19 Best Markets in Cancun (2023): Your Ultimate Cancun Market Shopping Guide 

Looking for the best markets in Cancun? Look no further! I live in Cancun and I love exploring markets, even the ones that I consider a little too touristy. There is something special in each of them and in this post, I will tell you all about it, so you can decide which one to visit.

Besides looking for an original souvenir to bring home, visiting some of the markets in Cancun can be an experience of a lifetime. Keep reading to learn all about each and every one of them and how to make the most of your experience, besides some useful safety tips.

Best Markets in Cancun

There are markets sprinkled all over Cancun- both downtown and the hotel zone. Knowing where to shop will help you get the best prices and variety of items to choose from.

In Cancun you can find everything from handmade crafts to international brand-name items- you just need to know where to look. Here are the markets you do not want to miss in Cancun

1. Mercado 28

Mercado 28 is located in downtown Cancun just off of Xel-Ha at Plaza San Miguel. If you are interested in buying authentic Mexican handicrafts, this is the market for you.

This huge market is filled with countless stalls and small stores that have all the colorful Mexican products you could want- blankets, textiles, and handwoven clothing.

You can also find colorful Mexican pottery, handblown glass, and all sorts of items made of leather, including shoes, belts, and wallets.

Visiting Mercado 28 is an experience in and of itself. You will not find marked prices on any of the items, so be prepared to negotiate with vendors.

A good buying technique is to take your time looking around, many shops sell similar items, and ask several vendors about prices.

Remember to always be respectful while negotiating, and have a good time.

Once you have shopped, you can stop by the best restaurants in downtown Cancun nearby or food stands. This is your chance to try the authentic, regional food that locals love (and at great prices!). Make sure to take cash with you to Mercado 28.

Tip: You can also find alcohol, jewelry, and even vendors selling tours. While most vendors are honest, be suspicious of anyone selling things at prices that seem too good to be true. Mercado 28 is open daily from 9 am to 7 pm.

2. Market 23

Market 23, or Mercado 23, is located in downtown Cancun at the intersection of Avenida Tulum and Avenida Chichen Itza. Unlike Mercado 28 which attracts a lot of tourists, Market 23 is where locals shop.

The outside perimeter of the market has several souvenir shops, but once you get inside you will find shops that sell fresh produce, cheese, meats, and all sorts of regional spices and ingredients.

Market 23 has great prices on produce, and you can often find a more extensive variety of local fruits than in the large supermarkets.

Depending on the season you can find pitaya, dragon fruit, nance, and guayabas among many others.

Similar to Mercado 28, Market 23 has several vendors that sell freshly made fruit juice, and all sorts of local foods. Make sure to go hungry and sample some tacos and other local specialties! 

3. Mercado Coral Negro

Mercado Coral Negro is located next to the Forum by the Sea shopping center at kilometers 9.5 in the hotel zone.

It is the only flea market in the hotel zone and a great place to shop for both souvenirs and traditional Mexican goods.

Mercado Coral Negro has all the typical souvenir items you could possibly want- colorful hats, bags, t-shirts, key chains, shot glasses, etc. with Cancun printed all over them.

Mixed in with these popular souvenir items are quality handmade items.

Mercado Coral Negro is a great place to pick up hand-painted Mexican pottery, traditional woven clothing, and hammocks. This market also has a large variety of jewelry, including Mexican silver.

Be patient as you shop around- there is so much merchandise here, but if you are patient you can find some incredible deals!

Be prepared for aggressive vendors, and always try to haggle the price a little bit. The Coral Negro Market is open every day from 8 am to 10 pm. 

4. Tulum Avenue Market

Tulum Avenue is one of the main roads that goes through downtown Cancun. If you have the chance, it is worth taking a stroll here and checking out the variety of cafes, restaurants, art galleries, and shops.

As you wander on Avenida Tulum you will inevitably arrive at Mercado Ki Huic. Mercado Ki Huic is one of the oldest markets in Cancun and is located near the entrance to the hotel zone.

At Mercado Ki Huic you will find all sorts of souvenirs and gift items, including colorful textiles, clothing, and pottery. Among the shops, you will find street vendors selling handicrafts, as well as food stalls and street food.

Make sure to take cash with you for your shopping, and be prepared to negotiate prices. Many vendors sell similar products, so if you cannot get the price you want on something, keep walking and try at the next stall.

The market is open every day from 9 am to 8 pm. 

5. Plaza Las Americas

Plaza Las Americas is made up of two shopping centers that are connected- Plaza Las Americas and Malecon Las Americas.

Located on Avenida Bonampak in downtown Cancun, near the entrance to the hotel zone, Plaza las Americas is a popular shopping mall for both locals and tourists.

There you will find a variety of regional and international brands and stores selling clothing, shoes, books, furniture, and home goods.

There are also hair and nail salons, a grocery store, a movie theatre, a children’s play area, an arcade, and a trampoline park.

