• HOME
  • ABOUT
  • WORK
  • CONTACT
  • COURSE
  • DESTINATIONS
  • Nav Social Icons

  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • HOME
  • ABOUT
  • WORK
  • CONTACT
  • COURSE
  • DESTINATIONS
  • Mobile Menu Widgets

    Connect

    Search

Bucketlist Bri

Bucketlist Bri

Adventurous Slomad Travel

  • Start Here
  • Destinations
  • Digital Nomad
  • Responsible Travel
  • Slow Travel
  • Van Life

An Insider’s Guide to Oaxaca City’s Best Markets

Last Updated: January 20, 2023 · Oaxaca

If you’ve ever traveled to Mexico before, then you know just how socially and economically important the local markets are. Every major city down to the smallest coastal fishing village has its own market(s) — Oaxaca is no different.

In fact, Oaxaca City is teeming with markets — food markets, artisanal markets, design markets, and more! There is a market for every tastebud, style, and budget.

It really is a market-lovers paradise in Oaxaca. You can find anything from authentic mezcal and chili-encrusted crickets to fair trade clothing and beyond.

So where are these markets in Oaxaca and when can you visit them? Read more below to get an insider’s look into Oaxaca’s best markets.

Table of Contents show
The 7 Best Markets in Oaxaca City
Mercado de Abastos
Atemporal Mercado de Diseño
La Cosecha Mercado Organico
Mercado 20 de Noviembre
Mercado de Artesanías de Oaxaca
Mercado Benito Juárez
Tlacolula Sunday Market

The 7 Best Markets in Oaxaca City

Mercado de Abastos

Mercado Abastos de Oaxaca | Copyright 2020 Antonio C. via Google Maps/Google Earth

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links that may earn me a small commission should you decide to click through and make a valid purchase (at no extra cost to you). Thanks so much for your support!

The Central de Abastos is one of the largest markets in the country, spanning over 800 acres.

✨ Did you know? The largest indoor market in Latin America is in Guadalajara, Mexico.

The Abastos Market is so popular that it attracted Netflix, who teamed up with Phil Rosenthal to feature Oaxaca City’s unmissable food locations in the series Somebody Feed Phil.

In that episode, Phil visited Doña Vale, a local woman who makes delicious memelas.

Phil eats his way through Oaxaca in this Netflix episode! Have you watched it?

Abastos is the market in Oaxaca that combines it all — food, clothes, trinkets, vegetables, meats, cheeses, shoes, toys, souvenirs, and other imported and local goods for cheap.

Travel Tip: Mercado de Abastos can be overwhelming for first-timers to Mexico. If you haven’t been inside such a sprawling and somewhat hectic market before, you may want to discover the smaller markets in Oaxaca (i.e. 20 de Noviembre, Benito Juárez, etc) to wet your feet first.

✨ Want to do a private cooking class and market tour? If so, you can book this experience which includes shopping for fresh ingredients at Abastos Market and then cooking it alongside your expert guide and local chef, Minerva. ✨

Atemporal Mercado de Diseño

Atemporal design market in covered outdoor courtyard
Inside the Atemporal market

If you love good vibes, all things design, trendy fashion, local music, and artisanal jewelry, then you’ll fall head over heels for the Atemporal design market hidden in Oaxaca’s city center.

It took me weeks of living in Oaxaca to finally stumble past this adorable market.

But Atemporal is more than just a market for selling goods. There is a very large artsy community to discover here that speaks to Oaxaca’s soul. It is, as you say… très Oaxaqueño.

“Atemporal no solo es un mercado, es una feria que integra la cultura, la música y los foros de expresión.”

Atemporal
Artisanal ice cream with mezcal, lime, and blackberry.
Jewelry stands and fashion inside the Atemporal mercado in Oaxaca City

As Atemporal puts it, “Atemporal isn’t just a market, it’s an independent fair that integrates culture, music, and forms of expression.”

The market was founded by Carlos Cabrera and Yadira Castañeda in 2020 and has grown to include a wide variety of local and international artists, designers, and creatives.

You can learn more and get a glimpse at their upcoming projects on their Instagram.

La Cosecha Mercado Organico

Mercado Organico La Cosecha

La Cosecha is a semi-covered outdoor market featuring fresh, organic vegetables, fruits, delicious street-style food, and artisanal products.

A highlight of La Cosecha is the food stalls with large picnic tables — the perfect place to grab breakfast, lunch, a refreshing Oaxacan tejate drink, homemade dessert, or pick-me-up organic juice or coffee.

Zucchini flower and quesillo tacos at La Cosecha market in Oaxaca

Stepping inside La Cosecha will make you forget you are in the heart of Oaxaca’s bustling and historic center.

If you join one of Oaxaca’s “free” city walking tours, you’ll get to discover La Cosecha’s outdoor organic market as it is one of the stops during the 2–3 hour jaunt around Oaxaca Centro.

