Mercado Tlacolula
Mercado Tlacolula
4.5
About
An outdoor marketplace with local vendors in the village of Tlacolula.
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listingTours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
Full view
Top ways to experience Mercado Tlacolula
The area
Best nearby
Restaurants
21 within 3 miles
Attractions
16 within 6 miles
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
117 reviews
Excellent
82
Very good
29
Average
5
Poor
1
Terrible
0
NoeReyes
Tucson, AZ75 contributions
Sep 2021
If you are visiting Oaxaca Centro and want to experience what an authentic sunday market is like in Mexico, then you should take the short trip to the town of Tlacolula. The market is full of local vendors and many who come from nearby towns. There is the food portion of the market where you can eat tacos, empanadas, birria, caldos, you name it. Here you can also try the traditional oaxacan beverage of tejate (cacao-based cold drink).
Written September 30, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
rhrjruk
Oakton, VA61 contributions
Feb 2023 • Couples
This is a huge Sunday street market, crammed full of sights, sounds, foods and wares. Fascinating for anyone who enjoys markets.
This is NOT some quaint little picturesque village event ; it’s the full-sized commercial weekly heart of a thriving Mexican town.
This is NOT some quaint little picturesque village event ; it’s the full-sized commercial weekly heart of a thriving Mexican town.
Written March 3, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TravelQueenie365
Singapore, Singapore666 contributions
May 2014 • Couples
- How to get there? Walk to the Second Class bus terminal in oaxaca city and turn right when you enter the building. Someone will be yelling 'Tlacolula' the whole time and you will not miss that yell. That will be the bus you have to catch to the mercado.It will take ages to get there because the bus driver wants to pick up as many passengers as possible while on the way in to Tlacolula. It is about 1h30mins and cost about 14 peso each ride. Ride is bumpy so make sure you choose a seat quickly otherwise you will be standing for awhile for a bumpy ride.
- How to come back? It will be the same station where they drop you off but this time you will have to queue up with the locals otherwise you will never grab a seat on your way back.
- This place is not touristy at all. You wont find a lot of overseas tourists which is super good!
- Bought a traditional mexican dress for 50 pesos, how cheap?!
- You can find live chickens, turkeys to antique stuff here. You can also find the ladies who make courgette flower quesadilla for 15 pesos.
- There are a lot of roast chicken stalls here which is good to catch a good lunch
- There are also bbq meat stalls but we did not try it, we went for the roast chicken meal instead. Reason being the bbq meat stalls seem a little unygiene so choose wisely. Also there is a man selling fresh coconut juice straight from the coconut for only 10-20pesos.
If you think my reviews have been helpful to you, please click 'Yes' for 'Was this review helpful?'
- How to come back? It will be the same station where they drop you off but this time you will have to queue up with the locals otherwise you will never grab a seat on your way back.
- This place is not touristy at all. You wont find a lot of overseas tourists which is super good!
- Bought a traditional mexican dress for 50 pesos, how cheap?!
- You can find live chickens, turkeys to antique stuff here. You can also find the ladies who make courgette flower quesadilla for 15 pesos.
- There are a lot of roast chicken stalls here which is good to catch a good lunch
- There are also bbq meat stalls but we did not try it, we went for the roast chicken meal instead. Reason being the bbq meat stalls seem a little unygiene so choose wisely. Also there is a man selling fresh coconut juice straight from the coconut for only 10-20pesos.
If you think my reviews have been helpful to you, please click 'Yes' for 'Was this review helpful?'
Written October 31, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JAB
1 contribution
Dec 2018 • Solo
Market is pretty cool but there is a group of girls going around cutting people's bags open. They forcefully bumped into me from behind like a normal pickpocket scam but I didn't think anything of it since my phone and wallet were in my front pockets. Then on my way out I realized I had a big hole in my bag where they cut it open and grabbed a pair of sunglasses. From the previous review this seems to be happening a lot. They are actually younger girls and on the heavier side if you go. Just check behind you as you're walking around. (I actually have a picture of them but feel weird posting it here...they had been casing me for a while as I walked around the market and ended up in a bunch of photos...lol)
Written December 17, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sandri
Los Angeles, CA558 contributions
Jun 2017 • Family
Amazing cultural experience. A must to do when you visit Oaxaca. Tlacolula De Matamoros Oaxaca has one of the oldest and biggest flee market in Oaxaca. When you visit make sure it's Sunday, for that is the day of the plaza (flee market) make sure you wear confortable shoes because you will be walking a lot! Arrive no later then noon so you have enough time to experience and see all there is to see. By 8am most have set up.
