Enjoy Indonesia

A. Overview

Everytime visiting a new place, it is a must for the visitors to go to the souvenir shops. If you have only little time, of course the souvenir shop in the hotel you are staying will do. The prices are comparably higher for sure than those outside the hotel and it will not give you a special memory like when you spend some time visiting traditional markets to hunt for unique objects.

There are of course wider array of choices for you in either traditional markets or art markets and it is more fun as well. In Yogyakarta, there are Malioboro and Beringharjo Market to shop for relatively low-priced souvenirs. Besides, there is also Gabusan Art Market that provides miscelaneous handicrafts that are unique and interesting. Not only in Jogja, however, in Bali there is also a traditional market providing various special Balinese handicrafts you can bring home as gifts for relatives. The shopping center is Sukawati Art Market.

Sukawati Art Market is a traditional market situated in Sukawati Subdistrict. The market has been operating since 1980s, but the precise date is unknown. Over the course of time, Sukawati Art Market has undergone a speedy development that today, it is the central market for special Balinese souvenirs. It has also become one of Balinese tourism icons. Most tourists visiting Bali will likely spend some time in Sukawati Art Market. When they get home, they will often say to they friends, “If you are in Bali, never miss Sukawati Market.”

B. Features

For shopper-tourists, Sukawati Art Market is heaven. It has everything you need. Keychains, barong t-shirts, accessories, paintings, bags, aromatherapeutic candles, sculptures, bed covers, or even household appliances, all you can find in Sukawati Art Market. The objects are all labelled “made in Bali”. You will have choices of objects and get what you need and like.

If you find the price is too expensive, you should never feel ashamed of bargaining. Most vendors here will not get irritated if you bargain with a very low price. The smarter you are in bargaining, the lower the price you wil get. If you are not good at bargaining, it is possible that you will buy an object at a higher price than normal.

The best time to go for shopping in Sukawati Art Market is in the morning at around 08 a.m. to 10 a.m. Central Indonesia Standard Time. This is after the vendors finish their prayer and just open their kiosks. According to their beliefs, the first object sold will bring them luck for the day. For that reason, vendors usually sell their merchandises at a low price.

In the market, there are two kinds of vendors, namely those who sell things in a kiosks or stands and those travelling salesmen, also known as “acung” vendors. There are approximately 70 acung vendors in the market. They usually sell things by approaching the buyers or tourists who just come off the cars or buses. If you do not want to get exhausted walking around the market, the acung vendors will be very helpful as it is them who approach you.

C. Location

Sukawati Art Market is situated at Desa Sukawati, Sukawati District, Gianyar Regency, Bali, Indonesia.

D. Access

Sukawati souvenir center lies about 15 kilometers north or approximately 20 minutes from Denpasar. If you come from Ngurah Rai Airport or Kuta Beach, it will take around an hour to get to the location. As the market is one of tourists’ favorite destinations, the access to the place is quite easy.

E. Ticket

You will not be charged to enter Sukawati Art Market except if you bring a private transportation vehicle. In that case, you will have to pay for parking. Sukawati Art Market opens daily from 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. Central Indonesia Standard Time. However in Nyepi and Galungan religious holidays, there will be no activity in the market.

F. Accomodations and Facilities

As an icon of Bali tourism, Sukawati Art Market has been equipped with standard facilities such as wide parking lot and public convenience. There are also homestays and restaurants around the place.

Source : Wisata Melayu