For me, the Mercado La Merced is one of the most interesting markets I have been to in Mexico and the only one that overwhelmed me a little and where I was glad that I found a kind of guide right at the beginning.
First of all, we’re talking about a genuine and really big Mexican market here. Meaning: full, huge and completely confusing. Apart from that, there is of course pretty much everything apart from furniture or large electrical appliances: vegetables and fruit, spices, meat, breakfast stuff, flowers, shoes, clothes, pots, household goods…. Everything!
My original plan – as always – was to explore the market on my own. So I entered the market and was initially a little overwhelmed by everything. Simply because you really have no idea where to go first, because it felt like it was going in all directions at once and there was no ‘order’ – at least none that was immediately or quickly recognisable. As I strongly suspect that one could tell that I was a bit overwhelmed and you know kinda needed a second, someone spoke to me very nicely and respectfully and asked me if everything was OK. The result: I followed the person on his shopping route. And tbh that was the best thing that could have happened to me. Because that way I saw all facets of the market, found out how big and labyrinthine the market really is, saw a huge variety and diversity of things and, above all, didn’t get lost 😀 My orientation is really, really terrible. And La Merced is a nightmare for anyone without orientation. I promise. To be honest, I’m pretty sure I would have to have asked for directions at some point if I were alone 😀
In my defence, my helper told me that he only found everything so quickly because he knew the market, but that it had also taken him a while to get used to it. And that’s exactly what I mean by big and confusing. In the beginning, you will find whatever you will find by chance. Promised 😀 
Go or not? To finish up with the story, I think you should definitely visit this market as a sight, because I personally have never felt such a local vibe at any other market in Mexico City. You can just tell that it’s a really big market with really everything and also where the locals shop and…. I frankly didn’t meet a single tourist. So yes, definitely 😀 😊