Finance, Forex and Investments

shopping advice in Goa, India?

I am visiting Goa in a few weeks. i would like to know which markets to go to, and which shops for the following items, all at quite cheap prices: - Handmade trousers, made from traditional materials(the kind that are like pyjamas in indian materials, which locals sometimes wear) -Leather sandals, which are tailor made to your feet(i have wide feet!!) -Cotton beachwear style tops -FABRIC- in all types- any specalist shop or market? -bangles and bright jewellery -other souvenirs. do you have any suggestions for these or websites which may help? thanks!

Public Comments

1. best is to hire yourself a guide for the day, especially if its your first time there, and you don't have local language skills. for ~ $20 USD you could hire a guy for a few hrs. I would proposition a taxi driver, or anyone who has some english skills (assuming that's your language). We just took a taxi to the main market... but you seem to have a specific list. A guide will minimize your shopping time, and maximize your beach time - its beautiful there.
2. agree with the first answer....but, the taxi & tut tut drivers are paid a commission if they take you to the local Kashmiri shopping emporiums so it might be better to take advice from the locals....as these places are nice - but expensive. you can buy fantastic clothing & jewellery/bangles from the beach sellers or the little shacks dotted around everywhere......it's hard work though - you have to haggle for everything....any price they give you....just offer half & take it from there - you'll still get a great bargain. there are also little tailors everywhere, often working outside their homes with their little sewing machines....they'll give you good prices & make you anything you want.
3. Its the norm in the whole of the country that if you are discovered to be from outside a particular place of visit then the chances that you will pay more than the locals is to be taken for granted. Same is the case for Goa. I would suggest not to hire guides. They are part of the commission mob.Your best chance is to make friends with a local person. Give him a token and seek his help in taking you around. Make him understand the logic and be honest with him You will get whatever you want and at a price that any Goan would buy it at. Also your time to search for this stuff will be minimal. Best of Luck