The Lae Main Market is loud, crowded, and genuinely worth a visit. It sits in the centre of town and draws vendors from across the Morobe Province and the Highlands, making it one of the most diverse produce markets in the country. Piles of taro, sweet potato, yams, bananas, and seasonal tropical fruit fill the stalls, along with betel nut, smoked fish, and cooked food.
Go in the morning when the selection is best and the crowds are manageable. Keep your belongings close — the market area can be chaotic and petty theft is a risk. Smaller ward markets scattered around Lae serve the same purpose on a quieter scale, but the main market is the one to see. It is a working market, not a tourist attraction, and that is exactly what makes it interesting.