15 Best Flea Markets in Mexico

Updated On October 8, 2023
Mexico Flea Market

The idea of bringing stuff to a central location to sell it and socialize seems like a very Mexican thing to do.

It does seem to come naturally, and there are a lot of them around the country.

From border towns in the north, through the mountains, to the southern lowlands, there is some sort of market in almost every town.

Mexico City has the most of them and the biggest markets, but many others around the country are worth a visit.

1. La Lagunilla Market

La Lagunilla Market is so big it is in two places.

It is the most well-known market in Mexico City.

In the middle of the city, this market goes for many blocks and has hundreds of vendors selling anything imaginable.

Three blocks north is a fixed indoor market by the same name, that is open every day.

It is a typical flea market that goes back to before the Spanish arrived.

People bring whatever they have to sell.

There is new and new clothing, music, jewelry, as well as fresh produce.

You might find animals for sale too.

2. Mercado De Artesanias La Ciudadela

Mercado De Artesanias La Ciudadela is another Mexico City market and this one is centered around crafts, arts, and homemade items.

It is one of the most popular markets in the whole country.

It is open every day with both indoor and outdoor areas. It is four blocks south of Alameda Park.

It has more than 200 stalls, all of them packed with artistic items.

There are paintings, sculptures, jewelry, metalwork, and crafts of all kinds.

There are a lot of food stalls where you can get authentic local food.

You can find some treasures here, and it is a good place to experience the real Mexican culture.

3. El Bazaar Sabado

El Bazaar Sabado is an artists’ flea market in Mexico City and one that is open only on Saturday.

It is in the San Angel area where there are a lot of colonial-era mansions, many of which house restaurants and other businesses now.  

There are many kinds of art galleries, antique dealers, textile vendors, as well as dealers in chocolate, wine, and other food items.

There is pottery as well as paintings and sculptures, and some of the artists are doing their art in the stall while you shop.

4. Huizache in Oaxaca

Huizache in Oaxaca is partly an arts market, and partly a traditional flea market.

A collective of local artists sells art from about 70 local families.

There are traditional handmade clothes, rugs, bags, hammocks, embroidery, pottery, and other art forms.

Local produce, as well as chocolate and mescal, are also sold here. 

You may find artwork by indigenous people, as well as some antiques and the standard flea market fare.

5. Mercado de Artesanias de Santo Domingo

Mercado de Artesanias de Santo Domingo in San Cristobal de last Cases is an artists’ market in the highlands where the Yucatan peninsula begins. 

There are about 100 vendors selling handmade items like textiles, preserving ancient ways of making art.

They may be descendants of Mayans or other local tribes.

There are colorful handbags, animal-shaped cloth toys, and embroidered huipils, a local traditional garment.  

6. Mercado Gonzalez Ortega

Mercado Gonzalez Ortega in Zacatecas is a flea market that specializes in antiques.

There are a few dozen merchants operating in a pink stone building that is more than 100 years old. 

There are antiques, some fake ancient artifacts, as well as vintage appliances.

There are also handmade crafts and jewelry that the area is famous for.

There may also be some homemade candy and other food items.

Zacatecas was one of the richest sliver mining areas in Mexico, and you can find a lot of antique sliver artwork here.

7. Mercado Valentin Gomez Farias

Mercado Valentin Gomez Farias in Morelia is a flea market in the center of the city that takes up a few blocks.

This is also silver country and you can find handmade silver items, both antique and new. 

The area is also known for selling homemade candy and other sweets.

There is candy made from goat’s milk, and candied fruits and the town also has a traditional cookie that is often made.

The area has a history of handmade crafts and nearby there is a museum that tells the story.

Morelia is an old city and features pink stone buildings.

The artisan market here has been going on for more than 100 years.

8. The Mercado San Juan

The Mercado San Juan in the city center of Mexico City is a foodies’ paradise.

There are dozens of vendors.

It is the best place to find authentic Mexican food, as well as authentic dishes from other countries.

You can find things like ostrich meat, edible insects, and other questionable things.

Of course, there are the standard fruits and vegetables, and meats of many kinds.

There are also candy stores and ice cream shops.

