Mercado San Felipe de Jesús & Tianguis

The Mercado San Felipe de Jesús is the big neighborhood market in the famous neighborhood of the same name. As the giant Sunday tianguis really puts the neighborhood on the map, the market is necessarily right in the middle. Billed as the biggest street market in Latin America, many out-of-town visitors will start a visit at the other market in the area, 25 de julio. That might put off some Sunday shoppers, as it’s a market heavily focused on tools and hardware. And the tianguis is so big, streets are often lined with those same tools, equipment, and heavy duty building supplies. Both markets are home to about 250 official vendors, each. Outside on Sundays, many more ply their trade.

But push through the crowded Sunday streets to here, and you’ll be rewarded with a giant traditional market. Of course, on Sunday’s this market will be spilling out too. The streets are so thick with vendors, no single person will ever discover it all.

The Mercado San Felipe also has a local following. Diners hold kitchens here in high regard for daily prepared meals of the highest quality. And some of that food gets served outside on Sundays. There’s a lot to take in.

Shoppers hit the tianguis for sportswear and sneakers, probably more than anything else. But the giant tianguis promises something for everyone. There’s far more than can be listed, and discovering it remains half the fun.

Hours: Market hours are Monday through Saturday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Sundays, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The Sunday tianguis begins setting up and opening early. By mid-afternoon, some vendors will begin tearing back down.