There are pickpockets. Mokolo market is a big market where you can get anything from food to clothing. Many of the quartiers have their own markets and small shops. Crafts Crafts from the Northwest, West and North can be bought at the artisan tents near Avenue Kennedy. They are not cheap and you should be prepared to haggle to obtain a reasonable price.
Flats are hard to find, particularly secure ones.
Prices range from CFA 150,000 a month for one bed flats, to CFA 300,000 and rising for larger ones. The general view given by people living there and guide books is that Douala is very dangerous, however many also feel this is exaggerated and it is mostly the obviously wealthy people who are targeted for crime. Each quartier has markets and shopping areas. Cotton clothes are essential along the very humid coast, and with regular washing cottons tend to show stress. Good clothes are difficult to buy locally, although a woman s suit can be made for CFA 15,000 and local materials are reasonable.