Mercado 23 Cancun
Mercado 23, or Market 23, is a traditional downtown Cancun market where food and everyday shopping are a big part of the visit. Come to browse produce, see what the small food stalls are cooking and pick up Mexican sweets or other small purchases. It makes a different outing from the souvenir-focused stalls at Mercado 28.
This is a working market rather than a polished shopping attraction. You can buy souvenirs here too, but the appeal is seeing a little of everyday Cancun away from the resort. A morning browse and something to eat is a better plan than arriving with a long list of must-see attractions.
At a glance
- Best for: produce, market food, sweets and everyday shopping.
- Also called: Market 23 and Mercado Javier Rojo Gómez.
- Where: downtown Cancun, in Supermanzana 23 around Calle Jabín.
- When to go: morning is a practical choice for a food-market visit; stall hours vary.
- Bring: pesos in small notes, a reusable bag and only as much shopping as you can comfortably carry.
What is Mercado 23 like?
Mercado 23 is one of Cancun’s longstanding markets, associated with the early city rather than the Hotel Zone’s resort development. It is also known as Mercado Javier Rojo Gómez. The stalls and surrounding businesses serve day-to-day shoppers as well as curious visitors.
Expect a mixture of ingredients to take home and food to eat there, rather than a market entirely built around holiday gifts. The state’s food-culture inventory describes meat, fruit, vegetables, sweets, crafts and small places to eat. It is worth coming with enough flexibility to choose what appeals when you arrive.
Is Market 23 the same place?
Yes. “Market 23 Cancun” is the English version of Mercado 23. The number is part of the market’s name, not a reference to its opening hours or the number of stalls. It is separate from Mercado 28, although both are downtown.
You do not need to shop at every stall or make a meal of the whole visit. Let people get on with their shopping, ask before taking close-up photographs of vendors and browse without blocking a busy counter.
What to buy at Mercado 23
The food side is the main reason to choose this market over another souvenir stop. Fresh ingredients are especially useful if you are staying in an apartment or have cooking facilities. If you are in an all-inclusive hotel without a fridge, a small snack or gift may be more practical than a bag of fresh produce.
- Fruit and vegetables: choose an amount you will actually use during your stay, and ask the price for the quantity you want.
- Ingredients for a meal: the market has meat and other everyday food shopping; plan to return to your accommodation with perishables rather than carrying them on a long afternoon outing.
- Mexican sweets: a small selection makes an easy purchase. Ask what an unfamiliar sweet contains before choosing it.
- Crafts and small gifts: these are part of the mix too, so visiting Mercado 23 does not rule out picking up a souvenir.
Prices and paying
Take pesos in smaller notes. Confirm whether a price is per item, per kilogram or for a particular portion, rather than assuming everything on a counter is priced the same way. A little Spanish helps, but you can keep the exchange simple by agreeing the item, quantity and total before paying.
Do not assume that market shopping means bargaining over every transaction. Posted food prices and everyday groceries are a different situation from negotiating for a group of souvenirs. If a price is unclear, ask first; if it does not suit you, buy elsewhere. Our Cancun currency guide covers using pesos and comparing currency charges.
Food stalls and eating at Market 23
Small restaurants, fondas and food stalls are part of the market’s character. A fonda is a simple place serving everyday meals, rather than a formal restaurant. Walk around before choosing, look at the food being prepared and ask what is available that day.
You do not need to order a large meal to enjoy the visit. Decide whether you want breakfast, a snack or lunch, then choose somewhere that suits that appetite. Ask about the price of drinks and any extras alongside the food, particularly when there is no printed menu.
If you are curious about a dish, ask what it is rather than ordering by appearance alone. Explain any ingredient you need to avoid directly to the person preparing the food. Bottled water is an easy thing to have with you while walking around.
For a sit-down meal beyond the market, see our Downtown Cancun Restaurants guide. The market can be the morning stop rather than the destination for every meal that day.
Opening hours and the best time to go
Morning is the most practical starting point for a first visit. You are coming for market activity and food, so it makes more sense to plan around the shopping day than the Hotel Zone’s late-night timetable. Aim for a morning browse and decide whether to stay for something to eat.
Different stalls and surrounding businesses keep different hours. There is no reason to assume that a late closing time shown for the wider area means every produce seller or food counter will still be trading. If one particular business is the reason for your journey, confirm its own opening time first.
Allow around an hour for an initial look, with extra time if you eat or want to shop properly. That is a flexible planning allowance. It is an easy stop to shorten if the heat, crowds or shopping do not suit your group.
Where is Mercado 23 and how do you get there?
Mercado 23 is in downtown Cancun’s Supermanzana 23, around Calle Jabín, north of the main ADO bus terminal area. Save the market itself on your map before leaving; a street address in the same district is not necessarily the entrance you want.
From the Hotel Zone
You can take a downtown-bound Hotel Zone bus and continue on foot or by taxi, but check the stop and remaining distance first. “Centro” is a broad destination. Ask the driver about the market and look at your map instead of assuming the bus will deliver you to a food stall.
A taxi is simpler for a direct visit, particularly with shopping bags or anyone who would find a hot walk uncomfortable. Agree the fare before starting. The price and journey depend on your hotel, traffic and starting area, so there is no single useful fare for every visitor. See Getting Around Cancun for the general choices.
Walking around the market
Use comfortable shoes and take care at crossings and uneven pavement. Keep your phone and money secure while looking at stalls. If someone in the group uses a wheelchair or needs a step-free route, check the entrance and access to the particular business rather than assuming the whole market has mall-style access.
Mercado 23 and Mercado 28 map
Mercado 23 or Mercado 28?
| Consideration | Mercado 23 | Mercado 28 |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Food, produce and everyday shopping | Souvenirs, crafts and gift shopping |
| A typical visit | A morning browse and simple food | Comparing souvenir stalls and stopping for lunch |
| Also available | Crafts and things visitors can take home | Restaurants and everyday services |
Prefer a souvenir-shopping outing? See our Mercado 28 Cancun guide.
The difference is an emphasis, not a rule that locals use one and tourists must use the other. Choose Mercado 23 for a food-market outing and Mercado 28 for a souvenir-shopping outing. Neither needs to occupy a whole holiday day.
They are separate markets, so check the destination when arranging transport. There is no need to visit both unless you enjoy markets and have a reason to do so. Our Cancun Shopping guide compares them with the malls and other shopping options.
Making Mercado 23 part of a downtown outing
Keep the plan simple: browse the market, buy what you actually want and leave time for a meal or another downtown stop. If you buy fresh food, return with it rather than taking it on a sightseeing circuit. You can always make a separate trip for a restaurant later.
If your group would prefer department stores, cinema and more of an indoor shopping day, Plaza Las Américas and Malecón Américas are a better fit. For marina views and restaurants, compare Marina Puerto Cancun. Pick the outing that interests you rather than feeling you need to cover every shopping area.