What Grocery Stores are in Mérida?

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Mérida and food. Those two words go together like peanut butter and jelly. I love to eat and I love to go to the grocery store. It is therapeutic to visit the local markets, tiendas, fruterias, and tortillerias. Local markets are great but what about grocery stores in Mérida? 

Main grocery stores include:

• Walmart
• Costco
• Soriana
• Aki and Super Aki
• Chedraui and Chedraui Selecto

This article was updated in March of 2023.

And if you are looking for organic or specialty grocery items, then you shop specialty food markets like the Slow Food Market and local pescador Pablo Monse Ku.  More about these fresh resources at the end of this article. You may also want to stop by the Lucas de Galvez market where you will find not only grocery items but also anything and everything you might need. Yes, ANYTHING! 

Local fruit and vegetable markets are found all over Mérida.

Best Grocery Stores in Mérida 

My top three best grocery stores in Mérida are:

1) Chedraui Selecto Norte – just south of Costco on Prolongacion Montejo. It is clean with a great selectin and variety of items both local and imported.  

2) Selecto Super Chedraui – a smaller grocery but they specialize in gourmet and hard to find items, especially if I am looking for something out of the ordinary. WOW! When I found this place, I was in grocery-store heaven. I  spent 2.5 hours perusing the aisles, lingering in the Pan Department (Bakery) and drooling over the cheese selection. 

3) Costco – quality fruits, vegetables, meats, poultry, seafood and a wonderful bakery. 

Pros:

• Good variety of specialty imported products. 
• CLEAN. MODERN. BRIGHT. 

Cons:

• May feel a little “pricey” but you are paying for the clean, modern, imported experience. 

A great grocery store for gourmet items, specialty cheeses, and hard to find imports.
Chedraui Super Selecto – only one location in North Mérida.

Here’s something to keep in mind . . .

Just because you found it once, doesn’t mean it will be there the next time.

Why?

• Supply and demand.
• Cost of importation.
• Inclement weather can prohibit delivery.
• Seasonal impact affects availability of goods.

My best advice?

Grab the items you love when you see them (and even stock up). 

Small Local Markets are in Every Neighborhood

First, let me tell you every neighborhood will have tiendas, tendejons and a tortilleria. You will also find convenience stores like Oxxo or Six (Mérida’s versions of 7-11).

All these are the little golden gems of the neighborhoods (and I think you’ll just love them!)

When you have that craving for a snack, these little spots will help you hit the spot.

Six convenience stores are smaller versions of 7-11 and Oxxo and carry a limited amount of products.

There’s no doubt about it . . .

As soon as I arrive in a neighborhood, I search for the tienda, panaderia, and tortilleria (as well as the grocery stores in Mérida).

The difference between a tienda and a tendejon is that you can walk into the tienda while you typically stand outside the tendejon and tell the person inside (the store or house) what you want to order.

Be sure to look outside for a small, handwritten list of the items available for sale. You can always ask the shop owner for availability. 

Tendejons are smaller neighborhood stores that often offer quick lunches, tortas, and fresh juices.

Neighborhood tortillerias 

My first experience at the tortilleria was quite interesting. 🤦 

Here’s what happened . . .

I ordered “doce” (12) tortillas. The look of confusion on my face was apparent when I was given 30 tortillas.

The young man behind the counter looked at me and laughed. “Here, we order by the peso, not the count of tortillas,” he told me. 

When I ordered 12, I was ordering 12 pesos of tortillas, not 12 tortillas. 

As they say in Mexico, “Provecho!” and I rapidly consumed 9 of them on the 2 minute walk home.  

I justify going there because I tell myself that I am getting exercise and being healthy by walking . . . all the while consuming massive amounts of tortillas on the way home. 😃

Tortillerias are typically painted bright yellow making them instantly recognizable. 

Familiar Grocery Stores in Mérida for Ex-pats & Visitors

Walmart and Walmart Express. Yes! There is a Walmart here too. Notably, you will find familiar products in both of these stores. 

This is really important to note about these stores –  you are NOW in Mexico and the products that are common to us are now considered imports. 

You will find brands like Sargento, Brianna’s, Kikkoman and others but keep in mind that you will pay a premium import price. 

Pros:

• It will be familiar and feel like home.
• One-stop shopping.
• Finding American and International products.