Of course, you can (and should) visit La Cosecha on your own, too, so you can experience this little quaint courtyard without a crowd.

Mercado 20 de Noviembre

Inside the Noviembre 23 Mercado de Oaxaca
The food hall inside Mercado 20 Noviembre

The November 20 Market in Oaxaca is another must-visit for foodies. Despite international press covering this market — famed for its Pasillo de Humo or “Hall of Smoke” where you can chow down on grilled meats — it still remains very local and authentically Oaxacan.

Just beware — walking through the dubbed “Hall of Meats” is hectic, smoky, and loud. We strolled down the aisle of smog to experience the chaos in person, but we didn’t linger for a moment longer than necessary.

Those sensitive to smoke or to raw meat should avoid this when visiting the market.

For meat lovers, however, this place is an unmissable market to visit in Oaxaca.

The Hall of Smoke/meat inside Noviembre 20 market in Oaxaca
The famous smoky, meaty corridor

Fortunately, the meal hall isn’t all there is to do and see (or taste) at the 20 de Noviembre market.

Inside is a quieter and cleaner food court area where you can order classic Oaxacan food from a menu. We had an awesome meal (not to mention michelada) at La Abuelita.

✨ Book a street food tour of Noviembre 23 Market led by locals on Viator ✨

Tlayuda and michelada - Oaxacan food and drink at market in Oaxaca
Oaxacan tlayuda with chicken, extra plate of Oaxacan cheese, and michelada drink

Mercado de Artesanías de Oaxaca

The Mercado de Artesanías is another unmissable market in Oaxaca!

Unlike most of the other markets across the city, this one doesn’t feature food.

Instead, it showcases and sells fair trade textiles, embroidered blouses, art, black pottery, alebrijes (painted wooden animals), and other handicrafts made by local and indigenous artisans in Oaxaca.

What’s great about visiting this market is that your purchase directly supports these artisans (which can be hard to decipher when shopping or bartering at pop-up vendors or salesmen).

If you’d like more suggestions on ethical fashion and textile shopping in Oaxaca, you can read this article by Ecocult.

Tip: To better understand Oaxacan textiles and indigenous handicrafts when you shop, you should first visit the Museo de Textil de Oaxaca (free guided tours available). Also, being able to speak a bit of Spanish at this market or others in Oaxaca will help you responsibly barter while sparking a connection with the locals.

Mercado Benito Juárez

Benito Juárez Market in Oaxaca

The Mercado Benito Juárez, named after Mexico’s Zapotec indigenous president Benito Juárez (1858-1872), is one of the popular local markets in Oaxaca for buying local and international products, street snacks (like fried grasshoppers — chapulines), and fresh produce.

I found this market to be a crazy maze. I’m pretty sure we turned around on ourselves several times before finding an exit!

The Benito Juárez Market is like the Abastos Market — there’s a bit of everything here — but bite-size (in comparison).

Seeing as it’s just across the street from the November 20 Market, you can visit both in the same go!

Tlacolula Sunday Market

Crowded street for Tlacolula Sunday Market in Oaxaca
Tlacolula Sunday Market near Oaxaca City

This final market in Oaxaca isn’t exactly in the city. But, it’s one of the top markets to visit in the state of Oaxaca, so that counts!

In any case, getting to Tlacolula from Oaxaca City is fairly simple (and cheap).

Just head to the baseball stadium in Oaxaca and hop on a local bus ($10 MXN pesos) and get off about 45 minutes later in Tlacolula (the bus will stop in front of the gas station).

The Tlacolula Sunday Market (also called the tianguis de Tlacolula) stretches the entire length of Juárez street and is just abuzz with activity.

You will find literally everything here, including all types of Oaxacan food, drinks, and artisanal goods (even animals). It’s a very popular thing to do near Oaxaca City.

Your senses will be invigorated, that’s for sure!

This is also where the Fería de la Nieve y el Mezcal (ice cream and mezcal) takes place each year in April (you should go — it’s amazing).

More food & cultural tours in Oaxaca:

🍴 Private 3.5 Hour Cooking Class with Chef Oscar

✨ Sabores de Oaxaca Street Food Tour (Badge of Excellence)

🥃 Mezcal & Mole with a Certified Sommelier

I hope you enjoy discovering the treasures that lie within these local markets in Oaxaca!

If you have any questions or suggestions, please drop them in the comments below. I would love to hear about your market adventures in Oaxaca!

ENJOYED THIS POST? PIN IT!

Gallery images of markets in Oaxaca, Mexico with text overlay.

