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Visiting local markets is one of my favorite things to do anywhere in the world. And Mexico City’s mercados are some of the best!
According to the official CDMX website, there are over 400 mercados, or public markets in Mexico City. Over 80 of these markets were built during a market construction boom in the 1950’s and 1960’s. Others date even further back to the Porfiriato. You can find more information on the Historic Mexico City Markets on the government website.
I certainly have not visited all the markets in Mexico City (I mean, who has?), but I’ve been to quite a few, and some of them many times.
I’ve picked out a few of my favorite mercados that I think you should explore on your next visit to Mexico City. They are all a little different and each one is worthwhile.
How to visit markets in Mexico City
It’s easy enough to visit the markets on your own and/or on a tour. I think you’ll get some insights on a tour that you just won’t get on your own.
So take one of the tours recommended here, then use the information in this article to plan a few additional mercado adventures on your own.
Visit the markets on a tour
If you have the budget and are willing to plan ahead, taking a tour will give you a great introduction to some of the best markets in Mexico City. Some markets are huge and can feel overwhelming, so it’s great to be guided through by someone who knows all the market’s nooks and crannies. On most tours you also get to sample specialty foods along the way; you probably wouldn’t do as much of that on your own!
Market tour with Eat Like a Local
Eat Like a Local is a Mexican women-owned and operated tour company that specializes in food tours in Mexico City. They work with women and girls from the Mercado Merced who join the tours to practice their English or participate as assistant guides (but also visit other markets).
Their Mexican Food 101 – Markets + Street Food will take you to Mercado Merced and Mercado Jamaica. These 4-hour tours are in small groups, taking public transportation, and having you taste all kinds of food along the way. It’s a classic!
Eat Like a Local tours are typically US$110 and up per person.
Market tour through Get Your Guide
I’ll always recommend a local socially conscious enterprise like Eat Like a Local over a global behemoth like Get Your Guide…but that doesn’t mean GTG doesn’t also offer good tours led by great local guides.
If you want to visit the slightly creepy Mercado Sonora, The Mexico City: La Merced & Sonora Market Guided Culinary Tour gets great reviews. It is usually led by a guide who basically grew up in the market. I visited Mercado Sonora on my own and would have much preferred having a guide (next time!).
A tour like this is a bit more budget-friendly, at around US$70 per person for four hours.
Visit the markets on your own
Tours make for a great introduction to a market, but it’s also wonderful to just wander around on your own. Unless they are super busy, vendors are typically happy to answer questions, or give you a taste of something. You should buy something every now and then as well. The vendors, after all, are not there for your entertainment—they are there to sell!
If you can avoid it, don’t visit the market around closing time. I’ve made that mistake a few times, and you really don’t get the full experience of the market. Go at least one hour before closing time.
Mercado Jamaica
Mercado Jamaica (pronounced ha-MAY-ee-ka, not like the country Jamaica) will knock your little socks off! The main event here is the wholesale flower market. It is MASSIVE, with lots of different sections, each one kind of a market unto itself.
And wow! Rows and rows of perfect flowers in perfect arrangements. Gerber daisies, sunflowers, lilies, calla lilies, roses—you name it! And while it’s primarily a wholesale market, you can still buy a bunch of flowers for just yourself.
It is super easy to get lost in this market, but that’s half the fun. All that to say that if you see something you want to buy, just get it because you might never find your way back to it.
If you can find your way out of the flowers, the market also has areas selling fresh fruits and veggies, and another section selling meats. As with any good market, you can also find a few places to sit down and enjoy some tacos and other classic Mexican offerings.
It’s also a good spot to pick up some housewares (if you can find that section).
We came at Christmas time and there was also a huge selection of piñatas, and candy to stuff into the piñatas.
Outside they were selling beautiful real Christmas trees (from Canada!) and some snazzy pink ones—no watering required!
If you want help navigating the market, take the Mexican Food 101 tour with EatLikeALocal (you’ll also visit other markets). They know where the elusive green chorizo vendor is!
Mercado Jamaica Hours
Mercado Jamaica is open every day 24 hours a day. That said, I would recommend going during normal daytime hours.
How to get to Mercado Jamaica
Mercado Jamaica is located in the Jamaica neighborhood, east of downtown. There isn’t much reason to go to this area other than the market (as a tourist, at least).
The closest metro stop is Jamaica (brown Linea 9 and light blue Linea 4). The Linea 9 exit is a little closer to the market (the official website says it’s under the market…but I have never found that one). It’s easy to get disoriented inside the market (so many flowers!) and find the right exit near the metro. Just get outside and you’ll be able to find your way more easily.
