Tourism
of Goa
Shopping
in GoaFor travellers
to Goa, the visit is not complete unless they take back a souvenir of their
memorable sojourn in this magnificent paradise. Naturally, shopping should
be a priority on the itinerary of every tourist, along with the sightseeing
attractions.
The excellent local handicrafts of Goa are easily the
most popular souvenir items and include brassware, terracotta, shell work,
crochet, carved furniture, bamboo work, papier-mache, etc. These are
available in the Government Emporia and also at shops and stalls near the
popular tourist spots.
Another item which is on the list of every
traveller to Goa is a pack of the famed cashew nuts. These are available
practically everywhere. There are shops specialising in selling only
cashewnuts. The nuts are available in a wide variety of tastes ranging from
plain, salted and masala. The prices vary based on the quality and flavour.
There are also many fascinating options in the lifestyle and
fashion shops which have come up in recent times. Some of these are located
in fabulous old Goan houses which have been painstakingly restored. These
shops make the best selections in home styling and fashion available to the
tourists at quite reasonable prices.
It is also a fascinating
experience to go around and shop in the traditional markets of the Goan
towns and villages. These markets are a mirror of Goa's ethnic culture and
provide a glimpse of the typical Goan way of doing business.
Two
of the most famous such market areas are Mapusa and Anjuna. The Friday
Market at Mapusa, where stalls sell everything from curios and old coins to
dried fish and spices.
The Wednesday Market at Anjuna Beach
started by and for foreigners is an extremely lively spot where souvenirs,
beachwear, trinkets and handicrafts are sold at bargain prices.
Most
deluxe hotels and resorts also have good in-house shops, but the price
ranges are usually higher.
The charm of shopping in Goa lies in
bargaining to your heart's content in markets and shops until you finally
bring down the price and make the purchase a worthwhile experience.
Click
on the Following Shopping ways:
Places
to Shop
Handicrafts:
Goa does not lag behind as far as local arts and crafts are concerned and
with the superb craftsmanship of the local artisans has managed to carve out
a niche for itself in this highly competitive field.
Brandnames
Shopping: There are a number of brand name outlets in Panaji
and the Calangute beach area - including Nike, Levi's, Lacoste, Benetton,
Lee and Reebok.
Traditional
Markets: Most Goan towns have a Municipal Market where you can
get practically everything you need in one place to stock up on your
provisions. This is the traditional market place for the average Goan for
his daily shopping needs.
