13 Diverse & Colorful Oaxaca Markets to Visit
One of the best things to do in Oaxaca City is to simply visit, wander, and eat in the plentiful Oaxaca markets. The markets are a busy and lively place, where locals and tourists shop to find the best and freshest produce, dried goods, breads, specialty items, and even grab a juice or a quick bit to eat. Larger markets like Mercado de Abastos have anything and everything you could possibly ever need.
The Oaxaca markets are the best places to find the most authentic food. Oaxaca has its own unique cuisine, so the market is the perfect place to sample items like memelas, tlayudas, or one of the seven moles originating from Oaxaca. Want a snack? Try the chapulines, which are grasshoppers that are toasted on a comal and seasoned to perfectionism.
☛ Oaxaca Travel Tip | Traveling just for the food? Here’s over 60+ of my favorite places to eat in Oaxaca
Each neighborhood in Oaxaca has at least one local marketplace. Of course, with the rich and surrounding villages there are a wide range of artisan shops. Travelers who are looking to experience one of the oldest and most authentic Oaxaca Markets should visit the Tlacolula Oaxaca Sunday Market.
In this guide, find a mixture of the most popular Oaxaca markets along with some local and organic markets. Don’t be afraid to walk in a random market, you may never know what treasures awaits behind the entrance door.
Here are 13 awesome markets in Oaxaca to visit and what to see, do, and eat in each one!
Table of Contents
- Popular Oaxaca Markets
- More Oaxaca Markets
- Organic Oaxaca Markets
- Oaxaca Markets for Artisan Goods
- Markets near Oaxaca Worth the Trip
- The Best Oaxaca Markets
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Popular Oaxaca Markets
Theses are the four most popular, famous, and busiest markets in Oaxaca Mexico. Visiting a Oaxaca market is one of the best Oaxaca food experiences you need to try!
Benito Juarez Market Oaxaca
Only two blocks from the Zocolo, Mercado Benito Juarez is one of the most visited markets in Oaxaca. This colorful market boasts everything, from mezcal, produce, spices, incense, dried goods, candles, Oaxacan coffee, chocolates, and more.
The Benito Juarez Market also boasts flower stands, food and juice stands, and has artisan goods from sandals, purses, artwork, and more. Find make shift vendors setting up in the walkways selling chapulines, tortillas, and the famous and delicious stringy Oaxaca cheese.
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Aguas Frescas Susi is an excellent place to try two Oaxaca snack staples: Piedrazo and Horchata con Tuna. Piedrazos is a hard bread that is soaked in a spicy vinegar with carrots and onions and then covered with Oaxaca cheese. Don’t forget the chili! Horchata is a popular Mexican drink made from sweet rice and mixed with cinnamon and sugar. Susi’s does it right by adding in nuts, cantaloupe, and tuna. No it’s not the fish, but rather, a red fruit from the prickly pear cactus.
This market is busy and awakens all the senses. Thing is a must visit in Oaxaca.
Find it here: Flores Magón y Colón | Hours: Daily, 7:00 – 21:00 | Facebook Page | Don’t miss: Aguas Frescas Susi
Mercado 20 de Noviembre
Literally next door to Benito Juarez Market Oaxaca is Mercado 20 de Noviembre. This is a market that focuses more on food stalls. Find this market filled at lunch time with hungry locals and tourists alike. There are multiple stalls selling Pan de yema, or “yolk bread.” This yellowish flour bread is sweet and made with extra egg yolks.
Many of the food stalls sell giant tlayudas, which are similar to a Mexican pizza, on a massive tortilla. Top it with beans, Oaxacan cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, and all the condiments.
The most famous thing in this market in Oaxaca is the “Pasillo de Humo,” or the corridor of smoke, or more commonly, the Hall of Meats. This long hallway is filled with vendors grilling fresh meat on open grills, creating a smokey and totally fun place to grab a lunch. Order whatever meat your heart desires tasajo (beef), cecina (thinly sliced beef), chorizo (beef and pork spicy sausage), or a combo of them all.
