- Benito Juarez (AKA, wrongly as Cancun City) is divided on sections called Supermanzanas (super blocks) and mercado 23 is called that (it's official name is different, not sure if it is Rojo Gomez or if that is mercado 28) because it is located in supermanzana 23. Coming from the hotel zone, you take Tulum Avenue, right (there is a big fountain with star fish and shells on it) and you go past a run a round (glorieta) the bus station is on your left, but you go straight, at the next turn about, you flip a U turn and at the second street you turn right. No way to missed, is the place with all the pirated movies.
The Hotel Zone bus doesn't go directly to Mercado 28, but leaves you a couple of blocks away. There are buses that go directly through there (R5, R^, R97-99, and a few others) but it's just as easy to walk the few blocks. The Hotel Zone does leave you directly across the street from Mercado 23.
No actual restaurants in Mercado 23, but a couple of good stands...one that serves great quesadillas than can be filled with vegetarian options.
You might like La Chaya in Mercado 28, but in general there are more places to eat there than in 23.
I would visit Mercado 23 to get necessary things done...shoes cobbled, keys made and 28 mostly for lunch.
Walking throught the market you'll also find fresh fruit and vegetable stands, local spices and sauces, a "food court",
We visited this market with a little trepidation as its in a "non touristy" area but found it to be a little gem. The people were very friendly and there were bargins aplenty with no hassels
Mercado 23 is very different from Mercado 28 in that you are left alone to explore, there is nobody shouting at you to come into their store and the prices are not artificially inflated to make you think you are getting a good deal when you haggle, when you're not. We have been to Cancun three times now and have avoided Mercado 28 the last 2 but been to Mercado 23 every visit.
Market 23 is tucked out of the way in Downtown Cancun and shown on very few of the tourist maps. It is a locals' market selling meat, fish and vegetables as well as a few gift shops, pinata shops and my favourite the very well stocked fabric shop and my daughter's favourite the sweet shop where you can buy sweets in bulk at amazing prices for filling pinatas. The smells and sounds make is feel much more like a genuine Mexican experience.
To get to Mercado 23 take the R1 bus down Tulum Av. Stay on the bus past the bus terminal and get off at the next stop. The turning is the 6th or 7th road on the left past the Bus Terminal called Cedro.
and one of the best Mom and Pops taco stands in all of Cancun. My wife and I walked every inch of this flea market and stumbled on this little lady preparing fresh and hot tortas that we still crave today.
We were looking for the pottery we saw at most of the smaller restaurants we went to and we found them there for dirt cheap. So cheap we didn't even bother trying to negotiate. I'd recommend Market 23 if you are looking for something authentic or original and don't want to be treated like a tourist. If you are looking for a "boardwalk atmosphere" of souvenirs and restaurants, go to Market 28.
wonderful prices on fruit and vegetables and a great way to see what the local people eat. You can bargain with them in a friendly fun way but the prices are generally set, the clothing stores you have more leeway to bargain,I have been going there weekly for 2 years and never seen any crime, just a bunch of hardworking friendly people. If you want to experience a real Mexican market this is the real place, it is small but has a lot of variety. Oh and the food there are a variety of small clean friendly food stalls where you can catch a bite to eat for as little as 35 pesos, delicious and fresh, I have never been ill there only suffered from over consumption!
- Mercado 23 has a good place to buy quesadillas...I can't remember the name, but it's called Los Huaraches de...something. Huge quesadillas (grilled, not fried) with numerous choices of fillings. Only open in the morning and during the day.
- Comercial Mexicana, one of the larger Mexican supermarkets, has great discounts on produce. You could stock up on mangoes, papayas, bananas, and other locally grown fruits.
For budget food, follow the locals and make for the markets. The biggest in Cancun is Mercado 28 , close to downtown's main post office at the western end of Av Sunyaxchen. There are plenty of food stalls and tiny cheap restaurants here. The other market in Cancun, Mercado 23 , is much smaller but makes a relatively peaceful venue for a decent Mexican lunch. From the bus station, walk a few blocks north along Tulum and then turn down Flamboyan or Cerdo. Further along, at the junction of Tulum and Lopez Portillo, is a small plaza, complete with fountain, at the edge of another market. The little café here are packed with Mexican families.
ReplyDeleteFor a bit of true Mexican culture head to Mercado 23, the oldest and first market in Cancun. It is close to the ADO bus terminal and to get there all you need to do is get on the R-1 bus and it will drop you off right in front of the entrance. If you’re coming in from Avenida Tulum get off just after the McDonalds (you will pass the ADO bus terminal on your left). Cross the street and you’ll find the entrance behind the fire station.
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