The Marché Central (Central Market) is Douala's main market and one of the largest in Central Africa. A sprawling, tightly packed complex near the Akwa district bus station, it sells everything from fresh produce and dried fish to textiles, electronics, household goods, and second-hand clothing. Go in the morning before the heat peaks and the crowds become overwhelming.
The market is divided roughly into zones: fresh food in one section, cloth traders in another, and hardware and small goods toward the outer edges. Prices are negotiated. The smell — a combination of smoked fish, spices, engine oil, and tropical heat — is intense and memorable. Pickpockets operate here, so leave valuables at the hotel. Bring small denomination CFA francs and a willingness to bargain.