Mercado 28 Cancun: Hours, Prices, Photos and My Honest Review (2026)

Mercado 28 is the classic souvenir and flea market of downtown Cancun, and after years of living in the city I still think it is the best single stop for gifts, crafts, and a cheap authentic lunch. It is not a polished experience: vendors call out to you, prices are invented on the spot, and the first offer is always double what you should pay.

In this guide I cover the opening hours, what things actually cost, how to get there by bus (and the fake “Market 28” building that confuses everyone), my photos from my last visit, and how it compares to Mercado 23 nearby.

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Mercado 28 in Cancun: At a glance

Mercado 28 is a large market located in downtown Cancun. Its colorful stalls have everything you could ask for, from typical souvenirs to handicrafts.

And, as a bonus, Mercado 28 has some of Cancun’s best cheap eats. You can spend some time shopping and then re-energize with an authentic snack.

Even if you are staying in the hotel zone, it is worth a trip downtown to check out this shopping area. 

Mercado 28 Cancun Hours (right after “At a glance”)

Mercado 28 is open daily from 9:00 am to 8:00 pm. Individual stalls set their own schedules, so the market is at its fullest between about 10 am and 6 pm. Go right at opening for photos without crowds and calmer vendors. The restaurant section is busiest and freshest at lunchtime, roughly 1 to 4 pm.

Mercado 28 Map

Mercado 28 Photos: What It Looks Like Inside

These photos are all mine, taken on my most recent visit in March 2025. This is what the market really looks like: the entrance arch, the souvenir corridors, the restaurant patio, and the quieter back rows where bargaining is easier.

Mercado 28 Prices: What Things Cost After Bargaining

Prices at Mercado 28 are never marked, so here is what to aim for after negotiating. A cotton t-shirt around 100-150 pesos. Embroidered blouses from 250 pesos depending on the work. Decent vanilla 150-250 pesos. Talavera-style ceramics from 100 pesos for small pieces. A lunch plate in the restaurant section 120-180 pesos. The first price you hear is roughly double the fair one, and stalls deeper inside start lower than the ones at the entrance.

What to find at Mercado 28 Cancun?

Maybe a better question to ask is, what can you NOT find at Mercado 28?

This busy market has a little bit of everything- if you are willing to look around. The amount of goods can be overwhelming, but if you have patience, you can find some treasures.

Mercado 28 Directory: What’s Inside

The market is organized in a rough grid around a central courtyard. Souvenir and T-shirt stalls dominate the outer corridors; handicrafts and textiles are on one side; the jewelry shops sit near the main entrance; and the restaurants are scattered arount the markets. There is no official directory posted, so walk the full loop once before buying anything.

👉🏻 Colorful Souvenirs 

Whether you are looking for a souvenir for yourself or gifts to take home to family and friends, Mercado 28 is a great place to look for souvenirs.

You will find a huge variety of t-shirts, hats, and all sorts of colorful gifts to take home with you. 

👉🏻 Authentic handmade crafts

Mercado 28 in Cancun is a great place to check out Mexican handicrafts.

Mexico is known for a variety of handmade products including colorful textiles, embroidered clothing, colorful glass, leather, and so much more.

Look around the market to find some beautiful and authentic Mexican products.

Don’t forget to check out the authentic Mexican candies, vanilla, coffee, and tequila options too!

👉🏻 Local foods and restaurants

No trip to Mercado 28 would be complete without eating some delicious local food.

There is a section of the market with small restaurants and food stalls. This is your chance to really eat like a local. The restaurants here serve regional favorites with plenty of hot sauce. 

Things to know before shopping at Mercado 28 Cancun

A visit to Mercado 28 is a must-do for shopping in Cancun. Here are a few things to know to make your visit a success.

1. The Bus Does Not Drop You Directly at Mercado 28

Mercado 28 is in downtown Cancun. It is easy to get there from the hotel zone.

You can take the R2 bus- just let the driver know that you want to be dropped off at Mercado 28. Just beware that the bus stop is not actually at Mercado 28, it is, confusingly enough, at a shopping center called Market 28.

Do not let this pink-colored building with jewelry shops trick you- the real deals are at Mercado 28.

All you need to do to get to the real Mercado 28 is walk a few more blocks up the street and you will come to a large archway that is the real entrance to Mercado 28. 

If you are already in downtown Cancun, you might be able to walk to Mercado 28. It is a short distance from the ADO bus station and Parque Las Palapas. 

2. Don’t buy the first item you see

With so many stalls to look through, it can be tempting to buy the first item you see.

Remember, the market is huge and many shops sell similar items. Take the time to shop around, find exactly what you want, and check the price at various stalls.

You do not want to have shopper’s remorse because you purchased something without checking out all your options.

3. Don’t pay the full price; bargain instead

When you start shopping around in Mercado 28 you will quickly notice that nothing has a marked price.

This is because shop owners expect to bargain with you for the price. Know your budget and ask the vendors what the price is, and then make a counteroffer.

Since so many vendors sell similar products, ask around different shops to find the best deal. Tip: Never let the seller see you are emotionally committed to an item. Be prepared to walk away if the price seems too high.

Most of the time they will call you back over with a better price. If not, you can always find a similar version of the item you want.  

4. Be aware of jewelry store scams

Be careful when you are shopping for jewelry. Vacation destinations are notorious for shops that sell fake, or poor-quality jewelry.

If you are going to shop for jewelry, especially silver, do your homework before going. It helps if you have an idea of what a piece of jewelry should cost and how to tell if it is fake or not.

