La Merced
4
About
This busy market is one of the country's best known produce markets.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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The area
Neighbourhood: Venustiano Carranza District
How to get there
- Merced • 1 min walk
- Fray Servando • 9 min walk
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2,537 within 5 kms
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558 within 10 kms
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
87 reviews
Excellent
29
Very good
27
Average
18
Poor
7
Terrible
6
Chris B
Boise, ID671 contributions
Mar 2020 • Couples
Fun market! One of best we went to. So easy to get lost and caught up in all the activity. NEVER felt unsafe. Just look for the busiest stores and places to eat. You can’t go wrong. The park next door has a large art exhibition. You could even get a portrait done.
Written March 5, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TravelQueenie365
Singapore, Singapore666 contributions
May 2014 • Couples
- Yes, it is a huge market from clothing, shoes to food and even car spare parts.
- Careful that some of the food stalls are selling honey kind of sweets that attract a whole lot of bees around that section. Walk on your own risk because we fully avoided that section by walking on the roads instead.
- It does get very noisy and distracting while you are there. I do not feel unsafe at all at the markets. Some might find it intimidating to be surrounded by so many mexicans but they are all there to make business, not to scam on you. I bought a pair of Nike running shoes for 220 pesos. Can you believe it? They all seem to work in a cahoot so becareful with bargaining. If you dont want it, dont bargain because you won't know what you will get yourself into for not buying.
- Yes the market is next to the train station but you can totally walk to the market from the city. On your way to city, you will see a lot of roadside taco shops. There is one that you definitely have to try. It is a fish taco shop, they pretty much fry they fish in front of you. No joke, best Taco Pescado i ever eaten.
- Also there are some interesting sites around the neighborhood, say example ladies wearing really raunchy clothes selling themselves on the street. You do not need to make it too obvious by looking at them. It is just an everyday life thing for the Mexicans. Just keep walking even if they caught your attention. They are just there to make a living. Take photos at your own risk.
- Prepare some coins for using the public toilet. They are very clean.
If you think my reviews have been helpful to you, please click 'Yes' for 'Was this review helpful?'
- Careful that some of the food stalls are selling honey kind of sweets that attract a whole lot of bees around that section. Walk on your own risk because we fully avoided that section by walking on the roads instead.
- It does get very noisy and distracting while you are there. I do not feel unsafe at all at the markets. Some might find it intimidating to be surrounded by so many mexicans but they are all there to make business, not to scam on you. I bought a pair of Nike running shoes for 220 pesos. Can you believe it? They all seem to work in a cahoot so becareful with bargaining. If you dont want it, dont bargain because you won't know what you will get yourself into for not buying.
- Yes the market is next to the train station but you can totally walk to the market from the city. On your way to city, you will see a lot of roadside taco shops. There is one that you definitely have to try. It is a fish taco shop, they pretty much fry they fish in front of you. No joke, best Taco Pescado i ever eaten.
- Also there are some interesting sites around the neighborhood, say example ladies wearing really raunchy clothes selling themselves on the street. You do not need to make it too obvious by looking at them. It is just an everyday life thing for the Mexicans. Just keep walking even if they caught your attention. They are just there to make a living. Take photos at your own risk.
- Prepare some coins for using the public toilet. They are very clean.
If you think my reviews have been helpful to you, please click 'Yes' for 'Was this review helpful?'
Written December 12, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
shandra p
Mexico City, Mexico10 contributions
Dec 2017 • Family
My family and I went with friends who are local and we spoke Spanish (albeit broken). We had a great time. Never felt unsafe (but our friends were very protective so that could have something to do with it). We stood out and got curious stares (not unfriendly) we dressed in regular clothes and did not take any pictures. We found some great deals on household items and one family member bought a copper skillet and a copper grill (comal) at very reasonable prices. We had to drive to get to the different parts of the market and parking was no problem. It was nice to see the pet area among others. We asked and compared prices before buying from a vendor. However if you have fear it might be better to try another market as you will probably be overwhelmed at this one. I saw a few people who appeared to be from Africa in traditional clothes, a couple who appeared to be of Indian (India) background and 4 college guys from the USA who were speaking English (loudly) and clearly enjoying themselves. So don't worry about standing out so much as I think people are used to seeing people from different places. Hope this description was helpful.
Written December 30, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Melanie T
New York City, NY6,979 contributions
Nov 2022 • Friends
I was a little disappointed in this market because I thought it would be more souvenirs and more food. There are some random carts/stalls selling food but I would say 80% of the stalls just sell clothing or everyday household items. The market itself is pretty huge, spanning a few city blocks. We didn't end up buying anything. They do have fresh produce/meats for sale, so that was fun to look at the different offerings but that was probably the only highlight.
There's A LOT of traffic in the area, so if you're planning to take an Uber, plan accordingly. We probably waited 30-40 minutes in total to connect to a driver and for the driver to actually navigate through all the traffic to come and get us. Not worth the visit unless you're staying within walking distance.
