Grocery Shopping in Mexico: What to Know Before You Go

Wherever I travel, one of the things I love to do is visit the local grocery stores. I get a feel for everyday life that I do not get from restaurants or tourist areas. Mexico is no exception. Half the fun is not knowing what you’ll find, or where. And the produce sections are amazing. I often find something I’ve never seen before (Google Lens is helpful in deciding what it is and if I want to buy it).

If you want or need anything from snacks to sunscreen, a quick trip to a corner store will save you pesos compared to what you’d pay at the resort or in the tourist part of town.

Whether you are staying for a week in a vacation rental, visiting for a whole season, or driving down for the weekend, learning the ropes of Mexican supermarkets can save you cash and add some local flavor to your trip. Here’s what I’ve learned about stocking up south of the border.

Where to Shop

Mexico doesn’t have just one kind of grocery store. It has several, and each serves a different purpose. Knowing the difference will save you time, and pesos.

• Abarrotes: These small neighborhood markets are everywhere. You probably wouldn’t shop there for a full week’s worth of groceries, but they are perfect for grabbing cold drinks, snacks, a bag of ice, or basic toiletries.

• Regional Supermarkets: Throughout Mexico, there are chains of smaller supermarkets (compared to the big box stores). You’ll see names like Calimax, Casa Ley, Alsuper, and Arteli (owned by Chedraui, see below). These offer a decent selection at good prices.

• Large Supermarkets & Warehouse Stores: You will find familiar names like Walmart, Costco (in the bigger cities), and H-E-B, alongside national chains like Soriana, Chedraui, and La Comer. These modern stores carry everything from fresh produce to electronics and clothing.

• Markets (Mercados and Tianguis): Mercados are permanent public markets, while tianguis are open-air markets that operate on certain days of the week. You will find both in cities and smaller towns throughout Mexico. They are great places to buy fresh local produce, food, spices, and other goods, often for less than you’ll pay at the supermarket.

• Pharmacies (Farmacias): Some large pharmacy chains sell much more than medicine. Farmacias Guadalajara, for example, carries groceries, household items, snacks, and baked goods, while other chains such as Farmacias Benavides also carry a selection of food and everyday necessities. I have also found Mexican vanilla and local honey at pharmacies.

What to Buy vs. What to Bring

Understanding what to bring to Mexico from the U.S. or Canada versus what to buy locally can be helpful when planning for your trip.

What You’ll Find

Most major supermarkets carry familiar essentials, although the brand names may differ. You can typically find:

• Baby items (diapers, formula, wipes)
• Beach gear (towels, floaties, umbrellas)
• Basic toiletries (shampoo, toothpaste, soap, deodorant)
• First-aid supplies
• Phone chargers and basic electronics

Non-dairy milk, including almond, oat, and soy varieties, is easy to find at most major supermarkets, but expect a smaller selection than what’s available in most U.S. stores.

Vegan products, including plant-based meat substitutes, can often be found in mainstream supermarkets too.

Packaged gluten-free products show up at chains like Chedraui and Walmart, but don’t expect a dedicated gluten-free aisle. You will likely have to hunt across the aisles by food type.

What’s Hard to Find

Specific U.S. or Canadian over-the-counter medications, specialty spices, and specialized pet foods can be tough to track down. Many American pantry and household staples are hard to find too:

• Root beer
• Real maple syrup
• Canned pumpkin or pumpkin pie filling
• U.S.-style brown sugar (piloncillo, a traditional Mexican unrefined cane sugar, is a different product)
• Sharp cheddar and some imported cheeses

If you’re trying to pull off a Thanksgiving dinner, we cover pumpkin, brown sugar, and maple syrup substitutes in more detail here.

If a specific medication matters to you, bring enough for your trip. Even familiar brand name formulations and strengths can differ, so it’s worth checking the label rather than assuming it’s the same as what you use at home.

If you prefer brand name Tylenol, expect to pay more. Paracetamol, the name commonly used in Mexico for acetaminophen, is widely available in generic versions and usually costs less.

Prices

Grocery prices in Mexico vary depending on where you shop and what you buy. In my experience, local produce and everyday staples often cost less than they do in the U.S. or Canada, while imported and specialty items can cost the same or more. Prices also tend to be higher in resort towns and tourist areas.

Items That Often Cost Less

• Local produce (I’ve found the produce to be incredibly fresh and flavorful compared to what I find in the U.S.)
• Domestic meats
• Fresh tortillas and anything from a panadería (bakery)

If you purchase fresh produce, make sure you wash and/or peel it before eating. Microdyn or Bacdyn are produce disinfectants commonly used to clean raw fruits and vegetables before eating. Check the bottle for dosing instructions and soak time. You can usually find them near the produce, in farmacias, and often at corner markets.

Items That Often Cost More

Imported brands and specialty products often cost more in Mexico. Depending on where you shop, that can include:

• Craft beer
• Some sodas
• Peanut butter
• Familiar U.S. snack brands
• Sunscreen
• Insect repellent

Imported products may have Spanish-language nutrition or ingredient labels added to the English packaging, although some are packaged specifically for the Mexican market.

