Handicraft Market
Handicraft Market
2.5
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
2.5
58 reviews
Excellent
2
Very good
7
Average
23
Poor
9
Terrible
17
Karuna and Ranjan
Auckland, New Zealand1 contribution
Feb 2020
Avoid this dodgy tour operator. We were stuck in the car with a discourteous, yelling tour guide. Did not provide lunch even though it was agreed at the time of booking and itemised on the receipt, charged us waiting when we stopped to buy lunch at our choice of place even though we cut the tour short and came back by midday.
We wrote to the owner immediately after who has acknowledged our email that but hasn’t provided any explanation whatsoever. We sent a follow up email and the owner responded by saying that tour guide is sick and can’t be contacted.
Other than this tour we enjoyed our time in Nadi and Denarau island. Fiji is a really nice place to visit, locals are friendly, food is amazing but be careful and do your research before buying any tours from the local operators.
We wrote to the owner immediately after who has acknowledged our email that but hasn’t provided any explanation whatsoever. We sent a follow up email and the owner responded by saying that tour guide is sick and can’t be contacted.
Other than this tour we enjoyed our time in Nadi and Denarau island. Fiji is a really nice place to visit, locals are friendly, food is amazing but be careful and do your research before buying any tours from the local operators.
Written February 22, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Turangahakoa B
1 contribution
Jul 2023 • Family
Beware there are 3 different handcraft authentic souvenir shops that force you into this buying their stuff overly price. Starts off they stalk you and greet you very nicely and take you to those shops and do a budget kava ceremony and while that’s happening they speak business with you during it asking the other co-workers to get some gifts for you (me/customer) without you actually seeing the price on the stickers cause your sitting down… once you go up to the counter it’s twice the price on where actually you could buy it for cheaper and more decent at a place called Jacks or duty free! Or even at certain resorts you stay at is cheaper and you actually get to watch them carve it and you know your money if going back to the master carver.
So highly recommend to stay from those shops and watch out for scammers.
So highly recommend to stay from those shops and watch out for scammers.
Written July 24, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Toby S
Perth, Australia139 contributions
Feb 2023 • Couples
Avoid at all costs. Shifty little weasels pressuring nice people to buy their cheap fake wares. Same tired lies about how they are authentic items from the villages and if you bit them you'll be helping the villagers. $195 for a small black and white print! Seriously.
In Australia, genuine art and other items come with a certificate of authenticity and chain of custody is available. Nothing like this here. Tourist trap scam.
Knock it down, start again.
In Australia, genuine art and other items come with a certificate of authenticity and chain of custody is available. Nothing like this here. Tourist trap scam.
Knock it down, start again.
Written February 5, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Laura H
Ridgefield, WA35 contributions
Aug 2024 • Family
Every time we come to Nadi Fiji, we make it a point to stop and purchase authentic art and crafts. Ranjita, Saul and Reena take the time to educate on the rituals and customs of Fiji and go out of their way to make you feel the Fijian welcome. Most importantly it is a better price point and the money goes directly to the families
Written September 1, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Chris W
Budapest, Hungary539 contributions
May 2024 • Family
The Handicraft Market in Nadi disappoints with a 1/5 rating, falling victim to its status as a tourist trap. With only a handful of stores, it lacks variety and authenticity. Moreover, the aggressive sales tactics of vendors detract from the shopping experience. Visitors are likely to leave feeling underwhelmed and pressured into making purchases they didn't intend. For a more genuine and enjoyable shopping excursion, travelers are advised to explore alternative markets in the area.
Written May 23, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Celeste D
Crib Point, Australia206 contributions
Mar 2014 • Family
After an exhaustive amount of time on the internet before travelling to Fiji, in search of a decent price for Hair Braiding, my cherubs and I found the perfect person, Asena, at the Handicraft Market in Nadi Town.
The Handicraft market is a one-stop-shop for bargains consisting of beautiful Fijian wooden crafts, Fijian paintings, sulus and sarongs, costume jewellry and genuine pearl jewellry, Fijian woven crafts including baskets, hats, fans, and coconut handicrafts.
My children's and I were fortunate to meet Asena in the street whilst we were heading downtown toward the market. She overheard my daughter's excitement in getting her hair braided. Our resort was quoting over $150- FJD for her full head of corn braids. I knew that we could do better. Asena quoted us $35- FJD and we booked an appointment immediately.
It took over 4 hours for my daughter's hair to be finished. Everyone was sooo impressed. I chose to pay Asena more, as she did an excellent job. And, my son then asked if he could get his hair done, so we booked another appointment the following day.
I highly recommend this market. The stallholders encourage bargaining, and if you get there early, you will surely hear, "First customer, good luck, I give you a very good price!"
Tip: The Handicraft Market is directly over the road from the Westpac Bank
The Handicraft market is a one-stop-shop for bargains consisting of beautiful Fijian wooden crafts, Fijian paintings, sulus and sarongs, costume jewellry and genuine pearl jewellry, Fijian woven crafts including baskets, hats, fans, and coconut handicrafts.
