Mercado 23 is downtown Cancun's traditional food market, in supermanzana 23 near Avenida Tulum and the ADO bus terminal. Locals shop here for fruit, vegetables, meat, spices, flowers and party supplies, and food stalls serve meals. It is more local and cheaper than Mercado 28, which focuses on crafts. Go in the morning and bring cash in pesos.
What is Mercado 23 and where is it?
Mercado 23 is the traditional supply market of downtown Cancun. It sits in supermanzana 23, close to Avenida Tulum and the ADO bus terminal, so it is easy to find if you are arriving or leaving the city by bus. It was not built for tourism: it is where neighbors do their weekly shopping, and that is exactly why it is worth a visit.
If you want to see how Cancun lives beyond the beach, this is one of the best places to do it. Between aisles of fruit and vegetable stands, butchers, herbs and flowers, you hear neighbors chatting, and the kitchens of the small eateries fill the air with the smell of recado and fresh tortillas. It is a good addition if you are planning what to do in downtown Cancun.
What can you buy and eat at Mercado 23?
What is on offer is what the neighborhood needs: fresh produce, ingredients, and items for the home and for parties. For a visitor, the appeal is in looking and tasting. Seasonal fruit, spices and recados for cooking, herbs, fresh flowers and piñatas of every size give you a clear picture of daily local life, and they make for souvenirs unlike the usual tourist fare.
- Seasonal fruit and vegetables, to eat on the spot.
- Spices and recados (seasoning pastes) to take home.
- Herbs and fresh flowers.
- Piñatas and party supplies.
- Fondas and food stalls for lunch the way locals eat it.
For a meal, the fondas serve home-style regional dishes, the kind of cooking you will meet in our guide to Yucatecan food in Cancun. We will not point you to one particular stall: the best approach is to see which one has the most local customers, order calmly and ask what each dish is called. People are usually glad to explain.
Mercado 23 or Mercado 28: which one should you pick?
They serve different needs. Mercado 28 is designed for visitors: mostly crafts and souvenirs, with textiles, hammocks and gifts to take home. Mercado 23, by contrast, is more local and usually cheaper, because what it sells is everyday supplies, not souvenirs. One is for buying keepsakes; the other is for seeing and tasting the real city.
The best answer is to visit both if you have time. Give Mercado 28 a few hours for gift shopping, and make room for Mercado 23 to have breakfast or lunch among locals and see the rhythm of the city. If you want to compare what the other market offers, read our guide to Mercado 28 and Cancun crafts before deciding how to divide your time.
When should you go and how do you get around?
Go in the morning: the produce is fresh, the heat is still bearable and the food stalls are at their best. Hours vary from stall to stall, so there is no single time that works for all of them; if you have something specific in mind, check with the hotel or a local before you go. Wear light clothes and comfortable shoes, and give yourself time to wander without rushing.
Bring cash in pesos, with small bills and coins: that is standard in a market like this, and not every stall takes cards. If you are unsure how much to hand over or how to deal with change, read our guide to money and tipping in Cancun. Ask the price before ordering, be friendly, and if you want to photograph a person or their stall, ask permission first.
Where should you stay to visit Mercado 23?
Since Mercado 23 is a downtown outing, the most practical choice is to stay downtown. Mezcal Boutique Hotel is on Calle Mero 12 at the corner of Avenida Nader, with the ADO bus terminal and Parque de las Palapas a few minutes away on foot. You get a 24-hour front desk, air conditioning and free wifi, and it is easy to combine the market with the rest of the city from here.
After a morning of shopping, you can rest in the urban jungle garden with its cenote-style pool, or have breakfast at MERO 18, the hotel's restaurant for seafood, sushi and garden breakfasts; learn more on the hotel dining page. If this plan appeals to you, book direct on the hotel's website for the best available rate.
Frequently asked questions
What is Mercado 23 in Cancun?
It is downtown Cancun's traditional food market, in supermanzana 23, near Avenida Tulum and the ADO bus terminal. It sells fruit, vegetables, meat, spices, herbs, flowers and party supplies, and has food stalls for meals. It is the neighborhood's market.
What is the difference between Mercado 23 and Mercado 28?
Mercado 28 focuses on crafts and souvenirs for visitors. Mercado 23 is more local and cheaper, with everyday goods and home-style food. If you want gifts, go to 28; if you want to see Cancun's daily life, go to 23.
What time is best to go to Mercado 23?
In the morning, when produce is fresh and the heat is lower. Hours differ by stall, so there is no exact time that fits all of them; check locally if you need something specific. Light clothes and comfortable shoes make the visit easier.
Can you pay by card at Mercado 23?
Do not count on it. Cash is the norm at a traditional market, so bring pesos in small bills and coins. Some stalls may accept other forms of payment, but it is safer to have cash on hand and to ask before ordering.
