Mercado 23 Cancún
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Mercado 23 Cancún

4.3
·6k reviews·Cancún, Mexico

Experience the heart of Cancun at Mercado 23, a vibrant local market offering authentic food, crafts, and a true taste of Mexican culture.

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Weekday mornings

Experience local bustle

CrowdMedium
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Mercado 23 Cancún

Mercado 23 Cancún

Best Time

Weekday mornings

Experience local bustle

CrowdMedium
Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Experience the heart of Cancun at Mercado 23, a vibrant local market offering authentic food, crafts, and a true taste of Mexican culture.

4.3
(6k reviews)

"A true slice of local life, Mercado 23 offers authentic flavors and crafts away from the tourist crowds."

Vertical photo
TIP

🗣️ Practice Basic Spanish

A few Spanish phrases go a long way with vendors. Locals appreciate the effort!

💰 Bring Pesos

Cash is king here. Having Mexican pesos ensures better prices and smoother transactions.

Third hero image

Quick Facts

Hours

Rating

4.3 · 6,567 reviews

Type

Market

♿ Wheelchair accessible🅿️ Accessible parking

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Authentic Local Produce

Authentic Local Produce

Main market floor

Vibrant displays of fresh fruits, vegetables, and local delicacies. A true feast for the senses.

Handicraft Finds

Handicraft Finds

Souvenir stalls

Discover unique Mexican crafts, textiles, and souvenirs, often at better prices than tourist traps.

Local Eateries

Local Eateries

Food court area

Savor traditional Yucatecan dishes and snacks in a casual, no-frills setting.

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Planning Your Visit

Embrace the Local Vibe

Mercado 23 offers a more authentic Mexican market experience than its tourist-centric counterpart, Mercado 28. Come prepared for a bustling atmosphere and a chance to interact with locals.

Bargaining & Currency

While not as aggressive as Mercado 28, bargaining is still expected for souvenirs. Always have pesos handy, as prices can be better than USD, and some vendors may not accept cards.

Best Times

When
Weekday mornings
Why
Experience local bustle
Crowd
Medium
When
Lunchtime
Why
Taste authentic flavors
Crowd
High

Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

TIP AHORRADOR en tu proxima visita a cancun comora tus recuerditos en el Walmar del centro, solo checa que sean hechos en Mexico, asi tu ahorras y apoyas a artesanos mexicanos. #viajero #Cosasquenecesitas #cancúnméxico #Viajesyturismo #vacacionesapagos #vacacionesenfamilia
@toursencancunmexico
31.6K likes • 813.8K views

🗣️ Practice Basic Spanish

A few Spanish phrases go a long way with vendors. Locals appreciate the effort! Reddit

💰 Bring Pesos

Cash is king here. Having Mexican pesos ensures better prices and smoother transactions. Reddit

Hoy el último almuerzo en Cancún fue en "El Cejas" del Mercado 28 de Cancún y llegaron a cantarme las mañanitas 🤲🎂🇮🇹 Pura emoción 🥹 . Ya mañana llego a celebrar a Chilito 🇨🇱 @diego_leviantes A la distancia con mi @victoriapaz.zb
paulachef
85 likes • 1.3K views
Visita ao mercado, famoso pelo artesanato, comidas típicas. Um ótimo lugar para vivenciar a cultura local
zenildamoreno
68 likes • 0 views

🚶‍♀️ Wander and Explore

Don't rush! Take your time to discover hidden gems and unique items. Reddit

🍎 Sample Local Snacks

Try fresh juices, empanadas, or marquesitas for an authentic taste of Mexico. Instagram

reddit.com

Mercedo 28 or 23 with a todler

My family knows very little Spanish and we have a toddler. Which market would you suggest? We are more interested in the experience and might buy some souvenirs and maybe snacks but probably won't be interested in eating a ful meal. Also Bus and walk or have a taxi/ride share…

Tips

from all over the internet

🗣️ Practice Basic Spanish

A few Spanish phrases go a long way with vendors. Locals appreciate the effort! Reddit

💰 Bring Pesos

Cash is king here. Having Mexican pesos ensures better prices and smoother transactions. Reddit

🚶‍♀️ Wander and Explore

Don't rush! Take your time to discover hidden gems and unique items. Reddit

🍎 Sample Local Snacks

Try fresh juices, empanadas, or marquesitas for an authentic taste of Mexico. Instagram

🛍️ Bargain Respectfully

Negotiate prices for souvenirs, but always be polite and fair. Reddit

What Travellers Say

4.3
(6k reviews)

Reviews Summary

Mercado 23 is praised for its authentic local atmosphere and affordable, delicious food, offering a genuine slice of Cancun life. While it has souvenir stalls, it's less tourist-focused than Mercado 28. Some visitors find it can be crowded and navigating with young children or strollers might be challenging.