When you get hungry there are international chain restaurants as well as cafes ice cream shops and a food court. It is open every day from 10 am to 10 pm

6. Kukulcan Plaza

Kukulcan Plaza is located at kilometer 13 in the hotel zone. It was built in 1992, but has recently been remodeled, and was one of the area’s first major shopping centers.

This air-conditioned, two-story shopping center gives you great views of the Nichupte Lagoon and is where you can find a bit of everything you are looking for souvenirs, sunglasses, jewelry, and clothing.

The clothing shops range from internationally known brands to small boutiques. 

Plus, the shopping center has a grocery store, pharmacy, banks, and a variety of restaurants.

Plaza Kukulcan does not get as crowded as some of the newer shopping centers in Cancun and is a great spot for a relaxed shopping experience. It is open daily from 10 am to 10 pm. 

7. Mayan Market Cancun

The Mayan Market is located at kilometer 16.5 in the hotel zone, across the street from the Mayan Museum.

At the Mayan Market, you will find locally sourced Mayan-inspired clothing and jewelry.

This is a great spot to find authentic handicrafts. The Mayan Market also sells a variety of tequilas from small, independent producers. It is open daily from 8:30 am to 6 pm. 

8. Las Plazas Outlet Cancun

If you love to shop at outlet malls, you are in luck. Cancun has its own, open-air outlet mall.

Just like in other countries, this outlet mall is known for having great deals on well-known brands such as Nike, Adidas, and Calvin Klein.

In addition to a variety of stores, you will find restaurants and a movie theatre there. 

Plazas Outlet Cancun is located in downtown Cancun, just off of Andres Quintana Roo, and open daily from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. 

9. Manos Mágicas (Jardin del Arte)

Mano Magicas is located in the Jardin de Arte, or Art Garden, at kilometers 4.5 in the hotel zone. Manos Magicas has over 200 different artisans selling their handicrafts.

If you want to buy something locally made, and even have the chance to chat with the artist, this is a must-stop for you to shop at.

In addition to the market selling crafts, the Jardin del Arte offers workshops where you can learn from different artisans. 

10. La Isla Shopping Village

The beautiful open-air layout complete with waterways and bridges to stroll along is part of what makes La Isla Shopping Village one of the most popular shopping centers in Cancun.

In addition to the beautiful layout, this shopping center has over 100 different stores to check out. You can find clothes, jewelry, sunglasses, and souvenirs there.

There is more to do at La Isla than just shop, there are several different restaurants to choose from, a movie theatre, and a wax museum.

You can enjoy the property by taking a gondola ride along the waterways or going up on the Ferris Wheel for amazing views of Cancun.

At La Isla Shopping Village you can find places to exchange money, pharmacies, car rental agencies, and tour operators.

The shopping center is open every day from 8 am to 11 pm and is located in the heart of the hotel zone at kilometer 12.5. 

11. Plaza la Fiesta

Plaza la Fiesta is located at a kilometer 12.5 in the hotel zone and a great spot to do all your souvenir and gift shopping.

Plaza la Fiesta has all the Mexican products and handicrafts you could want to take home with you as a souvenir or to give as presents.

You can find everything from clothing to handicrafts to hot sauce and tequila there. It is open every day from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. 

12. Puerto Cancun Marina Town Center

Puerto Cancun Marina Town Center is one of the newest and trendiest shopping centers in Cancun.

It is located in the area of town called Punta Cancun, which is in the hotel zone, but just a kilometer and a half from downtown Cancun.

Puerto Cancun Marina Town Center is an open-air shopping center that is connected to a marina. There is more to do there than just shop at the different stores.

You can stroll around and visit the different cafes and restaurants, or visit the onsite gym, trampoline park, and mini golf course. There is also a circus park, ziplining, and a climbing wall!

13. Tianguis de la 94

If you really want to shop like a local, you need to visit a tianguis. Tianguis are open-air markets, or bazaars that pop up on streets on certain days of the week.

Local vendors come to sell produce and prepared food items, as well as clothing and household goods.

Many people set up stands at the tianguis to sell second-hand clothing and home goods.

The Tianguis de la 94 gets its name from the area of Cancun it is in zone 94. The bazaar stretches several blocks from Avenida Juarez to Leona Vicario on Calle 56 Norte.

It happens on Saturdays from 2 pm to 9 pm. This is the place to go if you want to find Mexican antiques, furniture, food, and handicrafts.

14. Mercado de la 95

The Mercado de la 95 is different from most markets in Cancun. Its focus is only on fresh produce. This is the place many locals go to for fresh groceries, some grown by local producers.

You can find organic fruits and vegetables as well as cheese, eggs, meat, and seafood. This market may remind you of a farmer’s market. It is located at Komchen 36, 59 and is open daily from 7 am to 3 pm. 

15. El Mercadito

El Mercadito is a market in downtown Cancun that sells fresh fruits and vegetables and a variety of different regional products.

