Back when we were living in the U.S., we’d check the weekly grocery store circulars for specials, clip coupons from the Sunday paper, and buy everything else at Wal-Mart and Costco. Low price and convenience. Get in and get out.
But that was then. Once we moved to a world with no Wal-Mart and no coupons, we discovered the wonderful world of local markets. Every country has them, of course. When we moved into our Cuenca apartment, our favorite quickly became Mercado Feria Libre, Cuenca Ecuador’s largest indigenous market.
Shopping at Feria Libre, Cuenca
Feria Libre (literally the Free Fair, or Free Market) is where people from the local area shop. Spread over acres of land, it is open every day of the week. It’s a fabulous place, full of bustle, color and atmosphere. This is one of those colorful places where a photographer might wonder if he had died and gone to heaven.
Don’t be a tourist, participate!
If you enjoy haggling, and don’t mind crowds and carcasses, you’ll find that Feria Libre is a fascinating experience and a fun place to shop.
It’s even better if you can speak Spanish, because if you don’t recognize something, you can ask a vendor what it is.
What else do you get at Feria Libre?
Besides immersing yourself in the local culture, you’ll get the absolutely freshest produce at the lowest prices. This is why locals, expats and even tourists shop here.
Unless there’s a sign with a price already posted, you don’t need to pay the first price they ask. As in other parts of the world, locals think North Americans (gringos) are rich, so they charge them more, hoping they can profit from their ignorance of local prices. Dan and I call it “being gringoed.”
It’s best if you try to negotiate (in other words, haggle) like the locals do. Vendors actually respect you more and are happier if you bargain a bit. When you buy a few bags of pre-packaged produce, which sell for $1 apiece, offer a lower price or ask for a yapa (a free, bonus product).
You can eat at the mercado, too
Like most mercados (markets), there are plenty of food stalls where you can enjoy a full meal. It’s mostly local dishes because their clients are Ecuadorians. Think fried fish, soups, or chicken and rice. Whatever they serve, almost every stall will offer aji on the side, a flavorful Ecuadorian hot sauce that’s often made with the tree tomato fruit.
The lunchtime meal is called an almuerzo. At $1.50-$3.00, it’s a delicious, cheap and filling option.
Pork is a popular food item in Ecuador. You should know that Feria Libre has a whole aisle full of vendors selling roasted pig. They don’t look happy, either.
But then, they eat guinea pig, too. Guinea pigs are food, not pets, in this part of the world. They call it cuy.
How about an Ecuadorian snack?
Another fun thing to do is to try some of the snacks, such as espumilla. It’s a sweet meringue treat (made of egg whites) that is served in an ice cream cone.
Try maduros con queso (grilled bananas sprinkled with local white cheese).
Here’s your chance to try something new
As you walk through the fruit and vegetable sections you may see something new. Don’t be afraid to ask, “Que es eso?” (What is this?) and “Es este dulce?” (Is this sweet?).
If you’re feeling a little more adventurous, say “Puedo comprar y probar?” (May I buy and try?) They’ll be happy to show you how to eat it, if it means a sale.
When is the best time to go to Feria Libre?
On Wednesdays and Saturdays, buses carry people in from all over the surrounding area to do their weekly shopping. Because the market is packed with people, we strongly recommend that you wait to visit at another time so that you can avoid all the pushing and shoving. But in any case, whenever you go, crowds tend to thin out in the afternoons, too, so there’s a little more room to move around and take pictures.
Taxis in front of Feria Libre, a.k.a. El Arenal, during a less busy time.
Safety at Feria Libre
After reading an expat blog post about the market, I asked a local friend if Feria Libre is dangerous. She said that although Cuenca has little violent crime, pickpockets like the market when it’s really crowded (namely, on Wednesdays and Saturdays). Any other time, she said, it’s “mas tranquila” (more calm).
From our experience, though we’ve only gone during the busy daylight hours, we’ve never felt unsafe at all. Dan walked around with his expensive, high-tech Sony camera gear in full view, and no one gave it a second look … except for those locals who didn’t want their pictures taken.
More about Cuenca Ecuador
For more photos of Cuenca, please enjoy our Ecuador photo gallery.
Other of our Cuenca articles include:
- Why Is Cuenca, Ecuador a UNESCO Site?
- Parque Calderon: the Heart of Cuenca Ecuador
- How to Find and Rent an Apartment in Cuenca, Ecuador
- The Cost of Food in Cuenca, Ecuador – Here’s What We Paid
Places to stay
For more about Cuenca, check out these Amazon books.
Pickpockets will often target tourists in the market but squeezing them between two or three people working together. Be aware of the “squeeze” when bags are slit and valuables removed.
Thanks for the tip, Beth!
Enjoyed reading your articles. I do not speak Spanish, and interested in retiring to Ecuador. I’m widowed, and your information has given me much to think about now in my old age.
I’m glad you’re finding our articles informative, Rudy. Cuenca is a great expat destination.
Yes! No Wal-Mart and no coupons means real food and real experiences.
Also, grilled bananas with white cheese??? WAT??
Haha … I wonder if they think that chocolate on bananas is odd …