Stop at the first stalls to grab your favorite condiments, which are also usually grilled. Try to find an open table and wait for the women to walk by that sell fresh tortillas. Flag down someone to grab a beverage or a beer. This is one of the most authentic places to eat in Oaxaca.
Find it here: 20 de Noviembre 512 | Hours: Daily, 7:00 – 21:00 | Don’t miss: The Hall of Meats
Abastos Market Oaxaca
Mercado de Abastos is the largest and most local market in Oaxaca. This is a bustling central marketplace. Don’t expect this place to be as “well groomed” as some of the other popular markets in the city. This is an authentic market that is frequented by the locals and it can get pretty crowded. Petty theft is common, so always be mindful of your belongings.
Expect to find every type of gadget, clothing, artisan good, or any weird specialty item that your heart desires.
Netflix fanatics will want to visit the food stall Memelas “Doña Vale to sample her world famous memelas.
Find it here: Juárez Maza, Central de Abasto | Hours: Daily, 8:00 – 20:00 | Don’t miss: Doña Vale
Mercado de la Merced
Another popular Oaxaca market is La Merced, which is located close to the border of the trendy neighborhood of Jalatlaco. This market isn’t nearly as busy as the downtown markets, but still offers a small food court, lots of produce, flowers, dry goods, meats and cheese stalls, and juice stands.
Head to to the back to try the local favorite spot of Fonda Florecita, a popular place to grab a cheap and fast breakfast.
Find it here: Morelos esq. Nicolas del Puerto | Hours: Daily, 7:00 – 17:00 | Facebook Page | Don’t miss: Fonda Florecita
More Oaxaca Markets
Here are some more noteworthy Oaxaca markets with less crowds, but just as nice pass through.
Mercado Sánchez Pascuas
The Sanchez Pascuas market in Oaxaca is a gem. There are lots of nice produce stalls, dried goods, some clothing stands, meat stalls, juice stands, and specialty stalls selling items like medicinal bags of natural teas.
This market has a nice open courtyard in the front with benches and street art. Arrive early in the morning to buy fresh and beautiful flowers from the women who set-up temporary flower stands.
Find it here: Calle Porfirio Díaz, Calle de Tinoco y Palacios 719 | Hours: Daily, 6:30 – 17:00 | Facebook Page | Don’t miss: Fresh flowers in the morning
Mercado Hidalgo
The Hidalgo Market is located in the heart of the Reforma neighborhood in Oaxaca. This small market has beautiful produce and oftentimes specialty produce items that are harder to find, like lemons. There are a few food stalls and a small food court that offers up carne asada, or the popular grilled meats.
If you find yourself wandering in the Reforma neighborhood, definitely visit this marketplace.
Find it here: Mercado Hidalgo, Caseta 13, Reforma | Hours: Daily, 6:00 – 17:00 | Facebook Page | Don’t miss: The fresh produce stalls
Organic Oaxaca Markets
Organic markets in Oaxaca and Mexico in general are becoming increasingly popular. Here are two popular markets in Oaxaca that are leading the way in the organic movement.
Mercado Organico La Cosecha
The La Cosecha market in Oaxaca is totally adorable. Walk into a covered courtyard that has bench seating and a few tables to enjoy typical plates of Oaxacan cuisine. There are multiple food stalls serving everything from coffee, hot chocolate, regional dishes, vegan deserts, mezcal, and more.
There is one stall specifically selling tejate, a pre-historic maize and cacao drink that has a frothy texture. This unique drink actually starts as a paste that is made by hand and then water is added. This drink is especially popular in the afternoon for a quick and natural caffeinated “pick me up.”
In the Organic Market of La Cosecha there are also vendors selling natural produce, coffees, plants, and juices. You can find fresh herbs and natural spices. In the front there is also a stand selling natural beauty products from soaps to deodorants. This gem spot is the perfect place to the afternoon.
