
Journey Through La Merced
Traveler rating
4.9/5
Based on 389 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Journey Through La Merced worth booking?
Journey Through La Merced is a 3-hour experience in Mexico City, Mexico, from $131 per person. It scores 80 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 4.9/5 rating across 389 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 80 / 100
- Rating
- 4.9/5 (389)
- Duration
- 3 hours
- From
- $131 per person
The colorful, chaotic Merced Market serves thousands of shoppers daily. On this tour, you’ll visit our favorite food stalls, meet some talented market vendors, and learn the market’s history. You’ll finish knowing why La Merced is unlike anywhere else in Mexico. We’ll wind through the market’s lively banquetón, or prepared food area, tasting tacos, aguas frescas and tamales. After that, we’ll stroll through the gigantic fruits and vegetables building, and learn about—and taste!—prehispanic ingredients, such as grasshoppers and agave worms. After a quick stop to rest, we’ll leave the market and walk back to La Merced neighborhood where we’ll finish up the tour with a refreshing drink and a snack in a beautiful restaurant, a hidden gem you won’t want to miss! This tour is good for seasoned travelers.
What you get
About this experience
The colorful, chaotic Merced Market serves thousands of shoppers daily. On this tour, you’ll visit our favorite food stalls, meet some talented market vendors, and learn the market’s history. You’ll finish knowing why La Merced is unlike anywhere else in Mexico. We’ll wind through the market’s lively banquetón, or prepared food area, tasting tacos, aguas frescas and tamales. After that, we’ll stroll through the gigantic fruits and vegetables building, and learn about—and taste!—prehispanic ingredients, such as grasshoppers and agave worms. After a quick stop to rest, we’ll leave the market and walk back to La Merced neighborhood where we’ll finish up the tour with a refreshing drink and a snack in a beautiful restaurant, a hidden gem you won’t want to miss! This tour is good for seasoned travelers.
What's included
Included
- One coffee, beer or another non-alcoholic beverage
- Traditional Mexican candy
- One agua fresca
- As much food as you can eat (enough for a large breakfast and lunch combined)
Not included
- Transport to/from the meeting and end points of the tour
- Souvenirs
- Tip for your guide
- Additional personal beverages, outside what’s included on the tour itinerary
What you'll see and do
La Merced
The colorful, chaotic Merced Market serves thousands of shoppers daily. On this tour, you’ll visit our favorite food stalls, meet some talented market vendors, and learn the market’s history. You’ll finish knowing why La Merced is unlike anywhere else in Mexico.
180 minutes here · Admission included
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Mexico City
In front of El Nuevo Café Bagdad in the Historic Center. It is important to be aware there is a "Café Bagdad" in Roma Norte, this is NOT the right location. You can write "El Nuevo Café Bagdad" into your Uber app, and it will take you to the correct place.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
We’ll finish at a beautiful restaurant in a restored mansion, where you’ll relax with a cold drink and a snack with your guide.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en, es
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 4 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Eat Mexico Culinary Tours
Know before you go
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 387 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Food and drink
10 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
9 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
The guide
7 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Traveler reviews
387 verified traveler reviews for Journey Through La Merced. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Highly recommend
We had such a wonderful time exploring La Merced with Adrien! He was incredibly knowledgeable about the food, culture, and history of the market, and his passion really came through throughout the tour. We loved all of the tastings and got to try so many things we never would have discovered on our own. Adrien made us feel comfortable and welcomed while giving us a genuine glimpse into local life and Mexican culture. We would absolutely recommend him to anyone visiting Mexico City who wants a fun, authentic, and memorable experience at La Merced
via Tripadvisor
Great food, authentic experience with the sweetest guide !
I absolutely LOVED our tour through Merced. The market itself is just this huge hub of activity and community and delicious food. The produce stands we passed by were immaculate and each stop was more delicious than the last. Our guide, Yimnah is sooo bubbly and personable. She has so much knowledge and you can tell everyone in the market loves her, as they all greeted her with warmth. We had so much food and loved interacting with the vendors and just being in the environment. Highly recommend booking this tour, since going to this market on your own as a tourist, especially if you don’t speak Spanish, would be intimidating and you wouldnt get a great experience out of it. Thanks Yimnah for giving us a lovely memory of our time in CDMX. P.S. make sure you show up HUNGRY!
via Tripadvisor
An Amazing Xochimilco Experience with Carla!