There's A LOT of traffic in the area, so if you're planning to take an Uber, plan accordingly. We probably waited 30-40 minutes in total to connect to a driver and for the driver to actually navigate through all the traffic to come and get us. Not worth the visit unless you're staying within walking distance.
Written January 31, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jessica V
1 contribution
Mar 2017 • Family
This is a great place to buy anything at the cheapest prices. But this is a red zone for gangs and one of the most dangerous places in el cenrto. I was put a knife to my face and was forced to give up my phone. If you go do not look too flashy, keep all valuables hidden or home, never put your money in one place. This happened to me in broad daylight. Mexico is beautiful but it is also very very dangerous.
Written March 4, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Robert Blackie
Mexico City, Mexico360 contributions
Nov 2018 • Friends
I've been here many times but was robbed here by two guys with a knife and ice pick recently. Thankfully they only made off with my busted cell phone but that was because I stalled and yelled. They panicked and ran off before taking my wallet. This was on the covered sidewalk next to the busy thoroughfare with tons of people and traffic. I was with a Mexican friend also and we were definitely not doing anything to attract attention as we both live in CDMX. I recommend going in a large group and bring pepper spray. I've been noticing an uptick in robberies here based on local friends' accounts and other traveler reviews. It's a cool place but protect yourself!!
Written March 1, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
OrangeRambler
Los Angeles, CA51 contributions
Aug 2018 • Couples
The BIGGEST. Real market for real people. Pretty clean and not smelly compared to most markets of similar class. Best way to get to it is via the subway, which exits directly into the middle of the market. Do NOT walk from the zocalo - the neighborhood around the market is one of CDMX's most dangerous. This is not a place to go to for an embroidered blouse, this is the place to go if you want to get 7 pounds of tripe.
Written August 23, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Grousedoctor
Plattsburgh, NY600 contributions
Mar 2013 • Solo
Although my visit today to La Merced wasn't my first, I still find it one of the most difficult markets to navigate. Large is an understatement! I had wanted to see where the fire had been a couple of weeks ago. If the fire covered about 10% of the market, as reported, the devastated area just shows how large an area this really is. It's very easy to get disoriented! Finding your way out in the direction you wish to go may prove problematic. La Merced didn't have the more familiar friendly atmosphere other markets have. Although I didn't feel particularly uncomfortable, this isn't the market where I'd take first time visitors to the city. Many other smaller markets with similar merchandise (just less of it) would be better choices. La Merced could easily intimidate the less experienced particularly when one felt they had had enough, but weren't quite sure how to leave. If you decide to visit the market, I'd recommend going there with someone who knows the ins and outs of this colossal enterprise. Most people probably won't enjoy their experience here as much as the much smaller Mercado San Juan. Anyone who warns you to be careful about La Merced has your best interests in mind.
Written March 19, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Martin G
Astoria, New York, United States9 contributions
Aug 2019
i was beaten, robbed and choked unconscious in merced at 9 am. no onlookers did anything. police dont care, they let gangs beat and rob people in daylight. if you go, need to go with a group, more people than 3 thugs can beat up at once. very dangerous place for solo foreigners.
Written November 9, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Travellover6128
San Francisco, CA2,965 contributions
Sept 2017 • Couples
Once we told our taxi driver were we going to this market, he laughed. Then he told us it was dangerous, then he laughed some more! This was a little ominous.
We were dropped off a few blocks before the market as the traffic was so back and even the walk to the main part was an experience. Meat being thrown literally over your head to other vendors and plenty of meat parts on the floor.
The market is vast and is divided into different sections. There was a distinct meat section and a vegetable section. If you are squeamish about raw meat this is not for you. We saw every part of most animals hanging up or being carried over people’s shoulders (and brushing past people).
You do need your wits around you. Don’t stand and take pictures and don’t wear flashy jewellery. Make sure if you buy anything you have smaller notes or coins to pay for items. If you find any food stalls and they look busy, then it’s worth grabbing some food. There are some excellent choices on offer.
I’m glad we went but I wouldn’t go again!
We were dropped off a few blocks before the market as the traffic was so back and even the walk to the main part was an experience. Meat being thrown literally over your head to other vendors and plenty of meat parts on the floor.
The market is vast and is divided into different sections. There was a distinct meat section and a vegetable section. If you are squeamish about raw meat this is not for you. We saw every part of most animals hanging up or being carried over people’s shoulders (and brushing past people).
You do need your wits around you. Don’t stand and take pictures and don’t wear flashy jewellery. Make sure if you buy anything you have smaller notes or coins to pay for items. If you find any food stalls and they look busy, then it’s worth grabbing some food. There are some excellent choices on offer.
I’m glad we went but I wouldn’t go again!
Written September 30, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sorry, I have no idea. But if I had to guess, I'd guess that it's closed.
Written December 31, 2017
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