Find it here: C. Macedonio Alcalá 806 | Hours: Wed – Sun, 9:00 – 16:45 | Facebook Page | Don’t miss: Enjoy a meal or beverage in the patio
The Rayón Pochote Organic Market
The Rayon Pochote Organic Market is another fantastic place to sit in a courtyard and eat typical Oaxacan cuisine. Inside, find a wide range of food stalls serving up smoothies, coffee drinks, and hearty plates of food made from organic products.
Connected to the courtyard, find a few tiendas selling specialty organic products. This is an excellent place to enjoy a lunch in Oaxaca.
Find it here: Rayón 411 | Hours: Daily, 8:00 – 18:00 | Facebook Page | Don’t miss: Enjoying a lunch here
Oaxaca Markets for Artisan Goods
Oaxaca is famous for its deep ties and connections to the surrounding Indigenous communities. Many of these communities are making unique handicraft items using traditions that have been passed down from generation to generation. While many of the nearby villages sell their items from their homes or in local marketplaces, there are tons of artisan markets to browse in Oaxaca Mexico.
Mercado de Artesanias de Oaxaca
The Artisan Market Oaxaca is a popular market to shop at and is only a few blocks from the November 20 Market. In here find anything from shoes, dresses, jewelry, pottery, and alebrijes, or colorful hand-painted “spirit animals” carved from wood.
There are plenty of vendors selling beautiful dresses and typical shirts worn in Oaxaca. The Mercado de Artesanias de Oaxaca is a nice market to browse while visiting the nearby popular Oaxaca markets.
Find it here: Gral. Ignacio Zaragoza | Hours: Mon – Sat, 12:00 – 19:00
La Casa de las Artesanías de Oaxaca
A massive and centrally located Oaxaca artisan market to visit is La Casa de las Artesanias de Oaxaca. This giant “house” has rooms on rooms and each highlights a handicraft from the Oaxaca region. Inside, find everything from alebrijes, black pottery from San Bartolo Coyotepec, textiles, rugs, wall hangings, silver workings, skeletons, and more.
Walking through an artisan market like this puts into perspective the culturally richness of the diverse Oaxaca region.
Find it here: Mariano Matamoros 105 | Hours: Mon – Sat, 9:00 – 21:00, Sun 10:00 – 18:00 | Facebook Page
Markets Near Oaxaca That Are Worth the Trip
With the diversity of the Oaxaca region, there are multiple markets that are nearby and worth the trip. There are large market days in surrounding villages daily.
☛ Travel Tip | To find some of the best local and authentic Oaxaca markets days by village check here
All of these Oaxaca Markets are well-connected with public transportation, making them some of the top Oaxaca day trips.
Tlacolula Oaxaca Sunday Market
Maybe the most famous and oldest market in Oaxaca is actually in the village of Tlacolula de Matamoros in the spectacular East Oaxaca Valley.
The Tlacolula market happens daily, however, the bustling Sunday Market is the longest running continuous markets in all of Mesoamerica, a busy trading hub for centuries of the Zapotec dynasty. The Tlacolula Oaxaca Sunday Market brings in over 1,000 vendors, all who set-up makeshift stalls along the closed-off streets. Vendors literally pour out of the main market building.
Expect to find tons of produce, meats, cheeses, food stalls, artisan goods, two sections dedicated to carne asadas, flowers, and bread stalls. What’s special here is the “Pan de Cazuela,” or casserole bread. This is a popular sweet bread made in the village that contains chocolate, raisins, and a pinch of cinnamon.
Another specialty found in this authentic market is the slow cooked barbacoa (goat), which has it’s own delicious “corridor” with beautiful mommy’s passing out yummy samples.
Snag an open seat in the alleyway and there’s a chance you’ll be serenaded by musicians.
