A shopping tour in Madagascar is hardly worth doing. People come here for sightseeing and diving, for watching whales, sharks and good-natured lemurs, but not for shopping. But, of course, it is hard for a tourist to resist buying something attractive as a souvenir. Madagascar is no different in this respect.
Madagascar offers some interesting items to bring back as souvenirs, including emeralds, faceted gemstones, and various semi-precious stones. When purchasing such items, it's crucial to obtain a certificate from the seller. Without a certificate, you run the risk of buying low-quality or counterfeit goods, and you may also face difficulties when trying to export them. Customs authorities may confiscate the items and impose fines. This advice applies to all souvenirs of natural origin, such as dried flowers and potted orchids.
Sales in Madagascar tend to occur at the end of the summer season when the number of tourists decreases. As such, you won't typically find specific sale seasons as in some other countries.
Retail shops in Madagascar generally operate from Monday to Friday, opening at around 08:00 and closing between 17:00 and 17:30. On Saturdays, shops are open from 08:00 to 13:00. Most shops are closed on Sundays. In the southern and southeastern regions of the country, it's common for stores and street vendors to close for an afternoon siesta from 12:00 to 16:00.
While you can try to haggle when shopping in Madagascar, it may not always be very effective. Prices for foreigners are often higher, and substantial discounts can be challenging to obtain. This is particularly true for souvenirs. Antananarivo offers excellent markets where you can purchase a wide range of items, including souvenirs, spices, and even electronics. However, be cautious when buying electronics, as they may be of lower quality.
For memorable souvenirs, consider purchasing traditional wall masks, lambu clothing, jewelry, colorful local fabrics, mother-of-pearl and horn jewelry, baskets, and caskets. Additionally, you can explore various edible items such as honey, coffee, herbal tea, wine, and rum. Prices for these items are generally reasonable, with spices starting at around $1.5 USD, and jewelry available from $40 USD and up.