All the ingredients you could possibly need are also available here, and many of the city’s top chefs come here to buy what they need for the day’s cooking.

9. Mercado Sobre Ruedas

Mercado Sobre Ruedas in Malinalco preserved some traditions that are hundreds of years gold.

The city is in the mountains about 60 miles from Mexico City.

This city was here before the Spanish arrived, and they had markets then.

The main event is in the town center on Wednesdays, which is an all-day affair.

The market may open again during the week at some other location, and it could be a bit random.

There are fresh fruits, vegetables, and flowers, in addition to homemade food items like tacos, Quesadillas, and tlacoyos, which also predate the Spanish.

There are leather goods, handmade wooden utensils, as well as spoons and bowls of various kinds.

10. Mercado Hidalgo in Guanajuato

Mercado Hidalgo in Guanajuato has a market that centers on fresh food and bulk orders of seeds.

Guanajuato is a famous historical city, and many of the very old buildings have been kept well.

That adds a nice atmosphere when you go to this market in the city center.

The market has a lot of fresh food and homemade food.

It also has pinatas and household items.

It is in a large building that was originally a railroad station, and the architecture gives it a great vibe of history.

11. Mercado Lucas de Galvez

Mercado Lucas de Galvez in Merida is a well-known locally popular fresh food market.

Merida is in the Yucatan, home of the Maya, and one of the more elegant colonial cities in all of Mexico.

This market has a large area of fresh fruit and vegetables, as well as some prepared food.

It also has a lot of locally made crafts and clothing.

There is a bar downstairs at the north end that sells seafood cocktails, which are a local favorite. 

12. Mercado Miguel Aleman

Mercado Miguel Aleman is another market in Merida that should not be missed.

This is a small market with just a few dozen vendors, but it is an authentic Yucatan market.

It has a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, meat, and cheese.

There is also prepared food and breakfast is a specialty.

A local snack called Kibis is also sold here, which is wheat stuffed with meat and cheese. 

Merida is a very international-type city with a lot of influences from around the world, and that is reflected in the food.

13. Market 28

Market 28 is a large traditional flea market in Cancun.

It does not have the best prices and caters to tourists, but there are still a lot of interesting things you could find here.

Even though higher than prices elsewhere, the prices are still good enough.

There are a lot of souvenirs and memorabilia from this part of Mexico.

The market takes up a whole block and some of the booths face the ocean.

A good percentage of the market is geared toward tourists, but Mexicans shop here as well.

It also has restaurants and handmade items made from wood or leather. 

Sometimes people claim to be selling Mayan artifacts.

If they were real, it would be illegal, but they are not real.

They are cheap, however.

14. Escomarti Vestidos Comunión Presentación Pages Bautizo Y Accesorios

Escomarti Vestidos Comunión Presentación Pages Bautizo Y Accesoriosis a traditional flea market north of Mexico City’s main plaza.

It is in an area called Lagunilla.

There is a lot of clothing, and one of the few markets where you can get wedding dresses and tuxedos, along with sneakers and socks.

There are lots of costumes available too.

Beyond that is the normal flea market fare, with lots of food, new and used items, and crafts.

Very good clothing at great prices is the main draw, but you can find almost anything here.

There are also several places to eat among all the stalls.

15. Tianguis de Los Martes

Tianguis de Los Martes in San Miguel de Allende is a classic flea market in a small town hidden in the mountains of central Mexico.

The town has only about 15000 residents, but it is charming with buildings that are several hundred years old.

On Tuesdays, a huge market is set up just off the city center, where you can find food and handmade crafts.

In another section, there are tools, clothing, toys, and general household items.

There is also an antique area where there is high-quality merchandise.

This is an off-the-beaten-path area and you can get a real taste of the culture here.

