Mercado Peñon de los Baños

The Mercado Peñon de los Baños is remarkably just a few minutes walk from Terminal One of the Mexico City airport. An ambitious traveler could make the walk in 15 minutes when taking a taxi would likely be too much trouble.

Climbing the incline of the hill, the market is also widely visible. One can see its fruit-flavored paintjob from two and sometimes three blocks away. That’s rare in a neighborhood rather unfairly cut in two by the Circuito Interior highway.

The highway runs north-south and divides the market from the actual Baños. Those, thankfully, are still on the west side of the highway. The market, still to the east, is right at the base of the Peñon. That’s the rocky hill that used to be an island in ancient Lake Texcoco. Today, it’s topped by the rather noteworthy spinning radar antenna. That’s part of the airport communications network.

Like nearly all public markets in Mexico City, this one is a great place for lunch. That’s especially true if you’re trying to escape chain-restaurants and airport food.  A 2017 UAM study counted 101 merchants within the Mercado Peñon de los Baños. That number will fluctuate, but among them is always a good handful of people hand-preparing quality food. Vegetables are fresh. Fruit is everywhere. You’re eating better, paying less, and supporting small businesses and even farmers. What more can you ask for?

The market is less than ten-minutes walk from the famous Peñon de los Baños medicinal baths, and directly behind the Santos Reyes parish church complex.

Hours: Daily, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.