All about Mercado Domingo in Mérida (2025 Guide)

Funny enough, I actually stumbled upon the Sunday market in Mérida for the first time while riding a bike during La Biciruta – Mérida’s weekly Sunday bike ride.

I hadn’t planned it, but I was cruising down the entire Paseo de Montejo toward the city center, and that ride led me straight into the heart of this colorful local scene.

I showed up with a rental bike but no lock – a 6-foot-4 guy, sweating and awkwardly maneuvering what felt like a kid-sized bicycle through the busy market crowd. Not exactly subtle. I'm pretty sure I turned more heads than some of the food stalls

Well, no matter how you get there, the Sunday market in Mérida (Mercado Domingo) is held every Sunday on Plaza Grande. The main square and a section of Calle 60 extending to Parque Santa Lucía close to traffic and transform into a street market.

Local Crafts, Food & Culture

The weekly Mercado Domingo in the heart of Mérida is a good place to pick up traditional handicraft products such as colorful textiles, leather goods, handmade ceramics, jewelry, hammocks and other traditional Mayan art.

Typical of the region are for example so-called bordados, which are hand-embroidered textiles such as tablecloths, bags, napkins and clothing that often feature traditional motifs and patterns. You can see some examples in the following picture.

However, you can do more than just shop for traditional handicrafts; you’ll also find fresh local fruits and vegetables, herbs and spices, artisan honey, homemade salsas, sauces and of course, some food stalls offering traditional dishes from the Yucatán region.

But don’t expect a large market – due to the limited space, the number of stalls is fairly small. The last time I visited on a Sunday, there were maybe a handful or two of larger stalls.

Prices & Haggling at the Market

Due to the weekly event Mérida en Domingo, you'll see plenty of locals too – but to be honest, the Sunday market is mostly geared toward tourists, and the prices reflect that.

And if you're thinking about bargaining – it's not as common in Mexico as it is in places like the Middle East or Southeast Asia. That said, it’s still worth a try, especially when you're buying handicrafts or souvenirs.

When it comes to food items, though, prices are usually fixed. Another thing to bear in mind is that most vendors at the market only accept cash. So make sure you have enough cash with you if you want to buy something.

What You Should Know

To make the most of your visit, here are some essential tips:

• Arrive early: It gets crowded fast, so come early for fewer people and better deals.

• Dress for the heat: Wear light clothes, bring a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen.

• Soak it all in: It’s more than shopping, enjoy the music and street performances.

• Taste local flavors: Try Cochinita, Panuchos & Agua Frescas from the street stalls.

And here's one last tip – and it’s a no-brainer in more ways than one: Since you’re already at Plaza Grande, take the opportunity to visit for example Mérida’s Cathedral, Museo Casa de Montejo, and the Palacio de Gobierno, which are all worth seeing.

Why Sundays Are Special in Mérida

Sundays are always a special day in Mérida, as various cultural events take place throughout the city. It's not just about the Sunday market in Plaza Grande, you'll also find live music, dance performances, and family-friendly activities in different neighborhoods.

Many parks and public squares host open-air concerts, traditional Yucatecan dance shows, and artisan markets, making Sunday the perfect day to experience the city's vibrant culture.

Mérida en Domingo is an all-day event. One of the highlights is the Vaquería Traditional Dance, which takes place at Plaza Grande at 1:00 PM. Various other parks throughout Mérida often participate in the celebrations, including

• ​Parque Santa Lucía,

• Parque de Santiago,

• Parque de San Juan, and

• Parque de las Américas.

Especially the nearby ​Parque Santa Lucía is known for its live music performances and additional space for artisans and food vendors.

Explore Mérida by Bike – Join La Biciruta

Mérida en Domingo also compliments the well-known Sunday bike ride "La Biciruta".

Since 2006 every Sunday one lane of the main street, Paseo de Montejo, is closed for car traffic and "La Biciruta" - the bike ride in Mérida - takes place from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm.

It is most active around 11:00 am. The roads (5km in total) are blocked from La Ermita de Santa Isabel (Calle 77 at 64) to Plaza Grande, then north to the end of Paseo de Montejo just past the Monumento a la Patria.

The La Biciruta Mérida is an amazing opportunity to experience the city from a completely different perspective. It’s a vibrant and enjoyable way to explore Mérida while cycling through its beautiful streets.

What makes it even better is that you can easily combine it with a visit to the Mercado Domingo, which I did, and it was absolutely worth it.

I also created a Photo Blog of La Biciruta Mérida about my experience to capture and share the moments, so don’t miss this unique activity if you’re in Mérida. And one last tip: bring a small bike lock with you so you can securely park your bike when you stop to explore.