Two Markets: Merced And San Juan

Free walking tour of Mercado de la Merced and Mercado de San Juan

★ 4.71/5 38 reviews on GuruWalk

Free pay what you want

Run by an independent local guide on GuruWalk

Takes you to the guide's GuruWalk page, where a free place is reserved directly. Nothing is paid here, and the walk is free, pay what you want.

Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes
Language: German and English
Meeting point: 20 de Noviembre 25
Where it walks: Centro Histórico
Guide: Rubén
What it costs: Free, pay what you want

Overview

Rubén's free walking tour of the Mercado de la Merced and the Mercado de San Juan gives both markets their name in the tour title. The walk runs for 2.5 hours in the Centro Histórico, guided in German and English. Guiding is pay what you want: you tip the guide at the end, at whatever amount you decide.

Flower stalls with bundled blooms lining a covered market aisle

The meeting point is on Avenida 20 de Noviembre, on the street with Calle Venustiano Carranza, in front of the church. Rubén says he carries a white textile bag so walkers can spot him. From there the tour is organised around the Mercado de la Merced and the Mercado de San Juan.

This tour suits travellers who want the market side of the Centro Histórico rather than another pass through the plazas and museums. It is a walking tour, so it is best for people happy on their feet for the full duration. The walk is listed on GuruWalk. Food you buy at the markets is separate from the tip.

Itinerary

Stop	What Happens
Meet on 20 de Noviembre	Meet the guide on Avenida 20 de Noviembre, on the street with Calle Venustiano Carranza, in front of the church. He carries a white textile bag.
Mercado de la Merced	The Mercado de la Merced is one of the two markets named in the tour title.
Mercado de San Juan	The Mercado de San Juan is the other market on the tour. Anything you buy along the way is paid for separately from the tip.
Tour ends in the area	The tour finishes after the market visits, with the total running time at 2.5 hours as stated on GuruWalk.

What To Expect From The Tour

A market walk is practical rather than scenic, and a few things are worth knowing before you reserve a spot.

Wear walking shoes. The tour lasts 2.5 hours and is a walking tour, so comfortable shoes make the difference. The GuruWalk page gives no route details beyond the meeting point.
Budget for extras. Guiding is pay what you want, tipped to the guide at the end, and anything you buy at the markets is paid separately. Nothing about food or drink purchases is stated on the GuruWalk page beyond the pay-what-you-want guiding model.
Food is up to you. Both markets are named in the tour title, and what you eat or buy along the way is your own choice and paid on the spot. The GuruWalk page does not state that any food is included.

“Thoroughly enjoyed this tour as it covered part of the city that we would not have otherwise visited coupled with Ruben’s knowledge of the city making it very interesting. Got to explore one of the main markets in depth, its origin, evolution over time and the part it plays in people’s daily life. Would definitely recommend this tour”

Bindi, GuruWalk review of Two Markets: Merced And San Juan

Check the language. The tour runs in German and English, according to the GuruWalk listing. Spanish is not among the listed languages.
Finding the guide. The meeting point is in front of the church on Avenida 20 de Noviembre, on the street with Calle Venustiano Carranza. The guide carries a white textile bag, which is the identifying detail given on the GuruWalk page.

Common issues. The GuruWalk listing does not state group size, accessibility provisions or a cancellation policy, so those details need to be confirmed on GuruWalk before booking. No food, drink or market purchases are included, only the guiding, so budget for whatever you want to taste. Pickup is not part of this tour: everyone makes their own way to the meeting point.

Free Sights Near The Walks

Place	Free Or Ticketed	What Is Free	What You Still Pay For
Atrio de San Francisco (Museo Soumaya)	Free	Free admission, all visitors.	None. Every day 9:00 to 20:00.
Casa Guillermo Tovar de Teresa	Free	Free admission, all visitors.	None. Every day 10:30 to 18:30.
Biblioteca Vasconcelos	Free	Free. The Secretaria de Cultura page states that all services and activities organised by the library are free.	Nothing. There is no ticket to buy here.

Good To Know Before Booking

Is The Tour Really Free?

The guiding is free on a pay-what-you-want basis. You join the walk and tip the guide at the end at whatever amount you choose. There is no fixed price and no stated suggested tip.

Is Food Included?

No. Food and drink at the Mercado de la Merced and the Mercado de San Juan are bought separately by each walker. The tip covers the guiding only.

Where Does The Tour Meet?

On Avenida 20 de Noviembre, on the street with Calle Venustiano Carranza, in front of the church in the Centro Histórico. The guide carries a white textile bag. Hotel pickup is not included.

How Long Does The Tour Last?

The duration given on the GuruWalk listing is 2.5 hours. The tour covers both markets in that time, all on foot.

What Languages Does The Guide Speak?

German and English are the languages given on the GuruWalk page. Spanish is not listed among the tour's languages.

Can I Cancel If My Plans Change?

No cancellation policy is stated on the GuruWalk page. If your plans change, contact the guide through GuruWalk to ask about cancelling or rescheduling your place.