Cancún’s traditional markets struggle amid high rents and neglect

Cancún, Quintana Roo — Traditional markets in Benito Juárez, both in the city center and the hotel zone, are grappling with an economic and reputational crisis that threatens their survival, according to market leaders and vendors who participated in the discussion forum "El Primer Cancún Mercados."

Rising Costs and Declining Revenue

Among the most pressing issues are exorbitant rental fees, which range from 15,000 to 30,000 pesos per month in the downtown area and escalate to 65,000 to 120,000 pesos monthly in the hotel zone. Compounding the financial strain are dwindling sales, security concerns, and reports of drug sales in the vicinity.

Deteriorating Conditions and Unrelenting Competition

All market buildings suffer from poor hygiene and infrastructure, while competition from shopping malls and supermarket chains continues to erode their customer base across the state.

"The trend is toward disappearance if they don’t organize themselves. We have massive shopping centers and powerful chains that are outpacing us," said Óscar Delgado, former leader of the Coalition of Artisan and Silversmith Merchants.

The forum, held at the Crónica library, included representatives from markets such as Kihuic, El Parián, Mercado 23, Coral Negro, and Mercado 28. Participants also criticized the lack of institutional support and internal disorganization.

"There has been a lack of political will from authorities, and among vendors, there’s a lot of disunity because everyone looks out for their own interests—that’s the truth," Delgado added.

Changing Consumer Habits and Urban Neglect

Eva Contreras, leader of the El Parián market, lamented that traditional commerce has been displaced not only by shopping malls in urban and tourist areas but also by the rise of digital commerce.

"People no longer need to come downtown; they have everything at the mall in their neighborhood—Cancún Mall, Plaza Arco Norte, Plaza Los Héroes," she said.

Contreras also acknowledged that platforms like Mercado Libre and Temu have worsened the situation by offering thousands of low-cost products with home delivery, making competition nearly impossible.