The 15 Best Flea Markets in Mexico – Summary Table

Flea MarketAddress
La Lagunilla MarketSaliendo Del Metro Lagunilla Garibaldi, López Rayón 46 lote 1 Y, Allende local 979 y 980, entre entrada 4 y 5, Centro Histórico de la Cdad. de México, Cuauhtémoc, 06000 CDMX, Mexico
Mercado De Artesanias La CiudadelaBalderas S/N, Colonia Centro, Centro, Cuauhtémoc, 06040 Cuauhtémoc, CDMX
El Bazaar SabadoPl. San Jacinto 11, San Ángel TNT, San Ángel, Álvaro Obregón, 01000 Ciudad de México, CDMX
Huizache in OaxacaMurguía 101, RUTA INDEPENDENCIA, Centro, 68000 Oaxaca de Juárez, Oax
Mercado de Artesanias de Santo DomingoAv. 20 de Noviembre | Iglesia de Santo Domingo, San Cristobal de las Casas, Mexico
Mercado Gonzalez OrtegaMercado González Ortega, Zacatecas Centro, 98000 Zacatecas, Zac., Mexico
Mercado Valentin Gomez FariasC. Industria 1612, San Juan Bosco, 44739 Guadalajara, Jal., Mexico
The Mercado San Juan2ᵃ Calle de Ernesto Pugibet 21, Colonia Centro, Centro, Cuauhtémoc, 06000 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico
Mercado Sobre RuedasAnd. 18 del Temoluco 2, Acueducto de Guadalupe, Gustavo A. Madero, 07790 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico
Mercado Hidalgo in GuanajuatoAv. Benito Juárez Mercado, Hidalgo, 36000 Guanajuato, Gto., Mexico
Mercado Lucas de Galvez65A, Centro, 97000 Mérida, Yuc., Mexico
Mercado Miguel AlemanAv 5 de Febrero 1340, Olímpica, 44430 Guadalajara, Jal., Mexico
Market 28Av. Tankah 25, 77509 Cancún, Q.R., Mexico
Escomarti Vestidos Comunión Presentación Pages Bautizo Y AccesoriosSaliendo Del Metro Lagunilla Garibaldi, López Rayón 46 lote 1 Y, Allende local 979 y 980, entre entrada 4 y 5, Centro Histórico de la Cdad. de México, Cuauhtémoc, 06000 CDMX, Mexico
Tinguis de Los MartesCienfuegos, Arcos de San Miguel, 37740 San Miguel de Allende, Gto., Mexico

Mexico Safety Overview

READ THE FULL REPORT: Mexico Safety Review

Safety Index:
65
  • OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM
  • TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
  • PICKPOCKETS RISK: HIGH
  • NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: LOW
  • MUGGING RISK: MEDIUM
  • TERRORISM RISK: LOW
  • SCAMS RISK: HIGH
  • WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you use American Dollars in Mexico?

Not usually, but converting them to pesos is easy and generally the rate is favorable.

At some flea markets, you can negotiate, and they might give you a better price if you are paying with American currency.

Generally speaking, though, merchants prefer you to use pesos.

What are some things to look out for?

Like any flea market in the United States, or anywhere, there are people trying to make a living, and people trying to scam you.

Do not always assume you are getting the genuine item and watch out for fakes.

Avoid looking like a tourist because prices are higher for tourists.

Hold on to your wallet or purse because there are pickpockets around.

Also avoid flashing your cash, fancy cameras, or jewelry, which makes you a target for those that would do you harm.

Can you barter at flea markets?

Some of the flea markets that focus on artists do not want you to haggle over prices.

For anything else, a little haggling is expected.

Merchants ask for more than they expect to get, so they can lower the price some, make you think you got a deal, and still make a profit.

Using American dollars can also get you a better price.

Often there is one price for locals and one for tourists.

Try not to look like a tourist and make an offer.

Is Mexico safe?

Tourist areas of Mexico City, and places like Merida, or Cancun, are very safe.

Mexican officials want tourists to come, and they want to keep them safe.

It may not be safe to wander around outside the tourist areas, especially at night.

If you avoid the bad areas, you should not have any trouble.

Places like Mexico City, Merida, or Cancun are as safe as any city in the United States.

Do flea markets take credit cards?

Some will take credit cards in Mexico City and tourist meccas like Cancun.

For anywhere beyond that, you will need to have cash.

There are people who will steal your credit card information if you can, so it is important to watch out for scams.

If you are spending money in a public place, it is better to do so in cash.

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