat. He himself has not yet decided how much his souvenir costs - so you will determine the price right in the process of bargaining and together. Do not be shy!
- If the seller does not run after you, then you have named too low a price;
- English roll. Of course, you can even explain yourself in sign language. What's there - at least put rock art into play. But still it is desirable to know English;
- Watch out for bags and wallets - there are plenty of thieves;
- Come early. The market is just beginning to unfold at 7 am, at 8 it is already possible to buy. At this time there are few people here, there is a lot of air and there is still no heat;
- The Tibetan part of the market is extremely greedy and completely unprepared to bargain, this is where all kinds of stones and silver jewelry are. Do not buy - in local jewelers you will bring down the price much more successfully;
- Avoid drum dealers and don't buy their drums. I know you don't need them. But you think so now, but in fact only the most persistent leave the market in Anjuna on Wednesdays without a drum. Therefore, before the trip, read yourself a mantra: “I don’t need a drum and I won’t buy it!”;
- Afterwards, you can enjoy swimming on the beach. He is credited!
The real situation is an example of the rules of shopping
I had one situation - I really wanted to "get a canary for a penny, and so that I also sang in the voice of Orbakaite." It didn't work out. I had to get away. But I wanted things. I wandered around the market and did not know how to buy them already. Has returned. And I tell the seller:
“Oh, you again. And I was passing by. Yes, I love your stuff. Okay, since I met them again, I’ll buy it ”…
I think he understood that I did not know how to return and decided not to offend me with the words:
- "What, the stingy Russian soul, decided to buy for my price ?!" ...
But, even if he said them, everything would be fair. I tried to buy for 5 bucks 3 new and trendy items from Next. I bought it for 15. But in my opinion it’s better than paying exorbitant prices, and then realizing that you were scammed.
Market In Anjuna: my opinion and impressions
I liked the market. I have to go there without a penny in my pocket or with very modest money, otherwise I get so carried away that when my funds run out, I begin to exchange my things for those that are sold on the market. It’s good that fellow travelers always go with me - I call them “willpower”, so I don’t dance with local rastafarians yet, earning a return ticket to Candolim.
EVERYTHING is for sale on the market. In the truest sense of the word: fabrics, bedspreads, teas, coffees, spices, things, crazy handmade cotton tunics, precious stones, jewelry, sculptures, plates, magnets, cotton, antiques… The quality is different, but you don’t leave your brains and eyes beyond the threshold of the market - look both ways and choose.
Anjuna has a lot of quality products from brands such as Next, Atmosphere, Mango - these are the companies that have branches in India.
Any eastern market is a theater where merchants try to act as directors. Play along with them! Bargaining and generally walking around this market should be in a good mood, and buy everything with a smile, courage and a good joke.
What to do in the market if you don't like shopping?
Honestly?! There is practically nothing ... You will be annoyed by the very atmosphere, noise, din and international polyphony from the phrases: “How much?” and "How much?" But if you still go, all kinds of fire shows are often held in the market, snake charmers and owners of tame monkeys entertain the public. You can take a breath in a local cafe. Swimming is also a good option - the local beach is gorgeous and not crowded during the market.
How to get to the market in Anjuna: exact coordinates
Naturally, the solution to the question of how a tourist can get to the market depends primarily on its location. Therefore, I give the exact location of the market on the map with coordinates. I lived in a hotel in Candolim, therefore, the prices are from this place. But looking at the map, you can orient yourself and estimate the price of moving based on the distance from Anjuna.
There are several ways to get to the Anjuna Day Market:
- bike. An option for mobile tourists, lovers of free movement and contemplation of life from the inside. Parking is paid, but inexpensive, but finding a parking space in the midst of the market is problematic;
- Bus. Option for budget travelers. The local municipal bus goes to Mapusa, and there you need to transfer to the bus to Anjuna. Long, boring, but cheap. The whole trip will cost 50 rupees. By the way, the exchange rate for May 2019 was 1USD for 70 INR (rupiah);
- Taxi. An option for generous tourists who prefer comfort. The taxi driver is waiting for you near the market and takes you back. From Candolim to the bazaar and back - 600 rupees round trip per car;
- Knock Knock. Option here and there. But definitely too far a road for this mode of transport.
On the last trip to the market, I bought only three trunks. In addition, she talked a lot in all languages, gestures, and in the end she was mortally tired. Upon arrival at the hotel, I swam in the pool, as I was too lazy to even stomp to the Arabian Sea and drank coconut milk.
Then dinner, a short walk and a sweet dream... I fall into oblivion, and in front of my eyes there are endless shopping malls with bright, shiny and mysterious things, and all this is covered by the monotonous hum of various languages and dialects from all over the world... This is the bazaar in Anjuna...