Tonga Shopping and nightlife

Shopping in Tonga

Special purchases are hand-decorated and woven tapa cloth, woven floor coverings, Ta'ovala pandanus mats, woven pandanus baskets, 'Ali Baba' laundry baskets, polished coconut-shell goblets and ashtrays, model outrigger canoes, ornaments, brooches, earrings, rings and silver-inlaid knives. Tongan stamps and coins are collectors' items; complete sets are on sale at the philatelic section of the Tongan Treasury. There are duty-free shops on Tongatapu and Vava'u. A government tax of 5% is added to all bills for goods and services.

Shopping hours

Mon-Fri 0800-1700, Sat 0800-1200.

Nightlife in Tonga

Nightlife is sedate, limited to music and dancing in the hotels, clubs and occasionally at the Yacht Club. Floorshows are held on some nights in the main hotels and the Tongan National Centre. Tongan feasts and entertainment are also organised.