Locals as well as other surroundings town people's come to either sale or buy things at this flee market. This town has become the central town of traditional Oaxacan cultural. You will be able to find practicality anything your heart desires.
If you arrive by the bus terminal you will first encounter about five-seven blocks of small vendors lined up on the main road towards el centro. Once you reach the church pay your respects by visiting el santo patron de Tlacolula (towns saint) El Señor de Tlacolula. When you enter the church towards the middle and on your right hand side you will find El Señor De Tlacolula. Admire the beauty of the architecture this church has, its breath taking. When you exit the church go towards your left. You will step back in time when you enter El Mercado. Here you can buy traditional Oaxacan bread, meats, fruits, vegetables, traditional Oaxacan food, tlayudas etc... you can buy your meat and grill it on the spot to enjoy. Once you finish exploring the inside of this Mercado you can step outside: surrounding the Mercado and you will find a specific section where you can find live stock ( chickens, turkeys, ducks, rabbits, goats, sheep, horses, bulls, donkeys). Always ask for permission to take pictures, some natives take offense. Be respectful if they say no and you can always tip if they say yes. There is another section where they sale furniture. Wood tables, chairs, bed frames, jewelry boxes all hand made. Again, this is an amazing place to spend the whole day exploring. Bring extra cash to buy the things you want to get because this is the place to do so.
If you have time, I suggest you visit the towns cemetery. Take a calicheo (motor bike) for less then 20 pesos and tell the driver to take you to the cementerio (cemetery). You can have them wait for you or tell them to return to get you. Because it's Sunday there are always several calicheos around. Traditional Oaxacan culture, especially during holidays you will find entire families visiting those who have passed. The amazing structure and native trees are breathtaking!! Plus the sound of native birds and breeze are just remarkable. In addition, you will encounter another saint in the chapel that to many locals has provided them many miracles. La Virgen Del Rosario, amazing little chapel. Be very respectful when you visit the cemetery and church.
I have small kids and it's truly amazing to be able to show my kids what true culture and traditions looks like.
Locals as well as other surroundings town people's come to either sale or buy things at this flee market. This town has become the central town of traditional Oaxacan cultural. You will be able to find practicality anything your heart desires.
If you arrive by the bus terminal you will first encounter about five-seven blocks of small vendors lined up on the main road towards el centro. Once you reach the church pay your respects by visiting el santo patron de Tlacolula (towns saint) El Señor de Tlacolula. When you enter the church towards the middle and on your right hand side you will find El Señor De Tlacolula. Admire the beauty of the architecture this church has, its breath taking. When you exit the church go towards your left. You will step back in time when you enter El Mercado. Here you can buy traditional Oaxacan bread, meats, fruits, vegetables, traditional Oaxacan food, tlayudas etc... you can buy your meat and grill it on the spot to enjoy. Once you finish exploring the inside of this Mercado you can step outside: surrounding the Mercado and you will find a specific section where you can find live stock ( chickens, turkeys, ducks, rabbits, goats, sheep, horses, bulls, donkeys). Always ask for permission to take pictures, some natives take offense. Be respectful if they say no and you can always tip if they say yes. There is another section where they sale furniture. Wood tables, chairs, bed frames, jewelry boxes all hand made. Again, this is an amazing place to spend the whole day exploring. Bring extra cash to buy the things you want to get because this is the place to do so.
If you have time, I suggest you visit the towns cemetery. Take a calicheo (motor bike) for less then 20 pesos and tell the driver to take you to the cementerio (cemetery). You can have them wait for you or tell them to return to get you. Because it's Sunday there are always several calicheos around. Traditional Oaxacan culture, especially during holidays you will find entire families visiting those who have passed. The amazing structure and native trees are breathtaking!! Plus the sound of native birds and breeze are just remarkable. In addition, you will encounter another saint in the chapel that to many locals has provided them many miracles. La Virgen Del Rosario, amazing little chapel. Be very respectful when you visit the cemetery and church.
