Love shopping at the Rivas open market. They have so many shops and the local food is Amazing. Great deals and very friendly and helpful (patient) merchants.
Thanks for sharing this shopping trip to Rivas... you often hear expats talking about shopping in Rivas, but it's a bit different than I had pictured it... perhaps I'm just used to seeing the smaller and less crowded Municipal Market in SJDS 😉 Cheers! ✌🏻😎
We were really blown away the first time we went to the Rivas market. It was so much bigger than we imagined it to be. They pretty much sell everything at this market and it is "the place" to buy many items. It is best to ask for directions if you are looking for something specific, since the market is so large and some vendors have items that you would not assume by looking at the store front, then you go in back and there are a tone of other, sometimes unrelated items. One piece of advice is to look for some land marks to remember where you parked (if driving yourself), it is very easy to get turned around in the market and many of the streets in that area look very similar.
You can haggle a little bit but we have found that generally the initial pricing is pretty good. The best time to ask for a deal is if you are buying multiple items from one vendor. It also really helps to know what the "going rate" is for items, then you will know if the price is fair.
Cindy, not sure of the exact opening time, since it is all individual vendors. But for sure thi gs start opening by 7am and by 8am the market would be in full swing. Some stalls may be open late but many would close when it gets dark.
I believe the markets in Masya or in Managua (Roberto Humbes) is the best place to look for hammock. They don't have nice ones in Rivas. There are also places that can make the exact hammock (styles and colour you want). I can't remember the name, but if you ask the question in the San Juan expats Facebook groups someone will know.
Love shopping at the Rivas open market. They have so many shops and the local food is Amazing. Great deals and very friendly and helpful (patient) merchants.
Thanks for sharing this shopping trip to Rivas... you often hear expats talking about shopping in Rivas, but it's a bit different than I had pictured it... perhaps I'm just used to seeing the smaller and less crowded Municipal Market in SJDS 😉
Cheers! ✌🏻😎
We were really blown away the first time we went to the Rivas market. It was so much bigger than we imagined it to be. They pretty much sell everything at this market and it is "the place" to buy many items. It is best to ask for directions if you are looking for something specific, since the market is so large and some vendors have items that you would not assume by looking at the store front, then you go in back and there are a tone of other, sometimes unrelated items. One piece of advice is to look for some land marks to remember where you parked (if driving yourself), it is very easy to get turned around in the market and many of the streets in that area look very similar.
Do you pay the asking price in the mercado or try to haggle for a lower price?
You can haggle a little bit but we have found that generally the initial pricing is pretty good. The best time to ask for a deal is if you are buying multiple items from one vendor. It also really helps to know what the "going rate" is for items, then you will know if the price is fair.
I saw someone riding a scooter with the backpack in the front. Is that to protect from theft?
Not for protection, you typically see that when there are more than one person riding on the bike, it gives them more room on the seat.
When is the Rivas Market open?
Cindy, not sure of the exact opening time, since it is all individual vendors. But for sure thi gs start opening by 7am and by 8am the market would be in full swing. Some stalls may be open late but many would close when it gets dark.
Donde ESTA ubicado ese mercado m urge comprar una hamaca
I believe the markets in Masya or in Managua (Roberto Humbes) is the best place to look for hammock. They don't have nice ones in Rivas. There are also places that can make the exact hammock (styles and colour you want). I can't remember the name, but if you ask the question in the San Juan expats Facebook groups someone will know.