Mercado la Merced
Mercado la Merced is the second largest market in Mexico City (after Central de Abastos). It’s huge. It actually served as the main wholesale distribution center for Mexico City before the Central de Abastos was developed.
Unlike most other markets, Mercado Merced has become a collection of markets that takes up a few city blocks.
And while the whole point of establishing market buildings was to bring vendors inside and provide more sanitary conditions, there are still plenty of vendors outside this massive market. The more the merrier, right?
The main market building (Nave Mayor) has a mix of wholesale products and traditional market stalls selling fruits and vegetables. There are also some sections with prepared food stalls in case you need an emergency taco.
The northwest corner of the market, where you will likely enter if you walk from the Zócalo, is full of candy. This is the Mercado de Dulces, the perfect place to go if you need to fill a few piñatas. If you do come in this way, it can be a bit tricky to find the actual Mercado Merced. Just keep going east and/or ask for directions.
At the northern section of the market is the Mercado de Comidas, where you can buy fun and delicious prepared foods. It can be a little tricky to find.
In a separate building east of the market you’ll find the Mercado Carne, with stall after stall of butcher shops. This place is not for the faint of heart (or vegans/vegetarians)! And the floors can get a little slick.
The main building of Mercado Merced is a bit dark and dingy, despite the soaring ceilings. I mean, it’s been there since 1957. Depending on what section you are in, it can get crowded and busy, and the aisles are quite narrow. Workers are on the move carting goods from one end to the other—get out of their way!
People say to watch out for pickpockets. Sure, like in any crowded busy place. But I felt quite safe there.
Mercado la Merced Hours
Mercado la Merced is open every day from 5:30am to 6:00pm. Hours at the various side markets may vary a little.
How to get to Mercado la Merced
Mercado la Merced is located in the old Merced neighborhood (Alcaldia Venustiano Carranza), about a 20-minute walk southeast of the Zócalo. If you enter too far north you will find yourself in the candy section and will have to find your way through the sweet maze to the main market.
The closest metro stop is Merced (pink Linea 1). The metro entrance pops up smack in the middle of the Nave Mayor, the main area of the market.
Tours of Mercado la Merced
I’ve been to Mercado la Merced a few times on my own and honestly I’d like to go with a guide next time. The market is so massive and there are so many little specialty areas to explore. I feel like I’ve only seen a fraction of it. In fact, I didn’t even know about the Mercado de Comidas before writing this article, so I really want to go on a tour next time to find out what else I don’t know!
Mercado Medellín
Mercado Medellín is a traditional neighborhood market with everything you need, including fruits, vegetables, meats, spices, flowers, and a good selection of prepared food vendors (there are even a few upstairs).
The main differentiator of this market is that it carries specialty products from other countries in Latin America, especially Cuba, Colombia, Peru, and Venezuela. You know, in case you need an Inca Kola fix. But honestly, you probably wouldn’t even notice that if you weren’t specifically looking for it.
When we go to Mexico City, we usually stay in Roma Sur/Condesa, so this is basically our neighborhood market. It’s really perfect for your everyday needs. What I like about it is that it feels open and airy, and is not crowded or hectic.
I also went to Mercado Medellin in search of a tailor (sastre), and indeed they have a few of them in the northeastern corner of the market. We have become regulars with Irma—she does quality work!
Mercado Medellín Hours
Mercado Medellín is open every day from 8am to 6pm.
How to get to Mercado Medellín
Mercado Medellin is located in the Roma Sur neighborhood. The closest transit stop is Chilpancingo Metro (Brown Linea 9) or Metrobus (Linea 1), each about a 10-minute walk.
Mercado Coyoacán
Mercado Coyoacán is one of my favorite markets in CDMX. It is bright and airy with high ceilings, and they have a little bit of everything to fill your fridge, pantry, and suitcase. There are several meat, fish and chicken vendors as well as lots of vendors selling spices, fruits, vegetables and flowers — all beautifully presented, as usual. There is even a stall that sells the elusive green chorizo.
Perhaps due its proximity to the Museo Frida Kahlo, they have a pretty good selection of Frida swag. And they also have lots of other souvenirs including traditional Mexican handicrafts and more modern t-shirts. The best spot for souvenirs is the northwest corner of the market, on the left corner if you enter from the park side.
There are lots of great food vendors. The Mercado Coyoacán is especially well-known for tostadas. There are several vendors, but you’ll find the largest and most famous one smack in the middle of the market.
If you are looking for more traditional home cooking, check out Vicky’s food stall at the north entrance to the market for some unusual but delicious foods, like huauzontle (seasonal).
Plan your trip for a weekend so you can also take advantage of the artist market in the park across the street.
Mercado Coyoacán Hours
Mercado Coyoacán is open every day from 7am to 6pm.