We had an amazing time on the Xochimilco Food Tour & Boat Ride with Eat Mexico! Carla was a lovely guide—friendly, knowledgeable, and passionate about sharing the local culture, history, and food with us. The entire experience was educational, delicious, and so much fun! We loved exploring Xochimilco, tasting authentic Mexican food, and enjoying the beautiful boat ride. Carla made the experience even more special with her wonderful personality and attention to detail. She was also very knowledgeable and accommodating when it came to dietary restrictions, making sure everyone could enjoy the experience. I 100% recommend this tour to anyone visiting Mexico City! It was absolutely worth it, and we would happily do it again. We would also love to experience more of Eat Mexico's tours on our next visit. Thank you, Carla, for such a memorable day!
via Tripadvisor
Fantastic Cultural and Culinary Tour of La Merced
We were fortunate to tour La Merced Market with our host Nico. Nico was extremely knowledgable, both about Mexican history and culture as well as local culinary traditions. He was friendly and thoughtful, and he was proactive in addressing any concerns we might have before entering the market. This point is important because the market is both fascinating and at times overwhelming in terms of crowds, tight spacing, and sights. Did I mention the food? It was simply fantastic. Ask for the suadero tacos. Stunningly delicious yet so simple. We had killer tortas. We also tried basket tacos, the tacos of the workers, and tasted the drink of many Mexican childhoods, Atole. I mention the basket tacos and the Atole because they are great examples of the broad approach Nico took to immersing us in Mexican culture and cuisine. Easily one of the best experiences we had in Mexico City and one that we wouldn’t hesitate to recommend. Ask for Nico.
via Tripadvisor
Amazing local food!
We had a wonderful experience, touring the market with Jimn. She was so happy friendly and knowledgeable. The meeting point was perfect. They were very kind to welcome us in because we were a little early. They do talk about petty theft being an issue in the market, but we did not experience that. We had delicious food and drink. Absolutely stuffed by the end of the tour. Do not eat breakfast beforehand. You won’t need lunch either. Wear sneakers. Bring a bag in case you want to purchase things. Must do! Would be good for children too.
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 3 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $131 to $2,400
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 136
- Verdict
- Strongly Recommended
Who runs this experience
Operated by Eat Mexico Culinary Tours, who run 5 experiences we rank across 1 city, with an average Outty Ranking of 74.0.
See everything Eat Mexico Culinary Tours runsWhy this scores 80
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Journey Through La Merced: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Mexico City.
How much does Journey Through La Merced cost?
+
Prices start at $131 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Mexico City usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Journey Through La Merced take?
+
Plan for about 3 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Mexico City is not rushed.
Is Journey Through La Merced worth it?
+
It holds an Outty Ranking of 80 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.9/5 across 389 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Mexico City, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Journey Through La Merced?
+
Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Journey Through La Merced suitable for kids and families?
+
Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 3-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Journey Through La Merced?
+
Around 136 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Mexico City can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
+
Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Mexico City and add a light layer if any part of the 3-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Journey Through La Merced start and how do I get there?
+
The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Mexico City within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Mexico City?
+
On Outty we rank every Mexico City experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Teotihuacan 3 Pyramids Tour + Hotel Pick Up + Lunch at La Gruta, Teotihuacan pyramids morning or afternoon without tourist traps, Historic Center Essentials: Mexico City Downtown Walking Tour. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Mexico City?
+
Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Mexico City?
+
Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
+
Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
What is included in Journey Through La Merced?
+
Included: One coffee, beer or another non-alcoholic beverage; Traditional Mexican candy; One agua fresca; and As much food as you can eat (enough for a large breakfast and lunch combined). Not included: Transport to/from the meeting and end points of the tour; Souvenirs; Tip for your guide; and Additional personal beverages, outside what’s included on the tour itinerary. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Where is the meeting point for Journey Through La Merced?
+
In front of El Nuevo Café Bagdad in the Historic Center. It is important to be aware there is a "Café Bagdad" in Roma Norte, this is NOT the right location. You can write "El Nuevo Café Bagdad" into your Uber app. Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your own transport and arrive 15 minutes early.
What languages is Journey Through La Merced offered in?
+
It is offered in English and Spanish. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Journey Through La Merced?
+
Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
Is Journey Through La Merced wheelchair or stroller accessible?
+
The operator notes: Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to Journey Through La Merced if the weather is bad?
+
This experience depends on good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.
What do travelers say about Journey Through La Merced?
+
Across 389 reviews averaging 4.9 out of 5, recurring themes include food and drink, knowledge and storytelling, the guide. The tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Ready to lock in your spot?
Pick a date, choose your group, and see the exact price for Journey Through La Merced.
Pick your date




