When traveling to a new location, many people focus on bucket list items. Salar de Uyuni, Oktoberfest, and Rainbow Mountain are classic examples of this. However, what is often just as exciting as visiting a local market in the new destination. Local markets give a glimpse into the way locals live and the things they purchase and consume, especially when it comes to food.
The aroma of spices, sounds of sellers and buyers haggling in the hectic environment while surrounded by fresh produce, wild animals, and shoe cobblers. It is always a special experience. When we arrived in Mérida, Mexico, this was one of our first stops. What can you get for $10 in Mercado Lucas de Gálvez? Let’s find out!
Who was Lucas de Galvez?
Lucas de Gálvez was from Spain and became the governor, mayor, and capital general of Yucatán in 1789. During his short tenure, an important dock in Campeche was rebuilt to improve trade, existing food markets in the state were expanded and modernized and sidewalks and roads were built and improved upon. He put the wheels in motion to create a hospital for lepers and a hospice for the poor and orphans in Mérida. In 1792, just a little over 3 years after he arrived in Yucatán, Lucas de Gálvez was assassinated, with the culprit being a mystery to this day.
Where is Mercado Lucas de Galvez?
Mercado Lucas de Gálvez is located on the corner of Calle 56 and Calle 65A in the old San Cristobal neighborhood. It is the main food market in Mérida. The market is open daily from 6 am – 3 pm. Pre-COVID, the market actually opened at 3 am. Due to the pandemic, the stalls that are deemed non-essential are closed on Saturdays and Sundays. All food-related stalls continue to operate 7 days a week.
What is for sale at the market?
You name it, you can probably find it here. And if not, there’s somebody who can tell you where you can buy it. Fresh fruits, vegetables, spices, cheeses, tortillas, breads, eggs, chickens, birds, car parts, hardware, shoes, shoe repair shops, and food stalls selling tacos, empanadas, soups, and tons of other delicious treats.
If you’re still looking for more, you can find clothing, hats, flowers, candies, sweets, soaps, household items, religious sculptures, toys, juices, and agua frescas. You get the picture. The way Americans go to Walmart for everything they need, locals in Latin America head to their local mercados.
What Can You Get for $10 in Mercado Lucas de Galvez?
We made a score and still had some cash leftover! Here’s what you can get for $10 at Mercado Lucas de Gálvez:
- Handmade Tortilla Chips (15 pesos)
- Bananas (15 pesos)
- Dinosaur egg sized Avocado (30 pesos)
- Tomatoes (10 pesos)
- Limes (5 pesos)
- Mangoes (15 pesos)
- 2 Tacos (30 pesos)
- 3 Churros (30 pesos)
- 2 Empanadas (24 pesos)
Grand Total: 174 pesos / $8.70 USD
Traveling to Mexico or Latin America? Check out our posts on:
- 5 Reasons Mérida, Mexico Is A Great Digital Nomad Destination
- The Best Tacos in Mérida
- What You Should Know Before Visiting the Tulum Ruins
- How to Visit the Yellow City of Izamal for $5
- An Unexpected Mayan Spiritual Experience in Uxmal
- How to Get from Mérida to Chichén Itzá
- Visiting the Mayan Ruins of Dzibilchaltún
READY TO SEE WHAT YOU CAN GET FOR $10 IN MERCADO LUCAS DE GALVEZ?
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