Mercado 10 de Agosto

As a global traveler, I find open markets a terrific way to have a glimpse of local culture.

This one at 10 de Agosto is one of five organized public wet markets (Mercados) in central Cuenca. It has a very pretty facade, decked with murals👏👏👏.

Fruits/vegetables on one area, meat/seafood on another area on the ground floor level. The vegs/fruits are very colorful.

Perhaps the most notable feature of this Mercado is the food court on the 2nd level. The area for the Hornados, several stands offering roast pig, is very popular. 😎😎😎. The pork is very tender and lean, the cracklings to me is the best👍👍👍.

Excelent place to grab some local, homemade food, and yes, the food here is amazing. The ingredients can't get any fresher, and the price is dirt cheap!! A bit crowded, sure, but it's a place worth exploring. There are plenty of security guards, so you can relax a bit. Plenty of fruits, plants, and other unique sights you won't get in a shopping mall. Try the colada Morada, hornado, tamal, and caldo de pata!!! 10/10. -DarkCrest Traveler

I absolutely love this place. Tons of vendors with excellent & cheap food options. Don't miss the $5 hornado plates. The coconut juice is also to die for 😍

Also an excellent place to stock up on fruit

Fresh fruit and vegetables galore. Our go to place for both. Good hornado and juices as well.

Not a lot of tourists and good juices...if you're a vegetarian don't go on the meat section, the smell is overwhelming

Great place to pick up fresh produce, meats, and a wonderful and inexpensive meal. We had a fish platter and a pork platter. Lots of delicious food at $4 / plate. We will be going back.

I visited Cuenca for the weekend and toured this market. The quality of the fruits and vegetables is very high. Better than anything I've ever seen in a store. I also jad lunch here, which was tasty and very reasonably priced.

If you need it, they have it at the Mercado. Fresh ripe fruit and vegetables ready to be eaten. We asked for Avocados that can be eaten today, the lady picked them out and they were perfect.
Sights, sounds and smells that you just wont get in Canada or the US, just an amazing assortment of products.

You MUST try the Hornado (Roasted Pork) on the 2nd floor, every stand will give you a sample, choose one and get ready to enjoy some of the best Pork you've ever had. We chose Dona Elsita, she's been there for ages and it shows, MMMMMMM.

If your in Cuenca or any city in Ecuador for a few days, grab some fruit to eat at the local mercado. Its cheap and fresh.

This is a local open market where individuals rent space and sell their vegetables, fruits, meat, and meals
It is an experience thst is unique and a lot of fun, while being very inexpensive

A very organized and clean Mercado when I compare with the ones I saw in Antigua Guatemala, Leon Nicaragua and Leticia Colombia. I had limpia here upstairs, it was a different experience full of many herbal smells.

If you're in Cuenca this is a great place to shop local. Amazing variety of fruits and vegetables. Interesting meat selections. Clothes hardware, saddles you can find almost anything here.

This local produce market happens to be closer to where we stay in Cuenca so it's the one we visit the most. On the first floor is mostly fruit and vegetables, a meat section, plus some grains and hardware in the inner stalls.

Upstairs is more vegetables, grains, cheese, and lots of cookshops. One of the specialties in Cuenca is hornado - roast pig - which can also be found upstairs from several vendors.

Bargaining isn't really necessary as prices are pretty standard. The difference is with the size and quality you get for that standard price. $1 is a common price for: a bag of onions, a bag of green beans, a bag of peeled garlic, 3 papaya, or 5 mango.

For more recommendations on what to do in and around Cuenca, find our blog posts by searching: "Intentional Travelers Cuenca"

Chaotic, but an interesting cultural experience. I really like the art/painted walls, elevator column and passageways. We bought very nice fresh fish and vegetables.

This feels like a great place to find the next pandemic virus. All kinds of animals and plants for sale in all stages of preparation, including cafeteria food. A fun experience just to walk around.

Hectic!! But in a good way, bustling market full of vendors and feels very local here both by the menus and the prices and the people. Make sure you stop by to feel the life of Cuenca.

We have been to some great farmers markets in the US, but this is next level to us.

Lots of fruit - for example
4 mangos 1$
3 big or 4 small avacados 1$
10 onions 1$
10 peppers 1$

Central Market for fresh produce and all grocery.
They also have limpia on certain days

The freshest of fruits and vegetables at good prices. Be prepared to haggle. Easy walking access from City Center.

Fun place to get fruits, vegetables, etc. Not sure I would buy meat here.