Cons:

• It doesn’t really give you the authentic Mexican grocery store experience. Walmart Express will feel a bit more Mexican than Walmart.
• May seem a little pricier than the local chains. 
• I am not a frequent patron of Walmart in the states so I don’t typically shop at Walmart here either.

American Bulk Grocery Stores in Mérida 

Costco and Sam’s Club – bulk shopping at it’s finest. What these stores do GREAT are household items ➡️ bedding, exterior, toys and seasonal specialty items. They also have a great selection of electronics. 

If you have storage, Costco is great for paper towels and toilet paper (individually wrapped rolls). They also have a wonderful selection of gourmet items and fresh salmon. 

Pros:

• Wide variety of meats, cheeses, wines, and other imported items.
• Recommended spot for sheets, towels, and pillows.

Cons:

• Be aware your food will spoil quicker here as well as attract bugs and ants.
• It doesn’t really give you the authentic Mexican experience.

Mexican Grocery Stores in Mérida 

Depending upon the location in the city and the size of the store, the variety of goods will vary in Aki, Super Aki, Soriana and Chedraui.

Some of the larger stores carry household items similar to Wal-Mart with a variety of goods and products offered. Think large appliances, mattresses, electronics, fabric, and clothing. Smaller stores can be more like neighborhood groceries with only the basics. 

Aki, Super Aki and Super Aki Xtra are the same stores but will have more selections and choices in bigger stores.

Pros:

• You will definitely have a local experience here!
• Prices will vary but are a little cheaper.
• It helps you get familiar with local products and people. 

Cons:

• Be cognizant of product offerings from store to store.
• Selection and availability can be limited and/or not consistent. 
• Check expiration dates on all products. 

Each grocery store will have a unique personality. They will not all look the same or be laid out in the same way. Each one will be different with different products (but the same basics).

Fresh Food Resources in Mérida

This article would not be complete unless I told you more about:

Slow Food Market and Pablo Monse Ku

Slow Food Market Offers Locally Sourced Products

Started in 2010, Slow Food is an international grassroots organization with the following mantra, “Envisioning a world in which all people can access and enjoy food that is good for them, good for those who grow it and good for the planet.”

Be sure to arrive early at Slow Food Market on Saturdays in Garcia Gineres for the best selection of products. 

From their Facebook Page: 

The approach to agriculture, food production, and gastronomy is based on a concept of food quality defined by three interconnected principles:

• GOOD a fresh and flavorsome seasonal diet that satisfies the senses and is part of our local culture;
• CLEAN food production and consumption that does not harm the environment, animal welfare or our health;
• FAIR accessible prices for consumers and fair conditions and pay for small-scale producers.

You can find the Slow Food Market in the Garcia Gineres neighborhood every Saturday from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. 

Pablo Ku Offers Fresh Seafood

By choice and for health reasons, I am a pescetarian and only eat fish. As I began to research buying fish in grocery stores in Mérida, I was not pleased with the quality. So,  I reached out to many groups to ask about seafood.

Pablo offers weekly delivery from Progresso all over Mérida.

The information I received took me by surprise . . . 

The overwhelming responses came back referring Pablo Ku as THE GUY for seafood. As I began to try the delicious, large shrimp and fresh tuna and the huge scallops, I realized I found a gold mine! Not only was the price great and the quality was amazing, but Pablo also delivers.

Yes, that’s right – he delivers right to my door weekly.

I highly encourage you to reach out to Pablo on Facebook – he is super responsive to messages on messenger. Let him know you found him through Life in Mérida, I love supporting local and he is a MY ONLY resource for fresh seafood. 

Final Thoughts on What Grocery Stores are in Mérida

Mérida has a plethora of grocery stores, markets, mercados, tiendas, tendejons and other places that sell a variety of foods and beverages. I love to wander around the quaint neighborhoods to discover little spots that only locals know about (or wanderers – like me). 

1. Just because you found a product once, doesn’t mean it will be there the next time. Stock up if you find something special.
2. Supply and demand, cost of importation, weather, and seasons have a big impact on pricing and availability of goods.
3. More than likely you will have at least one grocery store close to you.
4. Frequent local tiendas and tortilleria to support your neighbors.

As an expat, grocery shopping and discovering new grocery stores in Mérida has become a fun adventure. Plus, it helps me stay on budget because cooking at home costs less and there is no one to tip.

You can find me chatting with other visitors and locals on Facebook about grocery stores and other cool stuff. I invite you to come join in on the fun and conversation!