Mexico Guide
Northern Jalisco and Michoacán
Mercado Libertad
Almost alongside the Hospicio is the vast Mercado Libertad (locally known as Mercado San Juan de Dios), which Guadalajarans claim is the world's largest indoor market. Although the building is modern, much of what's inside is thoroughly traditional, and it's one of the few places in the city where you can still haggle over prices. Beyond the touristy souvenir stalls, you'll find curanderas offering herbal remedies, dried iguanas (for witches' brews) and the renowned Paracho guitars. There are also countless stalls selling all manner of regional food and vast piles of colourful fruit, vegetables, chocolate and spices and traditional leather goods from saddles to clumpy working boots. The market is huge, chaotic and engrossing, but before you buy crafts here, it's worth paying a visit to the Instituto de la Artesanía in the Parque Agua Azul, or to the expensive boutiques in Tlaquepaque, to get some idea of the potential quality and value of the goods.