If there is a particular brand of coffee, snack, or pet food you prefer, check Mexico’s import rules before bringing it across the border. Otherwise, save some money and try the Mexican brands.

Aisle Advice: Supermercados 101

A few things work differently in Mexican supermarkets. Use this information to navigate the aisles like a local.

Prices by Kilogram

Produce, meat, deli items, and other foods are often priced by kilogram rather than by pound. One kilogram is about 2.2 pounds, so keep that in mind when comparing prices.

Warning Labels

Don’t panic if you see warning labels on your favorite foods. Mexico uses prominent, black octagonal labels on the front of packages to warn about excess calories, sugar, sodium, saturated fat and trans-fat. Exceso Calorías means excess calories, Exceso Sodio means excess sodium, and Exceso Azúcares means excess sugar. They may look alarming at first, but are meant to be helpful.

Milk

Ultra-high temperature (UTH) pasteurized, boxed milk is commonly sold on unrefrigerated shelves in Mexican grocery stores. UHT processing and aseptic packaging are what allow unopened milk to stay shelf stable. It does not require refrigeration until after it is opened. Once opened, it must be refrigerated. Half and half can be hard to find, but Coffee mate and evaporated milk are readily available.

Eggs

Eggs are handled differently in Mexico than commercially washed eggs in the U.S. You will not find them in the refrigerated section. Once you refrigerate your eggs, you must keep them refrigerated

Bakery

Pastries and bread are usually self-serve in the bakery department of Mexican supermarkets, similar to self-service donut cases in many U.S. grocery stores. Grab a nearby metal tray and tongs, select what you want, and place the items on the tray. Take the tray to the bakery counter, where an employee will bag your items and mark them with the price for checkout. Fresh tortillas can usually be found in a cooler near the bakery counter also.

Baking Staples

Baking products like flour, sugar, cake mixes, and spices are usually spread across different sections of the store instead of grouped together in a single aisle.

Spices

Finding spices can be challenging because their names are written in Spanish. Use an app to look up the translation of the spice you want. If you can’t find it, ask a clerk by showing them the translation on your phone.

Most spices are available, either in little jars or bags. Some are difficult to find, like pumpkin spice, cream of tartar, and sage. Note that polvo de chile is NOT the same as chili powder sold in the U.S. Mexican chile powder is literally powdered chile peppers, while U.S. chili powder is a spice blend.

The mercados and tianguis are good places to find spices in bulk.

Chiles

Speaking of chiles, the variety of chiles available in Mexico is astounding. Whether dried or fresh, chiles are inexpensive, making it worth trying a few that are new to you.

Candy

Mexican candy often mixes chiles with something tangy, like tamarind or chamoy, which can catch first timers off guard. It’s not just a flavoring; chile powder often coats the outside of the candy itself. If chile isn’t your thing, mazapán, a crumbly peanut candy, is a popular alternative. Like other packaged snacks, candy has the same black warning hexagons for Exceso Azúcares (excess sugar).

Bring Your Own Bags

Many Mexican states have restricted or prohibited disposable plastic bags, though some stores may still offer them. Try to remember to bring your own or be prepared to buy reusable bags at checkout.

Paying at Markets and Smaller Stores

Payment options vary, especially at mercados, tianguis, and smaller neighborhood stores. Carry pesos, especially smaller bills and coins, as credit cards are not always accepted.

Tipping

Keep some peso coins or small bills handy for tips. If someone bags your groceries or helps carry them to your car, a small tip is customary. I suggest two pesos per bag, or a minimum of 10 pesos. Grocery store baggers are typically seniors who work for tips only.

It is also good practice to tip parking attendants who help guide you out of your space a few pesos for their help.

Spanish Shopping Words to Know

• ¿Aceptan tarjeta? — Do you accept cards?
• Bolsa — bag
• Cambio — change
• ¿Cuánto cuesta? — How much does it cost?
• ¿Dónde está…? — Where is…?
• Efectivo — cash
• Kilo/por kilo — kilogram, per kilogram
• Pieza/por pieza — piece/item, per piece/item
• ¿Tiene…? — Do you have…?

Bringing Groceries Back to the U.S.

Before bringing food home from Mexico, check the current USDA APHIS rules. Travelers must declare all agricultural products when entering the U.S., including fruits, vegetables, meat, dairy, and eggs. Whether an item is allowed depends on the product, where it came from, and current restrictions. Keep food in its original packaging and hold onto your receipts so you can show where it came from.

Next time you’re in Mexico, take a trip to a local grocery store or market. It’s a fun way to see part of everyday life in Mexico that you won’t find at a resort. You might even discover a new favorite treat, like spicy Mexican candy or a new chile to add to your salsa! Bring your reusable bags, have extra pesos for tipping, and enjoy the experience!

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