Food and Shopping in Mexico
Food and shopping in Mexico offer more than just meals and souvenirs. They provide a direct connection to local life, shaped by geography, community, and long-standing tradition.
Markets open early in towns and cities across the country, filled with fresh produce, street snacks, and handmade goods. Many stalls are run by the same families for generations, serving familiar customers and passing down recipes and skills. Homemade tortillas are pressed and cooked fresh, while the smell of grilled meat, roasting chiles, and sweet breads fills the air. Meals vary depending on where you are and often reflect local ingredients and customs.
Corn, beans, chiles, fresh herbs, and seasonal vegetables form the foundation of countless dishes. Tacos, tamales, and mole appear in many regions, though the way they’re made can differ widely. Street food is common, and markets, family-run kitchens, and restaurants serve a full range of regional cooking. Mexican cuisine is recognised by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity for the way it connects families and communities through food.
Shopping also offers insight into the culture. In Oaxaca, San Cristóbal de las Casas, and San Miguel de Allende, visitors find pottery, woven textiles, silver jewellery, and woodcarvings, often sold by the makers themselves. Each region has its own materials and styles. While many shops accept cards, cash is still preferred in markets and small towns.
Food and shopping in Mexico reflect its diverse identity and offer an authentic look into local life.
Recommended Tours in Mexico
Opening hours in Mexico
Shops in Mexico typically open around 10:00 a.m. and close between 6:00 and 8:00 p.m. Convenience stores often open earlier and stay open late, with some operating 24 hours. Local markets tend to open early in the morning. Many shops close on Sundays or operate shorter hours, especially in smaller towns and rural areas.
Dining Hours in Mexico
Lunch is the main meal of the day and is often served between 2:00 and 4:00 p.m. Dinner tends to be lighter and is typically eaten around 8:00 or later. In tourist areas and cities, restaurants may open earlier to accommodate visitors, but local dining times remain common.
Making Payment in Mexico
Most shops, hotels, and restaurants accept credit cards, especially in cities and tourist areas. U.S. dollars are accepted in many places, though pesos are preferred for everyday purchases. Smaller markets and local businesses often deal in cash, so it’s useful to carry small bills and coins, particularly when visiting rural areas or shopping at stalls.
Tax free shopping in Mexico
Visitors who spend over a set amount on eligible goods can request a VAT refund when leaving Mexico. The process requires original receipts and a completed form, usually submitted at the airport. Not all stores participate, so it’s best to ask before buying. Your guide can help explain the steps involved.
What to buy in Mexico
Many of the best things to buy in Mexico are made by hand. In Oaxaca, you’ll find black clay (barro negro) pottery with a smooth matte finish and woven rugs colored with natural dyes. These items often come from nearby villages where families have been working with the same materials for generations.
In Zinacantán and San Juan Chamula, textiles are woven on traditional looms and embroidered with floral and geometric patterns. Each piece reflects local customs and is often sold directly by the women who created it.
San Cristóbal de las Casas is a good place to find amber jewelry, leatherwork, and embroidered clothing. Markets are filled with pieces shaped by local techniques and styles. In Coyoacán, hand-painted tiles, wooden toys, and papel picado are common, made by families who have lived in the area for decades.
In San Miguel de Allende and Guanajuato, traditional skills are used in silver jewelry, blown glass, and pottery. Chignahuapan is known for its painted ornaments, especially around Christmas.
Shopping in these places offers more than a souvenir. It gives a chance to connect with local people and understand the time and care behind what they make. Your guide will help you along the way.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is tipping expected in restaurants in Mexico?
Yes, tipping is a normal part of dining out in Mexico. In restaurants, it’s typical to leave between 10 and 15 percent of the bill, depending on the service. Some upscale places might already include a service charge, so it’s worth checking the receipt. For casual meals or street food, it’s enough to round up or leave a few extra pesos as a thank you.
What types of food can I expect to find across Mexico?
Mexican food is incredibly diverse, with each region bringing its own flavours and traditions to the table. You'll find tacos, tamales, and mole in many places, but the way they’re made can be completely different depending on where you are. Seafood is popular along the coasts, while grilled meats and hearty stews are more common inland. Fresh herbs, seasonal produce, beans, chiles, and corn form the base of many meals.
Is street food safe to eat in Mexico?
Street food is an everyday part of life in Mexico and offers some of the most flavourful and memorable bites. To stay safe, go where the locals go. Look for stalls that are busy, with food being cooked fresh in front of you. A high turnover usually means good quality and freshness. If something smells great and the stand is clean and active, it's probably a good choice.
Are markets worth visiting even if I’m not shopping for food?
Markets are about much more than groceries. They’re places where people meet, catch up and go about their day. Even if you’re not there to buy food, you’ll find handmade crafts, colourful textiles, pottery, flowers, and traditional snacks. It's a lively way to get a real sense of the local culture and how people live.
Can I take food products home from Mexico?
Some food items make great souvenirs, like locally made chocolate, dried chiles, coffee or vanilla. These are usually fine to bring back as long as they’re sealed and not fresh. It’s always best to check what’s allowed through customs in your home country before packing anything, just to avoid any issues when you arrive.
Our local expert in Mexico
Your Food and Shopping Journey in Mexico
When you choose one of our luxury private tours in Mexico, your local guide brings each experience to life. They know the best spots to eat, where to shop for quality local goods and how to make every stop feel personal. It’s not just about seeing the sights, it’s about experiencing the real Mexico through the people, places and stories that make it unique.