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If one wishes to experience the true element of Latin American markets, Mexico is the ultimate destination. Having an authentic local essence, Mexican traditional markets have a lot of fresh farm produce, meat, local food items, souvenirs, esoteric essentials, artisanal goods, jewelry, clothing, and much more. Since Aztec times, Mexico has been a prime center of commerce, and thus, Mexican markets have been an adventure in themselves.

About Markets In Mexico

The traditional fixed markets in Mexico are termed”mercados públicos" (public markets), "mercados municipales" (municipal markets), or "mercados'' (markets) solely, while “Tianguis'' are open-air markets that are held on certain days tracing their roots in Prehispanic culture. Pertaining food markets in Mexico are of two types: Ambulant Market Stalls and Fixed Market Stalls. The former moves from place to place within the town and sets its stalls on a weekly basis, while the latter is located in an open stone building operating six days a week. Nevertheless, a few Mexican Markets worth visiting are as follows.

A Market For Food Connoisseurs

Started as a small-scale tianguis around 150 years ago, Mercado de San Juan is a market to find fresh vegetables, imported food ingredients, high-end products, seafood, meat, and everything for food connoisseurs. Known as a chef's market, this place is indeed a gourmet destination primarily. Built in 1955, this place is the oldest municipal market in Mexico.

What The Market Is Famous For?

This market is composed of two buildings where one focuses on the raw ingredients while the other focuses on serving full meals. Also, this place is officially known as “Ernesto Pugibet” and is notoriously known, especially for providing any type of meat ranging from goat, duck, wild boar, or crocodile. This place is home to international and exotic ingredients, creepy crawlies such as scorpions, tarantulas, cockroaches, and ants, as well as fresh and dry produce for vegetarians.

Hours Of Operation: 7 am to 5 pm daily

A Market For Esoteric Stuff

This market boasts of its exotic nature owing to the mysterious stuff it displays for exhibition. Known as "Mercado de Sonora," and locally as “Witchcraft Market,” this place sells esoteric stuff. Here, the local vendors have solutions to any problems in one's life. There are different types of vernacular religions in the Sonora market, from Vodoo to la Santa Muerte, as well as intriguing rituals practiced here. It is the city's traditional market which is located southeast of the historic city of Mexico.

What The Market Is Famous For?

From herbal remedies to curing various disorders varying from cough, cold, and stress to obesity as well as clay pots, fancy dress attires, colorful candles, magical powders, and potions to attract the good things, love, affluence in one’s life, also soap to cure baldness and so on, this market is selling intriguing materials. As curious as this may sound, one should know how to make fair use of these ingredients for the right effect. Nevertheless, healers, wizards, witches, and shamans can also be hired at this market.

Hours of Operation

Every day - 7 am to 9 pm.

Related: 10 Unique Things To Experience In Mexico City

A Market With 100 Years Of History

A 100-year-old market, Mercado de Coyoacan is famous for its color, folklore, fresh vegetables, and traditions. The market has been special for selling things related to festivities. Restaurants and cafés have lined the streets, which have traditional murals. Iconic artists such as Trotsky and Frieda Kahlo sought inspiration in this area.

What The Market Is Famous For?

Be it clothing, Mexican toys, artisanal goods, full meals, also traditional items of Mexican festivals, this market exudes a truly local experience. The alleys over here are quite narrow, though, but it still remains the most iconic shopping destination in Mexico.

Hours Of Operation: 8 am to 8 pm

A Modern Market Infused With International Cuisine

If one does not have a penchant for chaotic traditional markets, Mercado Roma is a modern and organized version of the food market. A gourmet market serving international and fusion cuisine, it is a place for sipping on refreshing drinks and a variety of food items over the local ones on a buzzing street. This project is considered a contemporary market of Mexico that has restaurants and roof decks.

What The Market Is Famous For?

Be it Sushi Burritos, Vegan Tacos, Mexican Macaroons, or a rooftop beer garden, this place spells C-O-O-L in every possible way. The best part of this place is that it is open till late, making it available for parties after sunset as well.

Hours Of Operation: 9 am to 7.30 pm

The Market Of Fragrance

The city’s most fragrant, colorful spot with rare species of flowers, Mercado Jamaica is the market beholding the region’s native flora. Roses, Lilies, Daisies, Ferns, Violets, Mexican Marigolds, this place is a traditional market that began in 1950. Apart from this, the market is also famous for souvenirs and meat products as well. The main purpose of this market was to urbanize the markets around 1950.

What The Market Is Famous For?

Having almost 5000 types of different flowers and plants, it also has some local food stalls. Being the city’s principal market, this place is quite vibrant and exotic in nature. This market is for flower arrangements, ornamental plants, and selling cut flowers and accessories.

Related: Summer Getaway: These Top 3 Mexico Spots Should Be On Your Radar

The Fun Little Famer’s Market

Tianguis is an open-air bazaar of Mexico held on certain days, and Tuesday Tianguis in Condesa is one of them. Tianguis holds a lot of importance in Aztec culture, and this ritual continues to date. Every Tuesday, side blocks of west Condesa are reserved for Farmer's Market. Tianguis has been a ritual in Mexico for 500 years and continue to date.

What The Market Is Famous For?

Every Tuesday, a variety of stalls ranging from meat, fruits, vegetables, and dairy products are on display by indigenous women. Tianguis is a great way to have a glimpse of local Mexican life and buy fresh veggies, cheap clothing, exotic spices, perfumes, and so on.

Hours of Operation

Every Tuesday: 10 am to 5 pm

Mexico’s Sunday Market

This market in México, La Lagunilla, started as a local tianguis with the history of the pre-Hispanic period. Be it antiques, furniture, vintage clothes, or jewelry; this place is the Sunday bazaar with everything and anything. It is a traditional public market in Mexico which is one of the largest and is located about north of the city's main plaza.

What The Market Is Famous For?

This market is one of the largest and is divided into three sections: clothing, furniture, and food items. The market starts early in the morning.

Hours of operation: Every Sunday

Mexico’s Indigenous Market

San Cristóbal de las Casas (Chiapas, Mexico) are some fascinating Mayan villages with bustling indigenous markets with traders in traditional clothing. These markets exude a sense of the diversity of the region and are quite vibrant during Mayan festival days.

What The Market Is Famous For?

Apart from being an incredible place to eat, this place sells pottery, genre dolls, traditional clothing, and artisanal goods. If one wishes to see the essence of real Mayan culture, this should be the go-to place.