I have small kids and it's truly amazing to be able to show my kids what true culture and traditions looks like.
Written June 19, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Donna H
Kiama, Australia32 contributions
Nov 2018 • Couples
My husband and I caught a local bus from the Baseball stadium, fare cheap, about 45 mins depending on stops. It's fantastic, really big markets, locals come from everywhere. Lots to see, people are beautiful. We bought heaps of handmade wares, etc, food stalls to die for. You do need to walk around and check out prices, ask how much, walk away, ask another vendor, to see what things are worth. We didn't go overboard with bartering, stuff is so cheap, we chose the real deal locals.
We had the best day, however we had one bad experience. SO BEWARE!
I had a calico tote bag over my shoulder, had pretty much all necessities in it, two phones, purse, travel cards etc.
I felt someone push against me, then felt a hand on me, looked down and an old lady, about 80 had her hand in my bag. I yelled what are you doing? She ran & hid behind a larger girl about 35/40 years old, they were both Mexican.I pointed at her and shook my head and said NO!! I thought i won't cause trouble, I'm in another country and the police may not look kindly at me complaining. After checking I had all my stuff, I found someone had actually cut one whole side of my bad with a knife.I think the old lady got my attention, while her accomplice slit my bag.
I was very lucky i didn't chase her, or complain, it may have been a different ending.
You will have a good day, just keep your bags tightly against your chest.
We had the best day, however we had one bad experience. SO BEWARE!
I had a calico tote bag over my shoulder, had pretty much all necessities in it, two phones, purse, travel cards etc.
I felt someone push against me, then felt a hand on me, looked down and an old lady, about 80 had her hand in my bag. I yelled what are you doing? She ran & hid behind a larger girl about 35/40 years old, they were both Mexican.I pointed at her and shook my head and said NO!! I thought i won't cause trouble, I'm in another country and the police may not look kindly at me complaining. After checking I had all my stuff, I found someone had actually cut one whole side of my bad with a knife.I think the old lady got my attention, while her accomplice slit my bag.
I was very lucky i didn't chase her, or complain, it may have been a different ending.
You will have a good day, just keep your bags tightly against your chest.
Written December 11, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SDSteve
San Diego, CA408 contributions
Dec 2015 • Couples
The sights and sounds of the Mercado Tlacolula are a must-see event in Oaxaca. The market is every Sunday and is one of the best ways to see the colors, smells, sights and sounds of Oaxaca in one lively place. The market is about 45 minutes from the main colonial region of Oaxaca City. Although you can visit there by bus or other local transportation, we also chose to take advantage of a driver and guide recommended by our AirBNB hosts (Gregorio Escamilla, pepecuaches@gmail.com). Touring the market with a local made all the difference in the world for comfort, convenience, and ability to spend our valuable time enjoying the market versus spending our day figuring out the logistics of getting there. We were so appreciative of having Gregorio that we hired him throughout our trip to Oaxaca, and for easy airport transportation. The visit to the Sunday market can easily be combined with other nearby attractions, including Arbol de Tule (world's widest tree), the Zapoteca Ruins at Yagul, and the Petrified Waterfalls at Hierve el Agua. It would be virtually impossible to see all those attractions in one day using public transportation or infrequent taxis. There is a beautiful church in the market area at Tlacolula. Come hungry as there are lots of places to try local food and delicacies, including traditional items and specialties like Chapulines (grasshoppers). Photographic opportunities are abundant but be advised to be respectful by asking the locals for permission first (Gregorio was very helpful with translating and creating opportunities to better engage with the locals). There are numerous weekly and daily markets throughout Oaxaca but the Mercado Tlacolula is the best of them all. If you are in the area on a Sunday, don't miss it!
Written January 19, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Carol K
Saint Louis, MO22 contributions
Sep 2018
Tlacolula is a terrific busy, crowded and bustling market place every Sunday.... We hired Omar Rito, owner of Oaxaca Experience Tours to take us 6 there. Omar was so very helpful in keeping all of us happy by taking us to our individual places of interest and steering us into the different parts of the market.. We had him take us to many other places of interest and he is one of the few guides that does not take us to only those places that give him a kick back or commission. He does not accept pay backs or commissions of any kind because he is representing us, his customers. He was not cheap but he is very dependable, honest and considerate of us and worth the cost...