By: Bri · In: Oaxaca

you’ll also love

Is Oaxaca Safe? Plus, 10 Safety Tips for Tourists
Woman posing in front of the Tree of Tule in MexicoTree of Tule in Oaxaca, Mexico: How to Visit the Widest Tree in the World
Tejate drink of cacao and corn served in a red jicara (gourd) bowlWhere to Drink Tejate in Oaxaca — The Must-Try “Drink of the Gods”

Join the List

Stay up to date with the latest adventures and travel guides.

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Next Post >

Where to Drink Tejate in Oaxaca — The Must-Try “Drink of the Gods”

Primary Sidebar

hello!

I’m Bri, an adventurous digital nomad living abroad full-time since 2015. It is my hope to inspire you to live a life of adventure, seek out meaningful experiences, and travel slowly and mindfully!

About Me

Connect

join the list

Featured Posts

Aerial view of squares and hotel buildings in Lyon, France.

Top 10 Boutique Hotels in Lyon, France

woman holding beer at highland brewing company in asheville north carolina

21 Best Craft Breweries in Asheville, NC

An Indian Wedding Fairytale | Bits of Bri

An Indian Wedding Fairytale in Kolkata, India

QUICK LINKS

  • HOME
  • ABOUT
  • WORK
  • CONTACT
  • COURSE
  • DESTINATIONS

Search

Let’s Connect!

@bucketlistbri

Tips from a long-time nomad ⬇️✨ 💻 WORKIN Tips from a long-time nomad ⬇️✨

💻 WORKING ONLINE
While not all nomads/remote workers have online-specific jobs, it’s the easiest way to sustain an income for full-time or long-term travel. Here are some jobs you can do as a digital nomad!

• Blogging (This is what I do full-time!)
• Content Creation / Brand Sponsorship
• Virtual Assisting
• Social Media Management
• YouTube or Podcasting
• Graphic / Web Design
• Coding / Development
• Photography / Videography
• Freelance Writing (How I started)
• Marketing / Amazon FBA / Ecommerce

📍PICKING YOUR DIGITAL NOMAD DESTINATION
There are many countries out there offering digital nomad visas, but you don’t even need one to just travel as a tourist and stay in-country for 30, 60, 90, or 180 days. Nomads go everywhere as long as there’s a Wi-Fi connection, some countries you may consider are Portugal, Mexico, Costa Rica, Thailand, Vietnam, Croatia, Canada, Colombia, Indonesia, Brazil, and beyond! Even lesser-known places such as Namibia are starting to offer nomad visas to entice long-term travelers to visit.

🏡 FINDING HOUSING ABROAD
Read my blog post for the full guide on this, but basically, check local Facebook groups for renting local housing for extended stays and then use Airbnbs for shorter stays or to negotiate longer contracts with the owner. There are even more “nomad rental websites” these days to make finding accommodation even easier. Don’t overlook co-living/working spaces too like Selina where the digital nomad community tends to congregate.

💛 EXPLORING LOCALLY/RESPONSIBLY
As always, be mindful and respectful when you visit these communities. Many small towns are struggling with rapid growth and overdevelopment so be mindful of your choices of where you stay, how you spend your money, and who you support.

My best advice + detailed guides are all on the blog, free for you to use! Let me know if you have any questions about digital nomad life! 

Lastly, don’t overthink it. Moving countries isn’t as intimidating as you may think! It’s become second nature for us now after several years! 🐈‍⬛💃🌎✨
I’ve had the wonderful opportunity to discover t I’ve had the wonderful opportunity to discover this incredible country beyond the resorts and beaches, having lived temporarily in 5 out of the 32 Mexican states (Nayarit, Quintana Roo, Chiapas, Oaxaca, and now Baja California Sur) as a digital nomad who’s been slow traveling/living in and out of Mexico since 2018. 

There is so, so much cultural and natural beauty in Mexico — I wish more people could experience this country for themselves and not through the eyes of the media.

***Please visit Mexico as a digital nomad (or tourist in general) responsibly and mindfully. Stay local, eat local, drink local, shop local, support local. Leave No Trace and be conscious of your choices and impact!*** 

Here are the cities/towns we’ve slow traveled/lived in for extended stays.

• Oaxaca City — a colorful, historic open museum rich in indigenous culture and gastronomy 
• San Cristóbal de las Casas — an endearing pueblo mágico in the Chiapas Highlands
• La Paz — the capital city of BCS teeming with marine life, diving, fish tacos, and desert vibes
• San Pancho — an eco-conscious town in Nayarit famous for its sunsets and community
• Tulum — no introduction needed (and I wouldn’t go back here as a nomad due to overdevelopment)

Other great cities/towns/destinations for digital nomads are:

• Guadalajara (state of Jalisco)
• Santiago de Querétaro (state of Querétaro)
• San Miguel de Allende or Guanajuato City (state of Guanajuato)
• Playa del Carmen (state of Quintana Roo)
• Valladolid or Mérida (state of Yucatán)
• México City/CDMX (state of México)
• Sayulita (state of Nayarit)
• Puerto Vallarta (state of Jalisco)
• Puerto Escondido (state of Oaxaca)

I’d love to know what you think about Mexico and where you’ve been in the comments! 🇲🇽💛

And for the detailed guide of 13 places to live/visit, read my blog @bucketlistbri .com (just type in “places to live mexico” in the quick search bar if you can’t find the post under my “Mexico” category).