Take your time to really examine the jewelry and remember, if the price seems too good to be true, it probably is. 

I cover all the classic tourist traps in my guide to the most common scams in Cancun.

5. Local vendors can be persistent

For many visitors, it can be a bit of a culture shock to go to a market where the vendors are aggressively trying to sell you something.

Be prepared when you enter Mercado 28 that there will be persistent vendors who try to engage you in conversation, show you their goods, and work hard to get a sale.

If you are not interested in a product just simply say “No, gracias” and keep moving. 

6. You can find local tour guides at Mercado 28

In addition to all the souvenirs and handicrafts you can find at Mercado 28, you will also find vendors who can book tours for you.

These vendors will often be able to offer you tours at lower prices than your hotel can. Just take the time to verify that they are legitimate vendors, and be suspicious of anyone offering you tours at prices that seem way too low. 

Where is Mercado 28 located in Cancun?

Mercado 28 is located in downtown Cancun, off Xel-Ha at Plaza San Miguel. Its address is Xel-Ha Mz 13, 77509, Cancun. It is in downtown Cancun and easy to get to from the hotel zone using public transportation. 

How to get to Mercado 28 Cancun

🚍 How to Get to Mercado 28 from the Hotel Zone (R-2 Bus)

The cheapest way to get to Mercado 28 from the hotel zone is to hop on the R-2 bus. Just tell the driver you want to go to Mercado 28.

As mentioned above, the bus stop is not the real Mercado 28. You will need to continue walking a few blocks and you will find the large letters showing the entrance to Mercado 28.

🚖 Car / Taxi

You can drive a car or take a taxi to Mercado 28. Be aware that there is no parking at Mercado 28, so it might be easier to take a taxi.

As always, make sure you establish the taxi fare with the driver before getting into the taxi. 

👍🏻 Book a tour

✔ Cancun City Tour and Shopping 

4 ⭐ 558 Reviews

Experience Cancun on this sightseeing and shopping tour. You will visit Mercado 28, the Tequila Museum, and have the chance to get your picture taken in front of the colorful Cancun sign at Playa Delfines.

Between the stops you will travel along Boulevard Kukulcan and Avenida Tulum to see important Cancun landmarks. This tour lasts 5 to 6 hours.

✔ Cancun Guided Bus City Tour  

4.5 ⭐ 104 Reviews

See parts of Cancun that you would miss on your own.

This tour takes you beyond the beach to Mercado 28 to shop for Mexican products, to a well-known mall, to Playa Delfines to admire the amazing beach and take pictures with the Cancun sign, and to a tequila museum.

All along the way you will learn about Cancun’s history. The tour lasts 5 hours. 

✔ TACO Tour Cancun with City Tour, Tacos, Tequila, Beer and Shopping

5.0 ⭐ 158 Reviews

Try the best tacos in Cancun and discover downtown Cancun with this city tour. You will get to try traditional taco flavors, shop at a local craft market, and sample tequila. This tour lasts 2 to 4 hours. 

Is Mercado 28 Cancun safe for tourists?

Yes, Mercado 28 is safe for tourists, including solo travelers. It sits in a normal commercial part of downtown, minutes from the ADO station.

The risks are financial, not physical: inflated prices, fake silver, and pushy tour sellers. Keep your bag closed in the crowded corridors and you will be fine.

Mercado 28 vs Mercado 23

Short version: Mercado 28 for souvenirs and variety, Mercado 23 for food and a more local feel

Mercado 23 is located near the bus station and is much smaller than Mercado 28.

You will find lots of local shopping at Mercado 23 for their fresh fruits and vegetables, and meats. There are also tortilla shops and bakeries, plus several small restaurants serving regional food.

There is a small area of this market where you can find souvenirs for a good deal, but the market is not very touristy.

Mercado 28, on the other hand, is huge and has every kind of souvenir and Mexican handicraft you could desire. Mercado 28 is an experience worth visiting, with loud vendors, colorful products, and so much to see.

If you want the full picture, I compare all the markets in Cancun in a separate guide.

Is Mercado 28 Worth It? My Honest Review

Here is my honest take after more visits than I can count. Mercado 28 is worth an hour or two if you want souvenirs, a cheap lunch, and a bit of theater; the bargaining is half the fun once you relax into it. It is not worth it if you hate being approached by vendors, and you will find the same goods at Mercado 23 with less pressure, just less variety.

Quality varies wildly: the textiles and vanilla are legitimate finds, the “silver” mostly is not (see the scam section). Reviews online average around 4 stars and that feels right to me: go with the right expectations and cash in small bills, and you will enjoy it.

Frequently Asked Questions

What bus goes from Cancun Hotel Zone to Mercado 28?

The R-2 bus goes from the hotel zone to Mercado 28. You will need to walk a few blocks from the bus stop to the market.

Is shopping in Mercado 28 cheap?

It can be. Remember, the vendors will expect you to haggle the price down and will quote you high prices to begin the negotiation. Check prices at various shops before committing to buying anything to get the best price.

Is there a parking lot available in Mercado 28?

No, there is no parking lot at Mercado 28, so it is a good idea to walk there, take a taxi, or take the bus. 

Final Thoughts: Mercado 28 Cancun

A visit to Mercado 28 is about more than just shopping- it is an experience. Make sure to take your time strolling among the stalls, check out souvenirs and Mexican handicrafts, and don’t forget to buy yourself some cheap, regional food. Go prepared for noise, excitement, and the chance to haggle for a great deal!