"This market was so much fun! There were very few tourists and mostly locals, which gave a much more authentic feel. I found handmade products for a very reasonable price and I found the sellers were not pushy like they are at market 28. You can buy anything from food, to handmade sandles, bags, pottery, clothing to souvenirs and party supply goods. Some stores take credit card but most take cash in Pesos or American dollars. I'd definitely go there again:)"

Kim Dennill

"Our favourite market to come to when we’re in Quintana Roo. Much better prices than if you were to go to Mercado 28 and the vendors are not super pushy and are very helpful. I’ve gotten a few blankets and pottery pieces here for great prices."

Anna Balagtas

"We had an interesting adventure going to this location. The bus stop is several blocks away and they just point you in a direction. Once you get there it is easy to get turned around and almost impossible to find the bus stop again. We ended up frustrated and just got a cab back to the hotel when we were done. The shopping experience was amazing. We found some cool items, I got a couple soccer jerseys, we got a piece of jewelry custom made for a friend that has a non standard spelling of their name. Be aware, you do need to haggle a bit. The first price is high in hopes you will pay more for the item."

Jason Schulte

What People Like

Authentic local vibe
Affordable food
Genuine cultural experience

What People Dislike

Can be crowded
Challenging with strollers

Frequently Asked Questions

🚇 🗺️ Getting There

Take the R1 bus towards downtown Cancun and get off near McDonalds on Avenida Tulum. Cross the street, and Mercado 23 is a short walk away. Taxis and ride-shares are also readily available. Reddit

Yes, there is parking available, though it can get busy during peak hours. Reddit

The market can be crowded and has uneven surfaces, so navigating with a stroller might be challenging. Reddit

While the R1 bus is an option, a taxi or ride-share might offer more convenience and comfort for families with young children. Reddit

Mercado 23 is located in downtown Cancun, making it easily accessible from the main tourist areas. Reddit

🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry

No, Mercado 23 is a public market and does not require an entrance ticket. Entry is free. Reddit

Mercado 23 is typically open daily from early morning until late afternoon or early evening. It's best to check current hours before your visit as they can vary. Reddit

While it has souvenir stalls, Mercado 23 is generally considered more of a local market than a tourist trap like Mercado 28 can be. Reddit

Many souvenir vendors may accept credit cards, but it's highly recommended to carry cash (Mexican Pesos) as many smaller stalls and food vendors only accept cash. Reddit

Yes, eating at Mercado 23 is generally safe and a great way to experience authentic local cuisine. Look for busy stalls with high turnover. Instagram

🎫 🛍️ Shopping & Souvenirs

You can find a variety of Mexican handicrafts, including textiles, pottery, jewelry, and local art. Instagram

Yes, bargaining is common for souvenirs. Start with a lower offer and negotiate respectfully. Reddit

Mercado 23 offers a good selection of authentic Mexican crafts, often at better prices than more tourist-focused markets. Instagram

Mercado 23 offers more unique, handcrafted souvenirs, while Walmart might have more mass-produced items. For authentic artisan goods, Mercado 23 is preferred. TikTok

Mercado 28 is larger and more geared towards tourists with many souvenir shops. Mercado 23 is smaller and more of a local market with fewer, but often more authentic, souvenir options. Reddit

🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining

Don't miss fresh juices, marquesitas (crispy crepes), empanadas, and traditional Yucatecan dishes like cochinita pibil. Instagram

Yes, you can find vegetarian options like empanadas filled with cheese or vegetables, and fresh fruit. Instagram

'El Cejas' is a popular eatery within Mercado 28, known for its traditional Mexican food and lively atmosphere, sometimes featuring mariachi singers. Instagram

Absolutely! Mercado 23 is the perfect place to sample authentic Mexican snacks and street food. Instagram

Food at Mercado 23 is generally very affordable, offering a great value for authentic local flavors. Instagram

📸 📸 Photography

Yes, it's generally fine to take photos, especially of the produce and crafts. However, it's always polite to ask vendors before taking close-ups of them or their stalls. Instagram

Capture the vibrant colors of the produce stalls, the intricate details of the handicrafts, and the lively interactions between vendors and shoppers. Instagram

Weekday mornings offer good natural light and a less crowded atmosphere, making it ideal for photography. Instagram

The fruit and vegetable sections are incredibly photogenic due to their colors. The handicraft stalls also offer great visual interest. Instagram

Be respectful of people's privacy and always ask permission before taking close-up portraits. Instagram

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