Mercado Santa María Ticomán

The Mercado Santa María Ticomán opened in 1964. It’s been the neighborhood’s commercial, and to some extent, cultural center of life ever since. While it’s not the most enormous market, it fills an important role in providing produce and supplies fresher than one could easily get anywhere else in the area.

The church and cemetary of Santa María Ticomán, among the best preserved in the area, are actually north of the market area. Bisected by the Naucalpan-Ecatepec highway, one could be forgiven for thinking they’re two very different neighborhoods. In fact, the highway and lots of other local infrastructure follow the route of the old Guadalupe Aqueduct, so the division is not a recent development.

For international visitors, and those not simply passing overhead on the Cablebús, Ticomán is an ancient and fascinating area. The market just happens to make it easier to eat – and in fact – to eat very well. Among the vendors, you can always count on a few very good fondas and similar small-scale eateries. All of them are selling the area’s freshest possible food and for a fraction of what you’ll pay elsewhere.

• There’s some tips on eating at the market, here.

The Mercado Santa María Ticomán is in the north of the La Laguna Ticomán neighborhood. It’s a non-pretentious and family focused market, and for all that, it’s open and welcoming to people from all over the world.