In addition to great quality produce, you can pick up spices and traditional Mexican candies. El Mercadito is located on Avenida Puerto Juarez, Supermanzana 100. 

16. Plaza 28

Plaza 28 is located near Mercado 28 on Avenida Tankah, Supermanzana 25 in downtown Cancun. Plaza 28 is often confused with Mercado 28, and it has a similar variety of products.

Here you can find shirts, hats, keychains, and traditional Mexican handicrafts.

If you go to this area of town to shop, it can be worth it to check out both Plaza 28 and Mercado 28 to compare prices. Many visitors find similar products for a cheaper price at Mercado 28.

17. Luxury Avenue Mall Cancun 

Luxury Avenue Mall in Cancun is exactly what you would expect for a place with this name. This is where you can go to find high-end, international designer brands.

If you are interested in name-brand jewelry, handbags, and watches this is where to shop. You will find Cartier, Rolex, and Carolina Herrera among others.

Luxury Avenue offers valet parking and a watch repair service. Throughout the year the mall hosts fashion events and has a coffee bar.

It is located at kilometer 13.5 in the hotel zone and is open every day from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. 

18. Plaza Caracol

Plaza Caracol is located at kilometer 8.5 in the hotel zone. It is one of the oldest shopping centers in Cancun and is often overshadowed by the newer, larger malls.

That said, it is still a great place to go for a laid-back shopping experience. You can find sunglasses, jewelry, clothing, and souvenirs here. There is also a cafe and ice cream shop to enjoy there.

The mall is open every day from 10 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. 

19. Walmart Cancun

If you are looking for a one-stop shopping center in Cancun, check out Walmart. There you will find groceries, produce, a bakery, and you can even find souvenirs.

The Cancun Walmart has a variety of shirts, hats, and traditional food items that you can easily pick up as a souvenir while you are doing your other shopping.

Walmart is located in downtown Cancun at Avenida Coba, and you can easily take public transportation there.

Markets in Cancun Map

Markets in Cancun Shopping Tips

It is a lot of fun to shop at the markets in Cancun. When you go to the large markets, especially Mercado 28, take your time looking at the different products before purchasing anything. Many stalls have similar products, and you want to see all your options before committing.

You will need to negotiate the price with the vendor, so it is a good idea to not let them know how emotionally committed you are to buying it. Have an idea of a price you are willing to pay for an item and walk away if they are asking too much. It is easier to negotiate this way.

You will need to have cash for most of the markets in Cancun. Large shopping centers will take debit or credit cards, but small vendors often only take cash. To get the best exchange rate, make sure to have pesos with you. 

Most sellers are honest, but be aware of scams. If someone is selling a piece of jewelry or a bottle of alcohol for a deal that seems too good to be true- it probably is.  

What to Buy in Cancun Markets

There is no shortage of great things to buy in Cancun. There are modern malls that have regional and international brands of clothing, sunglasses, and shoes.

Plus, Mexico has a rich history of handicrafts. Here are some of the best things to take home with you from your vacation:

👉🏽 Traditional Mexican Souvenirs

There are countless souvenir markets in Cancun where you can pick up traditional items such as woven blankets, colorful pottery, hats, bags, and decorations for your house. 

👉🏽 Artisanal Crafts and Textiles

Mexico is known for its colorful textiles and clothing. You can find all sorts of brightly colored textiles, including blankets, pillow covers, and tablecloths.

You can also pick up hand-woven blankets and fabrics, or shop for traditional embroidered shirts, bags, and hats. 

👉🏽 Jewelry and Gemstones

Mexico has a long history of making quality silver products. Many of these pieces come from Taxco. You can find high-quality pieces for great prices.

In Cancun, you can also find jewelry that is inspired by Mayan designs with large gemstones. 

👉🏽 Local Clothing and Fashion

Shop around for some fun clothing to take home with you. You can look for traditional Mayan clothing that features hand-embroidered patterns.

Men can look for stylish guayaberas. These formal shirts are used all over the Yucatan Peninsula- many politicians use them as their preferred shirts. They are stylish button-down shirts made from linen that are worn outside of pants.

In addition to all the traditional clothing, you can check out local small boutiques that design clothing.

👉🏽 Food and Spices

Regional food that you cannot get at home makes for a great souvenir or gift. You can find great consumables all over at markets where locals shop for their homes, grocery stores, and many souvenir shops.

Tequilas that are only sold in Mexico are always a great option, as well as mezcal. Mexico is known for great vanilla, candies with chile, and many unique spices.

Frequently Asked Questions

Wrapping-Up: Best Markets in Cancun

Cancun is known for its beautiful beaches and turquoise water, but it also has amazing shopping. There are markets all over downtown and the hotel zone.

They range from modern shopping centers where you can find jewelry, clothing, and shoes, to traditional markets where you can find local produce and handmade crafts.

On your next trip to Cancun make sure to budget some time for shopping, and have plenty of space in your suitcase for your purchases.