All about Mercado San Sebastián in Mérida, Mexico

Mercado San Sebastián is a food market, packed with inexpensive eateries. The San Sebastián market, together with the church Parroquia de San Sebastián and the small Parque de San Sebastián, forms the center of the San Sebastián district.

If you're in the area, you can stop by, otherwise - to be honest - it's not necessarily worth traveling a little further out of the center just for the market. Unfortunately, the market has become less and less important in recent years, it is a little shabby and no longer really recommendable. The market is almost exclusively used by locals.

Regardless of the market, the San Sebastián neighborhood (one of Mérida's oldest and most traditional districts) and the impressive and fairly large Parroquia de San Sebastián are truly beautiful and well worth a visit.

Food at the market

As with most markets, you can also eat typical Yucatecan food at the Mercado San Sebastián. There are a number of food stalls with plastic tables and chairs, all in a very simple setting.

Tacos, for example, are a classic throughout Mexico and are available in many different variations, which are also ideal for a snack between meals.

A well-known and typical dish is also huevos motuleños – a breakfast dish named after the nearby town of Motul, consisting of eggs on tortillas with black beans and cheese.

Trying those traditional Mexican dishes in the city markets is a rather authentic experience. If you know some Spanish, this is also a good opportunity to get in touch with people.

The neighborhood

As previously noted, the San Sebastián neighborhood (Barrio de San Sebastián) stands as one of Mérida's oldest and most traditional districts. Its roots trace back to an ancient Mayan village situated southwest of Mérida, which later adopted the name San Sebastián during the colonial era.

Legend has it that Montejo's troops may have traversed through this area on their journey to T'ho. Within the neighborhood lies the small Parque de San Sebastián and the more impressive Parroquia de San Sebastián. The church is dating back to the 17th century.

Originally called the Ermita de Nuestra Señora del Buen Viaje, its location near the royal road to Campeche likely inspired its original name. Every August, the Patron Saint is celebrated with annual pilgrimages and regional parades.

The neighborhood stands out for its vividly colored houses. It is also celebrated for its culinary heritage, being the birthplace of Panuchos and home to the Festival del Pib, which showcases a traditional Yucatecan dish closely tied to Hanal Pixan (Day of the Dead).

By the way, the festivals in Mérida, such as Hanal Pixan, are a great opportunity to immerse yourself in the culture. Make sure to check out what's happening during your visit, as the city often hosts a variety of vibrant events.

Image Source (parroquia): ©Misael Lavadores, wiki commons, CC BY-SA 3.0, Link

The picture was modified (resized, image improvements)