They are abundant with a range of bargains from food to handmade crafts and electronics. Most markets and centres sell traditional fabric, embroidery and costume, pottery, necklaces of clay beads and costume jewellery of wood or various seeds. Craft markets are dotted around where you can find woodcarvings in the form of African gaming boards, masks and statues; musical instruments; and metalwork, including copper pendants, bowls and statuettes.
An authentic African experience can be encountered at the local markets, which are normally noisy and colourful, but not for the faint hearted. With many ramshackle stalls selling everything from fruit and vegetables, to clothes, to animals, it is truly an education to see how the locals socialise and shop for their everyday needs.
Bargaining is the name of the game for everything from shoes to souvenirs. You can expect to reduce the price by anything from 25% to 50%. In Saly there are mini-markets, which sell a selection of groceries, bottled water and soft drinks.
Shops are generally open Monday - Saturday 08:30 -12:30 and 15:30 –19:30. Some of the shops are open Sunday mornings, and closed on a Monday. Your resort representative will be able to tell you more about your resort shopping and opening times when you arrive.