💎 Must-Buy in Antananarivo! The Gem Market is Addictive!

Technically called a "gem market," but it's really a handicraft paradise—the perfect place to wrap up your Madagascar trip with a shopping spree! 🛍️ Why You Should Go? ✔ Unbelievably cheap! Like a "zero-dollar shopping" experience! ✔ Skip souvenirs elsewhere—this is the best place for authentic Malagasy crafts! ✔ Madagascar’s mini-Yiwu Market—you’ll find everything here! 🦎 What to Buy? Raffia crafts (chameleons, baobab trees, hats, bags—I filled my backpack for less than 100 RMB!) Fridge magnets (avg. 2 RMB each!) Wood carvings, jewelry, textiles—all at insane prices! 💰 Bargaining Tips Locals say you should start at 1/4 of the asking price and settle around 2/5... but honestly? ➜ Many items are already under 5 RMB—I felt guilty haggling! (Cutting 1 RMB might mean nothing to us, but it could be a meal for a local.) ⚠️ Important Notes ❌ Don’t buy gems here! The market is named "Gem Market," but real sapphires are rare—most are fake or low quality. Even if real, good stones are exported wholesale, not sold retail. 📍 How to Find It? Navigate to the location in Pic 7, then walk along the wall. There are two markets: Handicrafts (the one you want!) Daily goods (huge & easy to get lost in!) #MadagascarShopping #Antananarivo #GemMarket #SouvenirHaul #TravelFinds #BudgetTravel #RaffiaCrafts #NoGuiltShopping