Written September 28, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TheTourist2010
Spokane, WA143 contributions
Jun 2014 • Couples
If you’ve never been to a open air market, The Tlacolula de Matamoros market is a good example how most of the rest of the world shops in the absence of Costco, Sam’s club and big supermarket grocery chains.
We have been to markets in the Thailand, Burma, Laos and Cambodia and they all look almost exactly like The Tlacolula market.
The only difference is the variety of strange and exotic fruits, vegetables, prepared foods, pastries and beverages. So even if you’ve been to an open air market in another part of the world you will be missing out if you think this is just like all the others.
Getting there:
At first We thought about just picking up a cheap collectivo (group taxi) at the baseball stadium in Oaxaca for the 20 minute drive to the town of Tlacolula. But we decided it would be more convenient to call a local taxi driver who speaks English rather than to take a taxi to the baseball stadium and then take a collectivo from there to Tlacolula.
Our taxi driver, Gregorio Escamilla (pepecuaches@gmail.com) lived in the US for two years and speaks good English. So we emailed him to come get us. And we are glad we did.
The taxi driver not only picked us up at our hotel and drove us straight to the market but he also accompanied us as we browed through the market and translated for us. He describe many of the strange Mexican food items being sold there. If he hadn’t come along we would have been left to guess what all the strange and wonderful looking food items were. We bought some exotic Rambutan fruits , Mangoes and and a couple bottles of Mezcal at the market.
One of the highlights: At the end of the open air market there’s the permanent market for baked good and meats. The locals will often buy their meats and vegetables from the vendors and, instead of taking them home, they will cook them right there on charcoal grills provided by each vendor….then they will wrap them in tortillas from a local vendor and eat them right there. The taxi driver helped us barter for the vegetables and meats we wanted to cook and in a few minutes we were eating our own fresh piping hot meal. He also introduced us to some rather strange but interesting Mexican delicacies that we wouldn’t have eaten had he not been there: deep fried crickets, a delicious chocolate and milk drink, a pastry with delicious chocolate filling and goat meat tortillas. The strangest thing we had was goat testicles. It wasn’t something I would have ordered on my own but our taxi driver bought some to share with us…and it wasn’t bad. At least now I can brag that I’ve had them.
After the visit to the Market, Gregorio also took us to the Petrified waterfalls (Hierve el Agua..which you can only get to by private car), an actual Mezcal processing “factory” (one of his friends) and the Tule tree Árbol del Tule…
The taxi driver charged us 1200 pesos (or under $100 dollars) for the entire 8 hour trip…including his guide and translation services…which we thought was a great deal for a wonderful day.
.
We have been to markets in the Thailand, Burma, Laos and Cambodia and they all look almost exactly like The Tlacolula market.
The only difference is the variety of strange and exotic fruits, vegetables, prepared foods, pastries and beverages. So even if you’ve been to an open air market in another part of the world you will be missing out if you think this is just like all the others.
Getting there:
At first We thought about just picking up a cheap collectivo (group taxi) at the baseball stadium in Oaxaca for the 20 minute drive to the town of Tlacolula. But we decided it would be more convenient to call a local taxi driver who speaks English rather than to take a taxi to the baseball stadium and then take a collectivo from there to Tlacolula.
Our taxi driver, Gregorio Escamilla (pepecuaches@gmail.com) lived in the US for two years and speaks good English. So we emailed him to come get us. And we are glad we did.
The taxi driver not only picked us up at our hotel and drove us straight to the market but he also accompanied us as we browed through the market and translated for us. He describe many of the strange Mexican food items being sold there. If he hadn’t come along we would have been left to guess what all the strange and wonderful looking food items were. We bought some exotic Rambutan fruits , Mangoes and and a couple bottles of Mezcal at the market.
One of the highlights: At the end of the open air market there’s the permanent market for baked good and meats. The locals will often buy their meats and vegetables from the vendors and, instead of taking them home, they will cook them right there on charcoal grills provided by each vendor….then they will wrap them in tortillas from a local vendor and eat them right there. The taxi driver helped us barter for the vegetables and meats we wanted to cook and in a few minutes we were eating our own fresh piping hot meal. He also introduced us to some rather strange but interesting Mexican delicacies that we wouldn’t have eaten had he not been there: deep fried crickets, a delicious chocolate and milk drink, a pastry with delicious chocolate filling and goat meat tortillas. The strangest thing we had was goat testicles. It wasn’t something I would have ordered on my own but our taxi driver bought some to share with us…and it wasn’t bad. At least now I can brag that I’ve had them.
