Visiting Mexican Markets is one of the most enjoyable activities you’ll find south of the border. Most towns in Mexico will have at least one or more public markets where vendors gather to sell everything you can think of, and even some things you would never think of. Some markets only happen once a week when a neighborhood closes down its streets and suddenly transforms into an open air market. Other markets are more permanent, like giant covered malls with food courts, fruit and vegetable stalls, butchers, fresh seafood vendors, hardware salesmen, clothing stalls, and everything else under the sun.
Visiting Mexican Markets
The market featured in the video above is the Mercado Independencia in Morelia, Mexico, which is about two blocks away from the home we are renting for a month in Morelia. It is an amazing market to visit, jam-packed with sights, sounds, and smells that are like a slap in the face. I know a slap in the face doesn’t sound great, but it’s actually pretty invigorating.
Before buying anything, take a nice long cruise around the market and peruse your options. Many vendors sell similar items, so check out stalls for the best selections and prices. Some vendors will not have any prices posted, but some will. Do you like to haggle on price? Then you might be in heaven. I’m not a haggler myself. If the price sounds okay to me, I pay it. Maybe I’ll haggle when my Spanish improves.
Also take note of the vendors with the busiest stalls, especially when buying fresh produce. If it’s popular with locals, then it’s probably where you want to shop, too. That’s especially true when buying prepared foods and meals and dining at food stalls and cafes in the market. Some of the best food we had in Guadalajara was at the food court in Mercado Libertad – San Juan de Dios . That being said, some of the food offerings and haphazard restaurant setups at the market do not inspire confidence, so an outfit that attracts a lot of local patrons is a very good sign.
Everything You Need is at the Public Mercado
Do you tend to over pack clothing when you travel? Fight the urge, and definitely don’t over pack when coming to Mexico. If you get to Mexico and decide you need something extra to wear, you’ll easily find it, and probably at a terrific price. What about shoes? Don’t worry, every other building in Mexico is a shoe store. Not quite, but it sure seems like it.
If you want to see more of the neighborhood surrounding the Mercado Independencia, take a look at the video below of me walking around that area in Morelia.
Even if you’re not looking to buy anything, or looking to sample the market cuisine, you should visit a large local market just for the sensory experience. Sometimes a market is so busy that it’s claustrophobic. The crush of sight and sound and swirling activity drains your senses to the point of exhaustion, but it’s definitely worth it, and you can’t beat the price.
CG and I are traveling long term in Mexico, but we are only carrying the things we need. We’ve been traveling now for more than a year each carrying a single Osprey Porter 30 Travel Backpack. Nothing makes travel more enjoyable than traveling light. You can find more info about our travel packs and the current prices for these packs on Amazon.
One of the best reasons to come to Mexico is the incredible food. Check out this video and blog featuring tips about dining out in restaurants in Mexico.
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