A visit to the Tlacolula market is a must when visiting Oaxaca Mexico.
In the hamlet of Tlacolula, find a lovely plaza with a main church. There’s also a small square that sells ice cream and lots of outdoor tables, perfect for people watching.
Find it here: 70400 Int Mercado Municipal, Tlacolula de Matamoros | Hours: Daily, 6:00 – 20:00, with Sundays being the best market day | Facebook Page | Don’t miss: Finger-licking barbacoa from Puesto de Barbacoa “Aurelia”
How to Get to the Tlacolula Oaxaca Sunday Market
🚌 Oaxaca to Tlacolula | Take any bus or collectivo heading in the direction of Mitla or Tlacolula | Tlacolula has a bus terminal with buses to both Oaxaca and Mitla | Average Bus fare: $12 pesos (50¢ USD) | On Sundays the market begins as soon as you hop off the bus
Mercado de Artesanías La Asunción
This charming market in Oaxaca is located in Santa Maria Atzompa, a nearby village known for its pottery, specifically green pottery. However, there’s more here than green pottery here. Find beautiful mezcal serving trays, planters, crockery, and even jewelry made from beautiful and natural clay.
There are two levels in this colorful Oaxaca market. Each stall is owned by a local and volunteers are willing to help. Make sure to grab a basket upon entrance. They will also nicely wrap any purchases to help transport it home. On the top floor of the market is a small restaurant serving up food fresh from a comal.
It’s possible to walk through the village and stop in at the actual artisans homes and shops, but the Santa Maria Atzompa market is a great place to start.
Besides the La Asuncion market, Santa Maria Atzompa has a cute church plaza and a free hilltop ruin site that sits across the way from Monte Alban.
Find it here: Av Libertad 303-304, Santa Maria Atzompa | Hours: Daily, 9:00 – 20:00 | Don’t miss: a walk to the main Santa Maria Atzompa Plaza
Oaxaca to Santa Maria Atzompa
🚗 Santa Maria Atzompa Collectivos | One-way Fare: 10 pesos (50¢) | Collectivos depart frequently from close to Terminal Periferico here | Duration: less than 20 minutes
Teotitlan del Valle
The charming village of Teotitlan del Valle is most famous for its artisan workshops that make textiles, especially colorful rugs that made from natural dyes from plants and insects. There are multiple workshops to visit, so the entire village feels like a working artisan market.
There is a small main market in town and the Centro Cultural Comunitario Teotitlán del Valle. Next to the cultural center, find a large and open marketplace to purchase beautiful rugs.
In addition to all the wonderful and informative artisan shops, there’s a small, but worthwhile community museum. From here, purchase tickets to hike El Picacho, a sacred mountain that offers some of the best views in the entire East Oaxaca Valley.
Oaxaca to Teotitlan del Valle
🚌 Oaxaca to Teotitlán del Valle | Take any bus or collectivo heading in the direction of Mitla or Tlacolula | Exit on the main road to Teotitlán del Valle and flag down a Moto | Average Moto fare to village center: $10 pesos
The Best Oaxaca Markets
In short, these are some of the best Oaxaca markets that are found within the city and the nearby villages. Of course, the market plays an important role in daily life in Oaxaca, so each barrio, neighborhood, and village has at least one bustling marketplace. This is just a starting point of incredible Oaxaca markets to explore.
In all of the Oaxaca markets, expect to find fresh produce, meat stalls, specialty stands, artisan goods, flowers, and lots of food stalls. One of the best things to do in Oaxaca is to sample the unique cuisine of Oaxaca, and the market is the best place to delve in and start eating.
From popular markets, organic markets, artisan markets, and markets that have been running since civilizations long before our time, try to visit at least a different and unique markets in Oaxaca. You won’t regret it!
Have you been to any of the above Oaxaca markets? What did you think? Is there a market in Oaxaca that you loved that didn’t make the list? Let me know in the comments below!
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