Masai Central Market
Masai Central Market
4
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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.
Popular mentions
4.0
71 reviews
Excellent
22
Very good
31
Average
10
Poor
4
Terrible
4
ClaireBintheWorld
Houston, TX15 contributions
Jul 2021
While this was my first time to Africa, and I obviously stick out like a sore thumb, I felt harassed. I felt pressured to buy things and the word NO had no meaning to anyone. It didn't matter if I walked away or went to some other place, or say no repeatedly, I was still harassed and pestered. I was harassed even by people not selling anything for some scam or gimmick. I did not feel safe nor with my teenage kids with me. We left quickly as it was very uncomfortable experience and ended up not buying anything because of the begging and lack of safety. With Covid all around, it felt more unsafe.
Written August 23, 2021
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.
Peterbjrk
Munich, Germany18 contributions
Jan 2016 • Couples
Narrow alleys filled with various goods.
The market is a really nice place with friendly local people!
... but some of them will try to sell their stuff for incredible prices.
Don't go with any fixers to the market, they seem friendly but they'll
only try to get higher prices! Always pay in Tsh - much cheaper!
Here some useful local prices:
Egg ~ 400 Tsh
Banana ~ 200 Tsh
Lemon ~ 200 Tsh
Avocado ~ big 1000 Tsh / small 500 Tsh
Mango ~ big 1000 Tsh / small 200 Tsh
Whatever they say ("it's not seasonal now; the price has risen")
these prices above are the real local prices!
The market is a really nice place with friendly local people!
... but some of them will try to sell their stuff for incredible prices.
Don't go with any fixers to the market, they seem friendly but they'll
only try to get higher prices! Always pay in Tsh - much cheaper!
Here some useful local prices:
Egg ~ 400 Tsh
Banana ~ 200 Tsh
Lemon ~ 200 Tsh
Avocado ~ big 1000 Tsh / small 500 Tsh
Mango ~ big 1000 Tsh / small 200 Tsh
Whatever they say ("it's not seasonal now; the price has risen")
these prices above are the real local prices!
Written February 11, 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.
trilete
Spokane, WA58 contributions
Aug 2012 • Friends
Lots of street hustlers ready to offer you ANYTHING (legal that is). I personally wouldn't buy any street food, but there are lots of trinkets & souvenirs you can find. Be ready to haggle hard - I was offered a street painting for $120 - I later bargained another guy down to 2 for $20 (USD). Be ready to walk away and thats the key to haggling with these guys.
Written September 5, 2012
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.
Darnel-HDI
Jakarta, Indonesia2,126 contributions
Nov 2016 • Couples
One of the object I like to visit in a city is public market. This central market is real Afrikan. You will find everything, vegetables, fruits, fishes, mears etc.People are nice, please buy sumthing to support them.
Written January 9, 2017
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.
Mohammed A
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia278 contributions
Sep 2016 • Friends
The place with real feel of Africa, it is very busy but always nice to interact with locals and see their daily struggle, you will find nice people there, you can have a chat with them, support them by buying some of their items, just watch out and keep close eye on your belongings, it happens in any crowded place in the world.
Written October 11, 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.
halfadime
York, PA55 contributions
Aug 2013 • Solo
I like to visit the local markets in the cities I visit to get a better perspective on how the people live and what they eat. The Central Market in Arusha is operated by locals for locals, not tourists. It is crowded and quite noisy, but I loved seeing the piles of fresh produce along with some live animals.
It was also interesting to see where some of the second hand clothing donated by people like me in the United States is resold for a profit. When in Arusha, I saw locals wearing everything from old boy scout uniforms complete with badges to high school sports jackets from Idaho. One man who could not speak English was even wearing an "I am proud to be an American" red, white and blue t-shirt with no idea of what it actually said.
All I bought was some coffee to take back home, but it was nevertheless an experience if you are truly interested in learning about the place you are visiting.
It was also interesting to see where some of the second hand clothing donated by people like me in the United States is resold for a profit. When in Arusha, I saw locals wearing everything from old boy scout uniforms complete with badges to high school sports jackets from Idaho. One man who could not speak English was even wearing an "I am proud to be an American" red, white and blue t-shirt with no idea of what it actually said.
All I bought was some coffee to take back home, but it was nevertheless an experience if you are truly interested in learning about the place you are visiting.
Written September 15, 2013
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.
helderveiga75
Dunkirk, France250 contributions
Dec 2019 • Solo
I visit the market on my last day in Arusha and it's the best place to buy souvenirs.
It's not the stupid prices they have in the local tribes.
So many stores to choose and very quality pieces.
I recommend
It's not the stupid prices they have in the local tribes.
So many stores to choose and very quality pieces.
I recommend
Written December 19, 2019
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.
IN_Travelers47906
West Lafayette, IN4,717 contributions
Aug 2018 • Couples
We love markets and visit whenever we can. This one did not disappoint; however, a first-time American tourist will definitely not want to visit this market without the company of a local guide. We had an experienced local guide who parked across the street in a secured lot where the vehicle was under constant watch. As we passed through the very busy and crowded market we stood out as obvious tourists but taking reasonable precautions of keeping our valuables close to our bodies, we did not feel at all threatened in the company of our guide.
The market itself is a sensory amusement park with the sounds, sights, colors and smells of produce, products, seeds, beans, clothing, fabrics, foods, and craft goods of all kinds shipped in from all over Tanzania. It was our understanding that very few farmers or craftsmen were actually present, but that the vendors were people paid to sell the goods, or who rented their area and sold goods on consignment. You can easily spend as much time at this market as you want; however, a 1-hour walk through was plenty for us to get a good feel for the market and the people.
The market itself is a sensory amusement park with the sounds, sights, colors and smells of produce, products, seeds, beans, clothing, fabrics, foods, and craft goods of all kinds shipped in from all over Tanzania. It was our understanding that very few farmers or craftsmen were actually present, but that the vendors were people paid to sell the goods, or who rented their area and sold goods on consignment. You can easily spend as much time at this market as you want; however, a 1-hour walk through was plenty for us to get a good feel for the market and the people.
Written October 11, 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.
wandis2020
108 contributions
Jun 2018 • Friends
Bustling and wonderful cacophony of sounds and aromas and colors and movement all around. FRIENDLY bargaining is expected. A fun place to gather a few mementos of the Arusha experience.
Written August 1, 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.
GRIMS
Island of Malta, Malta1,062 contributions
Jul 2018 • Family
Interesting and colourful market place, mostly for the locals but managed to find a few items. The stalls are basically all selling the same stuff but we enjoyed the bargaining. It is expected to bargain as long as you do it with respect and with a smile.
Written July 31, 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.
Is the market open every day?
Thanks
Ann.
Written March 9, 2017
YES, it is opened everyday; we went alone without any guide (dressed as Indian girls, of course) and there was no trouble at all
Written August 15, 2017
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