After the visit to the Market, Gregorio also took us to the Petrified waterfalls (Hierve el Agua..which you can only get to by private car), an actual Mezcal processing “factory” (one of his friends) and the Tule tree Árbol del Tule…
The taxi driver charged us 1200 pesos (or under $100 dollars) for the entire 8 hour trip…including his guide and translation services…which we thought was a great deal for a wonderful day.
.
Written June 29, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bix M
San Miguel de Allende, Mexico24 contributions
Apr 2017 • Couples
Other reviewers have described the market effectively - it is indeed huge, colourful and very Mexican. Not the best choice if quality crafts are your object, but a good days entertainment. My contribution: having just recovered from a bout of Moctezuma's Revenge gained in the San Cristobal market food stalls, I was a bit cautious here. Luckily, about 200 metres into the market stalls from the bus terminal, look through the web of stalls on your left for "Restaurant del Chef". It offers a quiet retreat from the market chaos in an interior courtyard with shade and a very acceptable inexpensive menu of the usual local offerings. Recharge your batteries and head back to the churning throng with new energy!
Written April 30, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hello,
Does anyone have a current reliable drivers/tours info (e-mail or number) they could recommend to take us to Mercado Tlacolula and other attractions around it for the day from Oaxaca City?
Written November 20, 2019
Hola, alguien ha visitado el mercado jueves, viernes , sábado o algún otro día que no sea domingo de tianguis? Valdrá la pena visitarlo aunque no sea domingo de tianguis?
Written September 6, 2019
Sí vale la pena pero no tiene la variedad de productos ni la ventana Brandeburgo actividad de los domingos.
No hay que olvidar que los domingos se acercan artesanos y productores de otras poblaciones cercanas, que es lo que lo hace tan especial.
Written September 7, 2019
Do you have a link to the tour you took? I can't seem to find it and would love a guide to show me around the Tlacolula market. Thanks!
Written November 14, 2018
we just booked a taxi driver. There were 5 of us and he charged 250 pesos and hour with a minimum of 4 hours. We went from Oaxaca to the market and to Tula and still were back in the 4 hours.
Written November 14, 2018
We are visiting Oaxaca on weekdays, is the market still worth a see?
Written January 22, 2018
Si rentas vehículo puedes armar un gran tour pasando primero por el árbol del tule y desayunar unas empanadas de amarillo o refrescarte con una nieve; sigue a las ruinas de Yagul y adelante queda Tlacolula pero el mercado es el domingo solamente; y más adelante te queda la capital del mezcal "Santiago Matatlán", las cascadas petrificadas de hierve el agua y las ruinas de mitla, empezar el día temprano y lo aprovechas al máximo!... en caso de no tener carro en el centro hay muchas agencias de turismo para llevarte. Tomar un taxi sería excesivamente caro, no lo recomiendo ni los autobuses de paso.
Written June 14, 2017
Public transportation is easy and cheap! Go to the second class bus station near Abastos. I've taken the bus (check with the station chief and read the destinations across the bus windshields). Take change for the bus = seems to me it was 10-15 pesos when I went last. You can also get a collectivo just outside the bus station - maroon and white taxis - which also note their destinations across the windshields or the back window. Don't be alarmed - collectivos stop en route and pick-up and discharge passengers. Sit in the back seat, if you can, so you won't have to sit on the gear shift if a fifth passenger shows up. Return to Oaxaca with readily available collectivos in Tlacolula or through the same bus station where you arrived. People are very nice on the bus, but few speak English. Sweet adventure!
Written June 15, 2017
We plan to travel to Oaxaca in New Year. Will the market be open on Jan 1st 2017? it's Sunday...
Written September 3, 2016
Do you have a listing of travel guides that I can reference? I am interested in guide for 4 or 5 days for 2 people. Also I need to know prices.
Gracias
Written February 24, 2015
Lonely Planet is always tops in my opinion. Rough Guides also gives good recommendations.
Written March 28, 2015
Showing results 1-8 of 8
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing