Mercado de Abastos
Mercado de Abastos
4
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This large flea market on the outskirts of town features hundreds of local vendors selling foods and arts and crafts.
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4.0
57 reviews
Excellent
31
Very good
13
Average
8
Poor
1
Terrible
4
Elizabeth E
North Little Rock, AR4 contributions
Oct 2022
This mercado is enormous and has everything imaginable. I was advised by locals to avoid going after dark, so I will just pass that advice along. Here you can find Dona Vale, who was featured on the Netflix series "Street foods of Mexico", and try out one of her memelas.
Written 20 November 2022
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.
jordansbulls
Houston, TX60,509 contributions
June 2022
Went to Central de Abasto (Mercado) and then to Mémelas Doña Vale (Memelas). Got the Memelas de Salsa Morita con Tasajo/Beef and Memela de Salsa Roja with Egg.
Afterwards walked the market some and then went to Mayordomo for some chocolates.
Afterwards walked the market some and then went to Mayordomo for some chocolates.
Written 26 June 2022
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.
Mike B
Fremantle, Australia45 contributions
May 2013 • Couples
All I can say is WOW! Abastos has everything you could ever want! From rare chiles to beautiful hand-made pottery, Abastos has got it all. I was very timid about going here at first based on other reviews saying it was dangerous or a likely place to get pick-pocketed. I have no idea what those people are talking about. Abastos felt way more chill then any of the other markets in centro. Yes, I saw some stupid tourists with the ironic t-shirts, those skin color money purses around their necks, and a general look of terror from not understanding what the world outside the U.S. look like, and those people deserve to be pick-pocked because they're acting stupid and look like big obese moving tagets. I keep my wallet in my front pocket (especially in the U.S. where the rich are the ones you have to worry about stealing your money) and I stay aware.
I say all this because I want you to go to Abastos. It's one of the top 5 places you will see in the city. PLUS.. everything here is significantly cheaper and better quality. There, i've said my peace.
I say all this because I want you to go to Abastos. It's one of the top 5 places you will see in the city. PLUS.. everything here is significantly cheaper and better quality. There, i've said my peace.
Written 23 May 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.
agavebeat
Oaxaca, Mexico33 contributions
May 2019 • Solo
I am a single woman 'of the third age' and have lived in Oaxaca for several years (I am also an experienced life-long traveler having left my hometown at 23 to travel half-way around the world alone for a full year) and occasionally go to this market ALONE to buy certain things (in fact I plan to go there in the next couple of days). I have NEVER had a single problem (people don't follow me, nor have I ever had to 'fend' anyone off). Nor have I ever gotten lost (it's a grid for heaven's sake; just keep track of where you came in the first time. It's very easy after that.) HOWEVER, even though I often wore small inexpensive silver loop earrings (bought right here in Oaxaca), I decided it was probably just luck that no one tried to rip them from my ears (a common experience, even for Oaxacans), so now I only wear palm or other even less valuable earrings when I go there. One reviewer mentioned feeling that there were 'eyes following them' everywhere in this market. I have to really laugh at that one; I expect that person is either a non-seasoned traveler, or just plain paranoid. I feel a whole lot safer here in Oaxaca, even in Abastos, than I did on the streets in the US. You can find pickpockets and thieves in New York, probably Paris, even in Berkeley, CA (I know; I lived in or near there for almost 35 years). Use the same common sense (if you have any) that you would anywhere else: don't carry unnecessary valuables or expensive jewelry (don't even bring it to Oaxaca), keep your wallet or coin purse in a safe place (you needn't 'clutch' your bag to your body, but neither should you put your money in an outside pocket on a backpack you are wearing!), and just keep alert to what is happening around you. I was going to say what my worst experience at Abastos has been, but I can't think of one: maybe when someone told me he would bring more baskets of a particular size and shape I wanted the following day, and still hadn't done it a week later. Welcome to Oaxaca.
Written 16 May 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.
Leonorew
Pittsford, NY237 contributions
Be careful of pickpockets!!! My husband lost his wallet from his back pocket while taking photos on a Saturday market day....He was one of several reporting same to the local police. Be warned and be safe. We loved this market otherwise!
Written 14 February 2007
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.
Victor S
Portland, OR2,548 contributions
Jan 2016 • Friends
I have been told that the Abastos market is the largest indigenous market in the Americas. In any case, this is a huge market. Even walking fast without stopping, I doubt that you could see it all in one day.
In this market, you will see everything from super fresh produce to traditional folk medicine, not to mention clothes of all description, household goods, and goats on the hoof.
I have visited this market many times over the past 25 years, and my impression is that there are fewer vendors now, and that the market is less crowded than it was a few decades ago. Mexico is changing, and these old fashioned public markets are likely to fade away. Having said that, visiting Abastos can still be an intense immersion in the local culture. When I was there for a few hours in February, 2016, I saw only one other group of obvious foreigners. Don't expect the vendors here to speak English or be able to make change for large bills.
As with any market, you should be prepared for pickpockets and other sneak thieves. Your best strategy is not to bring valuables to the market, and to keep your money in a place where it is awkward for you to get at it. I have not had any problems at Abastos in dozens of visits, but I dress down and carry my walking around cash in my sock. My faded jeans and $20 watch do not attract much attention. Note that although there are professional pickpockets in the market, violent crime is rare. Having said that, I would not recommend the neighborhood around the market after dark.
In this market, you will see everything from super fresh produce to traditional folk medicine, not to mention clothes of all description, household goods, and goats on the hoof.
I have visited this market many times over the past 25 years, and my impression is that there are fewer vendors now, and that the market is less crowded than it was a few decades ago. Mexico is changing, and these old fashioned public markets are likely to fade away. Having said that, visiting Abastos can still be an intense immersion in the local culture. When I was there for a few hours in February, 2016, I saw only one other group of obvious foreigners. Don't expect the vendors here to speak English or be able to make change for large bills.
As with any market, you should be prepared for pickpockets and other sneak thieves. Your best strategy is not to bring valuables to the market, and to keep your money in a place where it is awkward for you to get at it. I have not had any problems at Abastos in dozens of visits, but I dress down and carry my walking around cash in my sock. My faded jeans and $20 watch do not attract much attention. Note that although there are professional pickpockets in the market, violent crime is rare. Having said that, I would not recommend the neighborhood around the market after dark.
Written 12 November 2016
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.
scolgin
60 contributions
Jan 2018 • Friends
This market is fantastic — every variety of fruit, vegetable and protein (bugs! lots of bugs!!) you could imagine. Plus, shoes, cookware, household items, ceramics, textiles, tarps... you name it. I picked up six of the seven Oaxaca moles to take home with me. (I'm actually cooking some coloradito as I write this!) Definitely a fun and muy authentico break from the beautiful tourist scene in the centro historico.
Written 19 January 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.
harrymcballs
Golden, CO528 contributions
Apr 2017 • Friends
I pride myself on going to local markets whenever I travel abroad because there in no better way to understand a people or their culture. I have not experienced a market like this since I went to the market in Otavalo, Ecuador almost 20 years ago. This market is huge and overwhelming at times and will have your senses working overtime. The sounds, smells, visuals and taste found at this market are simply wonderful. Every turn presents a new adventure, an opportunity to understand just how wonderful and different Oaxaca is from almost any place you have traveled.
The food is absolutely wonderful, cheap and, prepared with the pride this region openly exhibits for its rich cultural traditions and its well earned reputation as the culinary capital of Mexico.
The food is absolutely wonderful, cheap and, prepared with the pride this region openly exhibits for its rich cultural traditions and its well earned reputation as the culinary capital of Mexico.
Written 13 April 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.
Alma N
Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico12 contributions
Aug 2018 • Family
My husband and two teenage granddaughter went to Mercado de Abastos after asking 3 Oaxacans if it was safe to visit, they all said the same thing "don't wear jewlery, don't display your cellphone, watch your wallet" and "its safe to visit". This is what we have been hearing all over the world when we travel and it's just common sense repeating itself wherever you travel to.
That said, we had an exciting time, the variety of fruits and vegetables was overwhelming, Oaxaca is a lush and verdant land! We went around 10 am and stayed about 2 hours, most of the other vendors were just setting up, so I suggest you go later if you want to buy non-produce. Everyone we asked for information was very helpful, courteous, and friendly, and we asked lots of questions about where to find a certain product, (pomegranates) and their uses (beef tallow candles). We loved it, so glad we went. Take a shopping bag or buy one early on because it was difficult to carry all our little bags until we had a couple of big bags. Enjoy your trip with no fear!
That said, we had an exciting time, the variety of fruits and vegetables was overwhelming, Oaxaca is a lush and verdant land! We went around 10 am and stayed about 2 hours, most of the other vendors were just setting up, so I suggest you go later if you want to buy non-produce. Everyone we asked for information was very helpful, courteous, and friendly, and we asked lots of questions about where to find a certain product, (pomegranates) and their uses (beef tallow candles). We loved it, so glad we went. Take a shopping bag or buy one early on because it was difficult to carry all our little bags until we had a couple of big bags. Enjoy your trip with no fear!
Written 21 August 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.
JoanneBee
Chittagong City, Bangladesh96 contributions
Aug 2018 • Solo
I'm a 70 year old woman, and I will be going to Centro de Abastos tomorrow for some regular shopping, and some wonderful empanadas. I go all the time. I usually get a bit lost, as it is huge, but that is the fun of it. I always find something new. If you are afraid to travel, stay home and shop at your local super. If you have traveled far enough to get to Oaxaca, you should be up to Centro de Abastos. Oh, and I am a gringa, but I live here in Oaxaca.
Written 20 August 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.
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