My children's and I were fortunate to meet Asena in the street whilst we were heading downtown toward the market. She overheard my daughter's excitement in getting her hair braided. Our resort was quoting over $150- FJD for her full head of corn braids. I knew that we could do better. Asena quoted us $35- FJD and we booked an appointment immediately.
It took over 4 hours for my daughter's hair to be finished. Everyone was sooo impressed. I chose to pay Asena more, as she did an excellent job. And, my son then asked if he could get his hair done, so we booked another appointment the following day.
I highly recommend this market. The stallholders encourage bargaining, and if you get there early, you will surely hear, "First customer, good luck, I give you a very good price!"
Tip: The Handicraft Market is directly over the road from the Westpac Bank
Written March 26, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Donna R
Nelson, New Zealand525 contributions
May 2015 • Couples
We where staying in Denarau and decided to go to Nadi for some souvenirs as you do when your on holiday. We were warned by other holiday makers to stay clear of Nadi but I was really keen to check out Nadi so we jumped on the yellow bus from Denarau only cost $1.00 per person each way cheap way to get around Denarau and Nadi. I was really excited to when we got to Nadi and thought this is not so bad over the Indians seem to have most of the shops on the main street and they try and entice you to come in to their shops you kinda get use to seeing this every where you go in Nadi. I'm sure they have people listening into your conversation as you are walking along the streets they either walk behind you or beside you. We had this friendly fijian man approach us and tell us that the fijians and indians dont like each other and that we should not go into their stores and then he asked if he could direct us to the fijians markets we thought way not we intended on going to the market any and didn't think any thing of it. We arrived at the market people so friendly and welcoming had a look around I saw this awesome carving of a turtle I asked women how much she said that it was cheap and I will give you a good price. Because they are so friendly I didn't even consider that they were going to be ripped me off I really thought that they were good people. We even had our names in graved on the carving when it come to paying we couldn't believe the price we were so shocked we are good honest people and I think that they saw that and took advantage of our good will. We will never return back to Nadi I feel so hurt and ripped off and we couldn't get over that we had been done for, by the beautiful fijians such a shame. Anyway, what is done is done and we have learnt our lesson not to trust some of the fijians in Nadi. We did find out later on that you can contact the tourist police and they will return your purchase and get your money back bit late for us as we were leaving that day. If this does happen to you have a talk to either the police in Nadi or your manager at your accommodation and they will get on to it for you, good luck people and be very aware, this could happen to you or it already has but I hope not.
Written June 14, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jeff H
7 contributions
Sep 2018 • Solo
A man approached me and struck up a conversation, then invited me into his shop because he wanted to show me his village on the map. He introduced me to several other people and they gave me a welcome kava ceremony. It was a cool experience, however nothing in life is free. There was definitely an unstated pressure to buy a souvenir. It would have been awkward not to, and the guy followed me around the store trying to talk me into the most expensive things ($200+). He said they were handcarved and he could carve an inscription. I bought a small bowl for $35 (was priced at $55). I later saw the same bowl in about a dozen other places for ~$10. In general, just be very wary of extremely friendly people approaching you - they usually want something (money).
Written September 5, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Al2go
Gold Coast, Australia247 contributions
Mar 2016 • Couples
We like to support local Fijians but I did find the traders very pushy and will take advantage if they can so I was forced into Asian Bargaining mode which is a pity as we have meet a lot o lovely people out side of the main cities, also be careful if a carver asks your name as they will quickly carve your name on what ever and want to charge you a heap of money for it, Mind you the Indian Taxi Driver are worst they will befriend you than rip you off. If you found this helpful please press the helpful button
Written March 18, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
David K
Thornleigh, Australia35 contributions
Nov 2016 • Couples
We wandered through town and we were hasseled by guys taking us to true Fiji owned handcrafts which was rubbish. If you visit Nadi town go to this market and at stall 19 is Tim who actually carved a pattern in the turtle we selected as we waited and watched. He is a true craftsman. You can get him to personalise any item he sells and as the timber is treated we had no issue with Australian customs. If you want a true hand-crafted souvenir Tims your guy.
Written November 23, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi, does anyone know if this market is open on Christmas or Boxing Day 2018?
Thanks
Emily
Written December 2, 2018
Hi I am visiting Fiji shortly. I want to know whether this place sells musical instruments such as toy drums that I can buy as a gift for my 10-month old grand daughter?
Written August 17, 2018
I’m sure there is one stall or maybe 2 that sells small musical instruments. From memory there is one at the very back of the market and one of the free standing buildings sell ukuleles and small drums.
Written August 20, 2018
we are presently staying at Dennaru Island at Hilto resort, I ahve visited most of the resorts (about &) and have found the resorts are letting handicraft stalls at all of them. Its great to see these stalls just outside the exclusive shops at the resorts.Also I think this has made some of the shop owners willing to bargain
after reading about nandi markets i think I will support the stall out here, also the Bulla bus ride in to the Port gives you great savings on food and drink
cant believe $14 of small bottle of mineral water, Fiji Water needs to learn how to produce mineral water
Am I expressing the view of most Visitors??????????
Written April 24, 2016
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