#mexicomagico #digitalnomad #visitmexico #livingabroad #fulltimetravel #mexicotravel #mexicodestinations #nomadadigital #nomada #mexicomaravilloso #slowtravelling #mindfultravel
PSA: Your anxiety, problems or (bad) habits will f PSA: Your anxiety, problems or (bad) habits will follow you around the world until you face them no matter how much you travel or move countries 🙃 

I know I’m not the only one that feels restless at times and idolizes moving to a new region/country/continent to shake my feelings of anxiety or self-doubt or fear! (Also, I tend to think about moving to another country even when I just moved to a new one 😅)

I know because I have lived abroad for 8+ years. I used to try to drown out my icky feelings and past traumas with lots of alcohol but now I carry them with me like I do my mismatched socks — they add to the quirkiness and remind me I don’t have to be, and am not, perfect. 

And that life is more interesting that way, anyway. 

Anddd that most importantly, whenever I get lost, I can and will be found again — I just may look and think differently after new adventures but I am still loved and never lost forever 🧦 ✨💛 

In sum, whether you travel full-time or not, take care of yourself ✨💛

#nomadness #nomadlife #lifeofadventure #livingabroad #fulltimetravel #offbeattravel #remoteworklife #homeawayfromhome #slowtravelstories #mentalhealthawarness
The 4 core ingredients to a recharged Bri: 💛 P The 4 core ingredients to a recharged Bri:

💛 Paul
😻 Yoda
🌍 Traveling & adventuring
👩🏼‍💻 Blogging & writing

Among other things like nature, photography, reading, animals, journaling, art, playing Zelda/games, dancing/music, culture/languages, enjoying rly good food and drinks! 😋 

What about you? What recharges you?? 

#rechargemysoul #blogging #adventures #writing #soulfulliving #mindfulliving #mindfultravel #nomadcouple #creativeliving
1 WEEK COSTA RICA ITINERARY👇🦋✨ 🌋 ARENA 1 WEEK COSTA RICA ITINERARY👇🦋✨

🌋 ARENAL // LA FORTUNA (2 days)
- Hike in the Arenal Volcano National Park
- Indulge in a local chocolate/coffee tour (s/o to @northfieldscafe)
- Go on a wildlife safari float (s/o to Raúl for pura vida vibes!)
- Lounge in natural hot springs (highly recommend the budget-friendly Relax Termalitas in Fortuna)
- Visit La Fortuna waterfall
- Check out the Butterfly Conservatory

🦥 QUEPOS // MANUEL ANTONIO (2-3 days)
- Take a guided or DIY tour of Manuel Antonio National Park
- Chill out on the Espadilla beach
- Explore the cute towns
- Watch for wildlife in the trees!

🌿 MONTEVERDE // SANTA ELENA (2 days)
- Visit/hike in the Monteverde Cloud Forest
- Go ziplining
- Birdwatching on a canopy tour
- Monteverde coffee tour
- Do a nature night walk

My sister and I surprised our mom with this bucket list trip on her birthday, and we had a blast! 🥹

Send this itinerary to someone you know who has always wanted to go to Costa Rica 🦋💛✨🌿🦜🐒

#costarica #bucketlisttrip #puravida #costaricaitinerary #lafortuna #manuelantonio #monteverde #ecotourism
Swimming with the biggest fish in the world is a q Swimming with the biggest fish in the world is a quite a humbling experience, and one that’s been at the top of my bucket list for ages! 🥺

Right now is prime whale shark season in La Paz in Baja California Sur, Mexico, so Paul and I made sure to go before we jetted off to see family for the holidays! I’m still in awe of these gentle giants and the fact that we got to swim alongside them!

Read all about the best whale shake tours in La Paz + ethical whale shark tourism in my latest blog post! Link in bio 💛

Send this to a friend who loves whale sharks! 🐳🦈

#whalesharks #lapaz #bajacaliforniasur #ethicaltravel #responsibletravel #ecotourism #golapaz #mexicotravel #bucketlist #seaofcortez
Follow My Adventures

Footer

On the Blog

  • Start Here
  • Destinations
  • Digital Nomad
  • Responsible Travel
  • Slow Travel
  • Van Life

Info

  • Work With Me
  • Blog Course
  • Shop
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy

adventures await x

Copyright © 2023 · Bucketlist Bri | All Rights Reserved

11 shares