It has been said by Pablo Neruda: “Mexico is in the markets”, and we couldn’t agree more, so if you want to discover the utterly local side of our country, we have one word for you: markets! It would be a sensorial experience that will introduce you into our culture; customs, food, and locals. So, get ready for a very Mexican adventure with this market tour.
An exotic trip: Mercado de San Juan
Where? Historic Centre
Photo credit: MXCity
If we could define this market with a single word would be extravagant. In the corridors, you will find unusual ingredients considered delicacies of the gods. Edible bugs, lobsters, armadillos, deers, crocodiles, quail eggs, eels, stingrays, and other fascinating foodstuffs… The visit is not complete without a typical Mexican food in one of the little restaurants called “fondas” or with a special treat at the Spanish tapas shops, where you can have a little glass of wine (courtesy of the house!) Before you leave, buy a delicious souvenir at the main entrance: a bag of spicy nuts seasoned with garlic and spices.
If you’re staying at “Roma Secret Garden” or “Roma Hidden Treasure”, you’ll arrive here in 13 minutes:
Time travel: Mercado La Lagunilla
Where? Historic Centre
Photo credit: Condé Nast Traveler
Vintage items, pure nostalgia, and hallways full of real jewels, so is this flea market known as “tianguis”, the oldest in the city where hundreds of antiquarians, dealers, and artists meet every Sunday to sell antiques. You would find everything; from old plates and candlesticks, phonographs and telephones, even suitcases, furniture, bookshelves, and chairs. Is a delight for vintage lovers.
If you’re staying at any of our apartments in the Condesa neighborhood, you’ll arrive here in 20 minutes:
Latin America under the same roof: Mercado de Medellín
Where? Roma neighborhood
Photo credit: Concha y Toro
Flags over the top decorate the place. At first sight, it looks a traditional market, but when you watch closely, you do realize that it is a mosaic of Latin America. Wander through Colombia, Venezuela, Perú, and Cuba, also to Oaxaca and Yucatán -Mexican states- through its most emblematic products.
If you’re staying at “Vintage Highlights”, you’ll arrive here in 12 minutes:
Typical delights: Mercado de Coyoacán
Where? Coyoacán
Photo credit: The New York Times
The art of the street kitchen is what you’d find in this market. Famous by its Mexican food (tostadas, tacos, and quesadillas) exhibited to the customers with big colorful signs. Besides the traditional spots where the fruits and vegetables are presented in pyramids -almost like a form of art- there is a piñatas section that worths the visit.
If you’re staying at “Monarca” or “Miyana”, you’ll arrive here in 33 minutes: http://bit.do/eNeEP
Colors & aromas: Mercado de Jamaica
Where? Historic Centre
Photo credit: MXCity
Like other markets, you can find here delicious Mexican “antojitos” (snacks), but the specialty of this place are flowers, plants, and more flowers. When you get here, a signature smell comes instantly, while the colors manifest themselves to offer you more than five thousand botanic species, most endemic from Mexico.
If you’re staying at “Parque México”, you’ll arrive here in 18 minutes: http://bit.do/eNeUL
Between food, crafts, plants and many treasures more, these markets are like little postcards from the local culture of Mexico.
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By Daniela Martínez