How to get to Mercado Coyoacán
Mercado Coyoacán is located in the Coyoacán neighborhood, near Frida Kahlo’s House—make sure you stop into the market on your way to or from the house!
The closest metro stop is Coyoacán (light olive green Linea 3), but at a 25-minute walk, it’s not really close. The little purple 24A bus is a direct shot from Condesa and will get you a little closer.
Mercado de Artesanias de La Ciudadela
Unlike all the other markets on this list, the Mercado de Artesanias de La Ciudadela is not a food market. Instead, this market showcases handicrafts and folk art from all across Mexico and is a great place to do your souvenir shopping. They have something for every taste and budget—and the prices are very reasonable.
This market takes up one full block and has aisles and aisles of colorful handmade goods. You’ll find beautiful pottery (Talavera, barro negro, etc.), textiles, jewelry, huichol beadwork, glassware, wood carvings, and much much more. And weirdly, there are a few musical instrument shops sprinkled here and there.
Make no mistake, this market is 100 percent geared towards tourists. But don’t let that deter you! Prices here are very reasonable, and you won’t find this much selection anywhere else. It’s a great one-stop shop to sample all the incredible handicrafts that Mexico has to offer.
And if you get tired and hungry, there is a cluster of a few small restaurants somewhere in the middle of the market.
Mercado de Artesanias de la Ciudadela Hours
The Mercado de Artesanias de La Ciudadela is open from 10am to 7pm every day except Sunday, when it closes at 6pm.
How to get to Mercado de Artesanias de la Ciudadela
Mercado de Artesanias de La Ciudadela is located in the Centro neighborhood, about a 25-minute walk southeast of the Zócalo. It’s also not far from the Museo de Arte Popular (fittingly).
The closest metro stops are Juarez (olive green Linea 3) and Balderas (pink Linea 1). It is also between the Juarez and Balderas Metrobus stops (Lines 1, 2, and 3).
Other Cool Markets in Mexico City
There are a few other notable markets worth checking out if you have time or are in the area. Some are a bit of an adventure; others are smaller local markets.
Central de Abastos
Tucked away in Iztapalapa on the eastern edge of Mexico City, the Central de Abastos is Mexico City’s massive wholesale distribution center for produce. Some say it is the largest wholesale market in the world!
But even if you don’t need a pallet of garlic, you can do your shopping here. It’s probably the most affordable produce in the city.
I’d recommend taking a tour of the Central de Abastos. It’s a bit of a pain to get to, and it’s a bit confusing to get around due to the sheer scale of the place.
Mercado San Juan Pugibet
Mercado San Juan Pugibet is known on the tourist circuit for its gourmet produce and weird meats. If you want to eat a beetle or a scorpion, this is the place for you!
It’s also known for selling gourmet and imported foods. I saw a surprising number of Spanish tapas-type places.
A few tours will take you here so you can try the weird stuff. Or you can browse on your own.
Mercado de Sonora
Just a few blocks south of the Mercado Merced is the Mercado de Sonora. It’s famous for selling witchcraft and spiritual accessories, and herbs for traditional Mexican medicine.
And also for the sad puppies, cats, and other live animals for sale at the back. I came here around closing time the day before a holiday, so most of the shops were closed or closing up (I did see those sad puppies though). If I were to go again, I would definitely take a tour.
Mercado Juárez
Mercado Juárez sits right on the edge of the trendy Juarez neighborhood. Mercado Juárez is more of a local market with produce and lots of food stalls. It’s a good spot for lunch. I haven’t tried it, but I hear El Ranchito’s barbacoa tacos with consomé are to die for!
I wouldn’t go out of my way for this one, but if you happen to be in the area and fancy a market stroll, it’s worth passing through.
Mercado Michoacan
I like Mercado Michoacan mostly for its architecture. It looks like an art deco movie theater!
The market itself is quite small and cozy, more of a locals market with your basic fruits and veggies. There is a lovely café at the back where you can sit for a while and enjoy a quiet breakfast or cup of coffee.
If you are staying in Roma Norte or Condesa, you’re likely to run across it on a stroll. I wouldn’t go much out of my way to visit though.
Final Thoughts
If you can’t tell, markets are my jam. And Mexico City has some of the best mercados out there. Take a wander through aisles and aisles of ripe and delicious fresh fruits and vegetables, stacked high to attract a buyer’s eye. Buy a few things to try for yourself.
I highly recommend taking a market tour to learn from a local and get the inside scoop on a few of these more overwhelming markets.
If you want to discover even more obscure markets in Mexico City, the government website has some decent information on Historic Mexico City Markets. I haven’t heard of most of them, so they must be pretty obscure!
Which one will you visit first?
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